Startup Mindset shift
Sharing insights and lessons learned from being inside the startup world, with a focus on the mindset shifts in creativity, financial perspective, and looking at the world through new, innovative eyes.
Working in the startup space means a HUGE change from the corporate environment.
You’ll learn about how to see things from a more creative angle (thanks largely to the crazy cool and innovative people surrounding you), how to navigate what launching a startup means to your bottom line, and how to stay on the cutting edge.
When I landed in the startup community, the new brand I was involved with was invited to an accelerator in Austin. The accelerator featured mentorships and quick 1-1s to introduce people to others with varying levels of expertise in different areas.
Something really struck me in the midst of these interactions with so many creative and innovative minds: a craving for risk, the unknown, and hard work. It was completely inspirational!
There was an appetite for looking around the table and saying, “Wow! What kinds of things can I invest in? What can I help to build? What amazing things are happening?”
For me, interacting with this group of very smart, very engaged people changed my mindset.
Sure, with startups, there’s risk – but what worthwhile things in life aren’t risky?
What’s your motivation?
When my daughter was diagnosed with scoliosis, one of the things that we were given as an option for a brace was a device that had never changed, designwise, in decades. Now, some things just work, right? The old tried-and-true isn’t always a bad thing, so there’s often less of a pressing need to improve something like this, but how do you know for sure that innovation won’t make a huge difference?
Patients would put these older-style braces on, but the buckles were in the back, so even going to the bathroom was a challenge. So for 30 years, people were sort of struggling with this device, because no one had taken the opportunity to advance this particular piece of equipment. There were some different kinds of braces to try out now, so that wasn’t the only option available, but it was pretty antiquated.
So on one hand, here my family was, with a new diagnosis, and some of these really archaic solutions were being presented to us, at the same time that I was entering the startup space and seeing the benefits of innovation and thinking outside the box.
It was a pretty jarring juxtaposition!
For that particular need, there were so many potential great solutions that could be further explored, like 3D printing (already being used to customize all kinds of orthopedic equipment) to create a more affordable option, so that really led to a mind shift for me. I decided to start a community where patients and families could learn about these options and share data points about health care, diagnoses, and equipment.
People with inspired ideas to improve an already-existing item like a back brace are illustrative of the sort of creative spirit it takes to enter the startup environment.
The energy surrounding the startup space, and being around people who both encourage and excite you, is amazing. It makes you look at things differently – the way you work, even the way you live.
What is risk?
Another huge, huge change to your mindset in the world of startups is how you look at making a living and driving your new venture to profitability.
You might not be receiving a paycheck every two weeks, a massive change for most of us after working for others for most of our adult lives. It’s a different kind of work, a new kind of financial model. It’s very different to what most are accustomed to in terms of goals and personal growth, unlike what I’d experienced as a part of more-established corporate America at Dell and at Walmart’s home office.
So of course you’ll need to be prepared for the unexpected. It also means having a plan for how you will manage your finances and stay afloat during difficult times.
The startup mindset involves taking risks, being flexible, and having a growth-oriented attitude. if you want to succeed in the startup world, you’ll have to push yourself out of the comfort zone; you must be prepared for failure and have an open mind when it comes to learning from mistakes. Startups are built on quick pivots and creative solutions — be prepared to think outside the box and come up with new ideas on the fly.
It’s a vulnerable position to be in. Cultivating an appetite for risk-taking is crucial. That means you can’t doubt yourself when it comes to taking initiative. Every day you are creating something new and testing it. It’s never been done before so you have to get used to presenting and getting feedback, because nothing is going to be perfect the first time out the door.
In a startup, you’ll have lots of opportunities to take charge and make decisions without someone watching over your shoulder — you will need strong discipline but don’t be afraid to get out there and start making moves! You know what they say, just start even if you don’t have all the answers.
What’s new–and what’s coming?
Finally, another lesson you’ll learn is how to keep an eye on what’s next and planning ahead (but in a nimble, agile way; you should have a Plan B, a Plan C, and an ability to come up with D!) is another key element to success as you work, but this is also an ongoing process as you iterate your ideas internally, with your “sounding board people,” and finally, to investors and the public. Startups rely heavily on collaboration—encourage open dialogue between colleagues, share information freely, and never be afraid to ask questions if something isn't clear!
It’s a perpetual process, learning new things. Because of this, you’ll always be focused on innovation: how can I be a part of something new or build something new?
New companies are created every day to fill a niche; someone looked around them and wondered why some product or service is archaic and inefficient, but as the founder of a startup, you have to look beyond that. You have to consider what your product can offer to fill the next niche as it develops.
As more and more startup entrepreneurs come up with innovative ideas, it is becoming increasingly clear that there is no limit to what can be achieved when you look around and ask why something isn't working as well as it should be.
You begin to look at every advance through fresh eyes. The development of things like ChatGPT, or any of the many new AI art tools, for example, pose some challenges to people working in marketing or with content. When you’re in startup mode, you’ll look at breakthroughs like these not as obstacles or challenges to what you’re planning to do, but as leading-edge tools you can use to make your newest enterprise even better.
It’ll be crucial for you to stay in the know and be aware of the latest advances, and become an early adopter in areas besides technology. What’s new in management and work styles? How can I build a space that attracts not only investment but also a support staff and an audience/customer base? What are some new ways of doing things?
Being around creative and driven people and learning from them, accepting that you’ll need to assume some financial risk, and a commitment to ongoing innovation are crucial when it comes to assuming a startup mindset.
Are you ready?