The friend factor or people will support that which they help create

May 19, 2007 in Uncategorized. Leave a Comment

I would like to offer two more valuable lessons I’ve learned since starting my own business from scratch:

1. Get some help. Professional help.

I admit it. I’m an independent, talented-enough person who’s used to winging things. From school to the workplace, I always got by on auto-pilot mode, showing my best only when it was needed. I never saw the need for a Masters Degree or a workshop or refresher course. I preferred buying books and audio tapes and figuring things out on my own. Of course, going at it like this was learning by trial and error, and some errors were more irreparable than others.

The thing with having my own business is — especially if it’s a small business like mine — I can’t afford trial and error. And here’s something else I learned. I can’t afford NOT to hire professional help.

When I started out, I wanted to do everything myself. I was determined to make time from the mixing, packaging, marketing, delivery, etc. But when my health started noticeably deteriorating (“Please don’t wait until you get tuberculosis,” my mother said), I snapped out of my obsessive-compulsive state, swallowed my pride and seriously looked around for help.

My first instinct was to look at the Yellow Pages or at professional websites. But I’m glad I didn’t go with the first fancy business consultancy company I saw. Why?

Lesson 1.a Look first within your circle of family and friends for help

I didn’t think anybody among my friends or family could help me look for business consultants who would agree to a sporadic meeting for a low fee. But on a whim, I tried anyway. I asked around. And as I expected, I came up blank. But I continued down my list of friends and acquaintances, even checking the links to their blogs.

Then I found a small write-up and contact details from Sandy’s (the soul card reader’s) blog (remember her?) about a business consultant. Since, she (the soul card reader) has already figured greatly in my newfound passion, I followed my instinct and touched base with the consultant she mentioned in her blog.

I got a positive response from the consultant, and it turns out that she works in tandem with another rather big-time business development consultant who worked with business bigwigs. I got a lump in my throat, knowing I can’t afford a retainer for someone of that caliber. Still, I agreed to meet with them.

Lesson 1.b Luck is manipulable.

I first heard the line above from — who else — Sandy, the soul card reader. It’s simple enough to understand. But seeing it actually happen is nothing short of amazing.

No matter how big my doubts, I went ahead and sat down with the business consultants. If they proved to be the kind of people who can help me in my business, I would give them my best offer. If they couldn’t, at least I didn’t waste too much of my time and effort.

From the start, it was one good sign after another. First, they were punctual. A rarity in this country where almost nobody apologizes for their tardiness. Second, they didn’t choose an expensive restaurant or venue. Third, they refused my offer to pay for their refreshment. Fourth, they didn’t mention money or their own accomplishments straightaway. They focused on me and my business instead. Lastly, they took down notes and the minutes of the meeting.

It was as if they read my mental checklist. During our meeting, my heart was beating faster. I knew I had found the right consultants. I knew they could help me. But would I have enough to offer them? I thought that this was too good to be true and that it would take loads of luck for me to land consultants like them for the price I could afford.

I was honest with them from the beginning that I was a small-time entrepreneur for now with almost no capitalization. That didn’t seem to faze them, even when I mentioned the figures. In fact, they went ahead and told me they would help me with my business for a very minimal fee. I couldn’t believe it when they mentioned the figure. I almost jumped from my seat to shake their hand, yelling, “Deal!”

It turns out that having big clients afforded them the luxury to help small entrepreneurs like myself on an almost pro-bono basis. Of course, they would not be at my beck and call, but they would be available to guide me. Even on the first meeting, they gave me “assignments” that helped me understand my business and the cash flow. We have had three meetings and already my sales have doubled.

Sandy was right. Luck is manipulable. If it looks like I’m out of luck, I can always create my own. If I hadn’t asked, if I hadn’t mustered up enough faith to meet with these consultants, I would never have received my answer.

2. Never underestimate the power of friendship. Never.

Starting out, I didn’t make a big deal of my business to my friends. I would mention it to them every now and then, but until things became “serious” I didn’t think it was worthy of their time.

Soon, things did become serious enough, and most of my time and efforts were consumed by my business.

One of the greatest things I discovered was aside from your family, your friends — real friends — will always be there for you whether you like it or not. And thank God.

Of course, my family offered invaluable support for my business (they still do). But I didn’t expect my friends to give me support in quite the same manner.

But surprisingly, they were the ones who became genuinely curious about my products and how I made them. They were the willing guinea pigs of test batches and formulation. They were among my first customers and resellers. They referred me to another printer who did the job splendidly and, miraculously, on time! They were my most avid endorsers and cheerleaders. And they were even willing to be hired hands when I needed them most.

It’s amazing how my real friends genuinely want me to succeed, and even more amazing how they are willing to “lend me their shoulders for me to stand on” (borrowed from Andre Agassi’s retirement speech). Shame on me for being so surprised. Shame on me for not asking them for help in the first place when they would give it in a second.

Sometimes the most important lessons in business and in life are the ones learned out of the kindness of other people’s hearts.