Survival Guide for New Entrepreneurs
A First Timer’s Roadmap
Starting your own business is equal parts exhilarating and terrifying. I know because I’m in it right now. I’ve spent 25 years working across startups, corporate America, and SaaS ventures, helping companies grow, scale, and adapt. But nothing truly prepares you for what it feels like to go out on your own, to wake up every day knowing that success or failure is entirely on you.
I’ve been where you are. Wrestling with the fear, second-guessing every decision, wondering if I should have just taken the safer path. But here’s what I’ve learned: the real key to survival isn’t just strategy or financial planning, it’s people around you. The ones who guide you, challenge you, support you, and remind you why you started in the first place. Relationships matter more than transactions. Execution matters more than ideas. And mindset? That’s everything.
This guide isn’t a list of feel-good platitudes or generic business advice. It’s the raw, unfiltered reality of what it takes to make the leap and stay in the game. The lessons I’ve learned, some the hard way, are here to help you move faster, avoid common pitfalls, and build something real. Whether you’re just starting or knee-deep in the chaos, my goal is simple: to make this journey a little easier for you than it was for me.
Why This is the Smartest Career Move You'll Ever Make
Remember when landing a big corporate job was the ultimate career flex? I do. For me it was FOX Television & The Chicago Tribune. Man, did I feel like had arrived when I got those job offers. But times have changed. The traditional career ladder? It’s a relic of the past-designed to consolidate talent within rigid hierarchies that limit human potential rather than maximize it.
The reality is, the future belongs to those who own their expertise, not to rent it out to corporations. Work is shifting away from giant companies toward networks of highly skilled individuals who operate independently, people like you, who have something valuable to offer and don’t need a middleman taking a cut of their success.
Think about it: Why spend your life making someone else rich when you can build your own thing, set your own rates, and work on your terms? The rise of AI, remote work, and digital platforms means you no longer need permission from a gatekeeper. You don’t need a massive company backing you. You need a laptop, a strong network, and a willingness to bet on yourself.
This isn’t just about financial freedom—it’s about total career control. And if that excites you (or even scares you a little), you’re in the right place.
Start Enriching Yourself Yourself
I understand it. I lived it. For most of my career, I knew I had the skills to go out on my own, but I didn’t pull the trigger. Why? The same reasons you might be hesitating. Steady paychecks, benefits, and the so-called “security” of a corporate job.
But every time I landed a new role, within a few years, the same frustrations would creep in. The lack of vision, the inability to execute quickly, and the suffocating corporate culture that thrived on playing it safe. I watched as companies turned down brilliant ideas just because “that’s not how we do things here.” The worst part? Most of the people around me had never worked anywhere else, they didn’t know anything beyond the bubble they were in.
Eventually, I realized something fundamental: I would never be truly happy working for someone else’s benefit. For 20 years, I had built businesses, made others wealthier, and only saw a fraction of the returns. So why not build something for myself?
This wasn’t a sudden decision, it was the result of years of reflection, combined with the confidence that my experience had prepared me for this step. And guess what? The moment I committed to this, the fear disappeared. It wasn’t about the money. It was about leaving the familiar.
And that’s why you’re here. You know deep down that you can do more, build more, and own your future instead of waiting for someone else to decide it for you.
Welcome to the Game (Yes, this is a Game)
You’re stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Scary? A little. Exciting? Absolutely. The best part? You call the shots. The worst part? You call the shots. No more hiding behind the comfort of a paycheck. This is your game to win or lose.
But here’s the thing: You don’t have to figure it all out alone. This guide will get you started with some fast, practical, and no fluff things to understand and plan for, before making the leap.
Find Your Niche: The Intersection of What You Love & What Pays
You’re not starting a hobby. You’re starting a business. That means finding the sweet spot between what you’re good at, what excites you, and what people will pay for.
Your Niche Discovery Playbook
What do people already come to you for advice on? (That’s a clue.)
What do you talk about nonstop without getting bored? (That’s a passion.)
What problems are people struggling with that you can fix? (That’s an opportunity.)
Who has the money and the need? (That’s your audience.)
Action Item: Write down 3 skills, 3 passions, and 3 problems in your industry. Find the overlap.
Build Your Brand Before You Need It
If you wait until you “need” an audience, you’ve already lost the game. People need to know you before they trust you.
How to Build an Audience
Pick your platform: If you’re reading this, LinkedIn is likely your best choice.
Show up consistently: No one follows a ghost. Post, comment, and engage.
Document your journey: People connect with stories, not perfection.
Give away insane value: The more you help, the more people trust you
Action Item: Post something valuable today—doesn’t have to be perfect, just start.
Solve Problems & Package the Answers
You’re not here to sell. You’re here to solve. Your audience is already asking questions. It’s your job to listen, answer, and package those answers into something people will pay for.
The Problem-Solving Formula
Listen: What questions keep popping up in your industry?
Engage: Ask your audience what they struggle with.
Simplify: Break down the solution into a clear, actionable process.
Monetize: Create coaching, courses, templates, or guides around it.
Action Item: Identify 5 problems in your industry. Write down a solution for each.
Selling Sucks: How to Get Clients (Even If You Hate Selling)
Selling isn’t about convincing—it’s about clarity. If you’re solving a real problem, sales should feel like helping, not hustling.
How to Close Without Feeling Like a Salesperson
Start with curiosity. “What’s your biggest challenge with [your expertise]?”
Listen more than you talk. Let them tell you what they need.
Frame your offer as a solution. “I help people like you do X so you don’t have to struggle with Y.”
Make it stupid simple to say yes. No jargon. No overcomplication.
Follow up like a pro. Most deals happen after the third touchpoint.
Action Item: Have 3 conversations this week with people who might need your help.
Structuring Networking Meetings to Get Real Results
Networking is not just about catching up. Yes, relationships matter, but if you leave a meeting without a clear next step, you’re relying on hope. Hope that they’ll randomly think of you when the right opportunity comes along. Hope that they’ll take the initiative to refer you. Hope is not a strategy.
How to Make Every Meeting Count
Have a Goal in Mind: Before you hop on a call or grab coffee, define what you need. Are you looking for introductions? Market insights? Potential partnerships? Be intentional.
Do Your Homework: Check their LinkedIn profile. Look at their recent posts, connections, and any mutual relationships that could be valuable to you.
Steer the Conversation: Don’t just talk about what you do, frame it in a way that makes it easy for them to connect the dots. Instead of saying, “I just started a consulting business,” say, “I work with [specific audience] to solve [specific problem], and I’m looking for companies struggling with [pain point]—who in your network fits that profile?”
Make the Ask Specific: Instead of, “Let me know if you think of anyone who could use my services,” say, “I saw that you’re connected to [specific person], would you be open to making an introduction?”
Follow Up Like A Pro: If they say they’ll introduce you, send a follow-up message with a short blurb they can easily copy-paste. Reduce friction so they don’t have to think about it.
The goal of every networking conversation is momentum. A referral, an intro, or key market insight that moves your business forward.
Action Item: Before your next call, identify three people in their network they could introduce you to and prepare a concise ask.
Pricing Your Services: Charge What You’re Worth
If you’re pricing based on what you “think” you’re worth, you’re already undercharging. Let’s do some math:
If you made $250K in your last job and worked a standard 2,080-hour year, your hourly rate was roughly $120/hr.
But you’re not an employee anymore. You’re running a business. That means you have operational expenses so you need to 3x your rate to at least $360/hr. to cover expenses, taxes, and non-billable hours. MINIMUM!
In the early days, you might take a haircut to build a client base, but don’t stay in discount mode forever.
How to Justify a Higher Rate
Your expertise is valuable. Clients aren’t paying for your time; they’re paying for your results.
You’re not just “doing work”, you’re solving expensive problems. Position your service as a high-value investment.
Case studies and testimonials build pricing power. The more success stories you collect, the easier it is to charge premium rates.
Action Item: Set your base hourly rate at 3x your previous salary rate and create package pricing around it.
The Bottom Line
Entrepreneurship isn’t a dream, it’s a decision. Show up, build an audience, solve problems, and create something people want.
No magic. Just smart, consistent action.
Additional Resources:
Article - Why Building Your Own Empire is the Ultimate Career Power Move
Article - The Exhilaration of Building a Startup
Article - AI and Virtual Assistance: The New Age of Entrepreneurship
Article - Early Steps in Bringing a New Business Venture to Life