“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” – Arthur Ashe
The idea of starting small might seem counterintuitive. We often hear stories of massive funding rounds and rapid expansions. However, starting small is a powerful strategy that allows you to manage risks effectively while setting the stage for future success.
Starting small means focusing on projects that are manageable and require minimal initial investment. This approach not only minimizes financial risk, but also allows you to adapt and respond to feedback without being heavily committed to one path. By starting small, you can test the waters, refine your business model, and understand your market better before scaling up.
Take, for example, the story of Julie Deane, founder of the Cambridge Satchel Company. With just £600, Julie Deane started a small business from her kitchen table, making satchels for her children’s school needs. Her modest start allowed her to slowly build the brand, understand her customers, and scale the business at a manageable pace. Today, her company, Cambridge Satchel Company, is a globally recognized brand and a testament to the power of starting small.
Starting small helps you focus on what’s truly important: creating value. It forces you to think creatively, using limited resources to solve problems and meet customer needs. This lean approach is crucial in the early stages of a business, where every resource must be optimized for maximum impact.
Action Step: Think about a business, or product, idea you have. How could you start this on a smaller scale. What is the minimum viable product (MVP) you can create to test the concept? Outline a plan to bring this MVP to market, focusing on minimizing costs and maximizing learning.
Starting small isn’t just about limiting risk; it’s about learning, adapting, and preparing for success. It helps you grow your business with real-world feedback and customer demand, which is essential for long-term sustainability.
To learn more about the power of starting small, be sure to check out our book of the week: “Million Dollar Weekend” by Noah Kagan.