Three Lessons I Learned From An Accidental Entrepreneur

Some people know they want to start their own company someday; it’s simply in their DNA. Others never consider being an entrepreneur  an option and happily build successful careers working for others.

For over twenty years, I was in the latter group, happily working as a B2B marketing professional for a variety of technology companies both big and small. I never had any interest in the myriad of headaches, hassles and financial risks of starting my own company. Besides, start a company doing what or offering what? No thanks, not me. However, things changed.

Lesson 1: Never say never.

What happens when you have that sudden: “ah-ha”, brain-child moment and create something for yourself to solve a constant nagging problem. Even better, your crazy, handmade little contraption is actually pretty damn clever, works like a champ, and your son’s friend says sincerely and emphatically “Connor, your mom is a genius!” Then, like a lightning strike, you realize that millions of other people have that exact same problem and need your solution.

That’s when I made the decision to go for it, leave behind my career, and start my own company and brand. It was as if someone flipped a switch in me and totally changed the trajectory of my career path… and my entire life. As an “accidental inventor,” I quickly and passionately became and accidental entrepreneur. I was and continue to be both excited and scared at the same time as I embrace the ups and downs of this unplanned, unexpected journey.

Lesson 2: Start with what you know and learn as you go.

I knew there was (and still is) so much I don’t know about starting and running by own company, so I began with what I knew. Since I knew marketing, I began in my comfort-zone of the various marketing disciplines. I created a catchy company name, found an available URL, designed a great logo, wrote the messaging about what my product does, set up my social media accounts, etc. By starting with what I knew, it allowed me to get my mind in order and secure some incremental successes under my belt. After, I was able to move forward and research the other aspects of building my company.

Lesson 3: Leverage the web.

Yes, it’s obvious and sounds silly, but the Internet is a phenomenal and indispensable resource. At each step, from searching for the name of my company and finding a patent attorney, to finding the right US-based manufacturer and various suppliers for product components, the Internet continues to be my most invaluable, go-to resource.  Surely, cross-check information by utilizing Google, but all in all, let the web be your BFF in walking you through the process.

So if you’re thinking about starting your own company, why not take some action today?

 This guest post was authored by Allison Santini

Allison Santini is the founder and creator of MyPhonePouch, a solution for wearing your phone when you don’t have pants pockets or purse.

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Main image via flickr.