I decided it’s time for an article on my top business tips for new entrepreneurs, after a lovely reader from my newsletter requested advice on building business relations. I love getting questions, feedback and hearing your thoughts, so I can create better content for you ladies!

I have come a long way since being a newbie entrepreneur, so I know what it’s like to feel completely lost, and seemingly swimming with the sharks.

These tips have served me best in my own business. They’re in no particular order, nor a roadmap to getting started (I can tackle that in a different article if you’re interested). Instead, this is a list of secret, unspoken and unconventional tips you won’t find via a quick google search or chatgpt prompt.

This is the nitty-gritty behind the scenes. Grab a cup of coffee, get cozy, and let’s get started!

1. Always look out for your own self

When it comes to business, there’s no room for naïveté. Always look out for your own self. Sounds harsh, but it’s not. I’ll explain why.

In my personal life I always strive to see the best in people first and give them the benefit of the doubt.

However, when it comes to business, I have a completely different approach. I see everyone as a (potential) partner bringing great opportunities, yes, but I also recognize my own value. And first and foremost, you have to look out for yourself. Someone has to look out for your best interest, and it won’t be the other party.

Someone has to look out for your best interest, and it won’t be the other party.

This means re-reading and re-checking any agreements, terms, inquiries 30 times if necessary. Always re-check the fine print and make sure you’re looking out for your best interests, because I guarantee the other party will be looking out for theirs.

So remove naïveté from the equation, and stay quick on your feet.

The same applies to selfcare and mental health. If a project or collab is negatively impacting your mental health, or you’re burnt out, you can and should pause and reflect whether it’s something you want to continue or repeat in the future.

2. Follow a code of conduct

Developing a code of conduct is another business tip for new entrepreneurs that I highly recommend.

Decide on a code of values and stick to it!

A lot of people operate in survival mode when it comes to business, because most likely they don’t have a choice, it’s their livelihood. Or it’s simply their mindset and has always been so. Regardless, don’t take it personally! Everybody is trying to survive and succeed out there, they’re doing what they think is best for themselves, and so should you.

By this I mean: decide what your values, morals and approach is, and uphold those standards. And don’t change them for anyone (or any level of money or success) down the line.

There will be people who are wishy-washy, flaky, aggressive, or anything in between or beyond. There will be people who test you, who challenge your self-worth (asking you to keep lowering the price of your products or services or questioning your value), and you need to have a strong head on your shoulders if you want to stay in the game.

For instance, if your approach is diplomacy focused on a win-win situation, that’s the best kind! So use it carefully, and to your strength.

3. Decide on your worth, and add tax

To emphasize the previous point, decide what your experience, skills, time and energy is worth, and don’t ever discount that price to appease any clients or potential partners. Always ask more than that price so that if anyone insists on a special offer, you have a leeway.

Furthermore, only you get to decide if you provide special offers, not other people. No is a full sentence.

If any collaboration, agreement or offer feels off, or affects your self-worth, listen to your intuition and say no (if you have the luxury of course, I know not everyone does).

4. Fix your mindset & self-concept

How you feel about yourself & your beliefs regarding success and money make a huge difference (90%, I would argue) in the success you have and the opportunities you attract.

Speaking from experience, nothing will hold you back more than your own limiting beliefs — because even if you succeed, you’ll unconsciously sabotage your own success. So don’t get in your own way!

There are countless ways to work on your mindset, limited beliefs and self-concept. (Let me know in the comments if you’d like an article on techniques & tips for that.)

5. Nurture your connections

For those connections and collaborations you do resonate with, nurture them to the best of your ability.

As a newbie entrepreneur, it can be hard juggling a million tasks at the same time: you may have to do the marketing, accounting, writing, graphic design, customer support and who knows what else. You might drop the ball now and then, and it’s okay.

But remember to follow up on those different tasks, different successful collaborations you’ve had in the past! Write a to-do list if you have to and get to work.

You never know when an amazing opportunity springs out of nowhere, or you get a brilliant idea and the missing puzzle piece is that one person you networked with on Instagram half a year ago.

Stay open to opportunities, put your best foot forward, and let the universe handle the rest.

6. Believe blindly in yourself

Delulu is the solulu, especially in business.

Believing in yourself is definitely among the most important business tips for new entrepreneurs as well as seasoned ones. Confidence is always a winner ingredient in any business venture.

If you’re not the nr. 1 fan who believes blindly in yourself, who is? You have to set a great standard for others. Nobody wants to collaborate with a business owner who doesn’t trust their own brand, or doesn’t believe in their own products or services.

7. Reverse-engineer your goals

Visualize your path. Think of what you would like your products, services, online presence and overall business to look like in the end. The actual end result, the top goals, the dream.

Then reverse-engineer the steps to get there.

For instance, if you want to be a writer who’s on the NYT bestseller list, start by building a social media presence. Post quotes, texts, fragments, poems. Connect with your audience. Reach out to online publications to share your writings. In today’s age, marketing is everything, and a viral reel might just be your ticket to getting snatched up by an agent, and then a publishing house, and then the deal of your dreams!

8. Remember your “Why”

If you ignore all other business tips for new entrepreneurs but follow just this one… you still have a better chance at succeeding than if you ignore this but do everything else.

So listen carefully.

No business that is built with the sole purpose of earning money lasts, and I truly believe that. The universe is governed by many laws, including “as above, so below”. And if you’re only purpose is to receive, the flow stops because you’re not also giving in return (value, energy, being of service, helping others, etc).

Your “why” should be meaningful and passionate. Because it’s what will get you up each time you fall, it’s what will keep you going through the night when you have deadlines over deadlines, it’s the fuel that will keep you moving forward when nothing else does.

And it needs to stand the test of time.

For me, the reason is simple: I want to help, inspire and uplift other women. I want to be that older sister, that guiding mentor that I never had. Just writing this fills me up with a passionate drive to do more for you, my readers, because I remember how lost and alone I felt as a teenager, as a young woman, trying to figure out everything by myself.

For me, the reason is simple: I want to help, inspire and uplift other women. I want to be that older sister, that guiding mentor that I never had.

S.K. Lumen

So my darlings, pick a “why” that resonates deep in your heart, that you feel will get you up in the morning when you feel tired and lost. That “why” will keep you on track.

9. Success is not a race, it’s a marathon

Ladies, I’ll tell you right off the bat, success doesn’t happen overnight. Ask the CEOs of the world.

It could take 6 months, it could take 4 years or 10, but if you’re passionate and relentless enough, your success is inevitable. It’s just a matter of time and resilience.

And that is why I emphasize that success is not a race. Everyone’s timeline is different, and if you start a business with the expectation of an iron-clad timeline, you’re just setting yourself up for a lot of harsh realizations and most likely disappointment.

Have flexibility in your approach. Have a clear roadmap in mind, but be okay with pivoting and adjusting things as you go, according to the business’ needs.

All you have to do is not give up.

10. Your business is not a project, it’s a lifestyle

This may not apply to everyone, but if you’re a self-driven, ambitious entrepreneur like me, you’ll understand this advice. You’ll understand that this business you’re creating right now, it’s not just a cute little project or side-hustle.

It’s a lifelong dream that you’ll do anything to make it happen.

And that’s why I call it a lifestyle. It’s simply a part of your life. The tasks involved, the skills, the mindset, the attitude and energy your business requires in order to succeed, that’s all part of your life, your personality.

Remembering this will help you keep your eyes on the prize, and with a long-term vision in mind. You’ll better handle any bumps along the road, because you’ll understand… it’s not about some short-term reward or goal. It’s about building your greatest dream, even if it takes a lifetime.

It’s not about some short-term reward or goal. It’s about building your greatest dream, even if it takes a lifetime.

Because what’s the alternative? Never having tried, and waking up at 70 realizing you were too terrified to start or knowing you gave up at the first failure? Let that thought alone inspire you to keep fighting for your dream!

What do you think about these tips? Have you encountered any of these situations, and if so, what was your approach? Let me know in the comments below.