💰 You Don’t Need Permission to Start

Grit Beats Talent

My parents didn’t have some magic formula for running a business.

They just showed up. Every single day.

At 4 a.m., the alarm went off, and they opened the warehouse. Some nights, they were there until 10 p.m., packing orders and loading delivery vans. They didn’t wait for the perfect plan, or some golden key to success.

Their actions weren’t always perfect, but their ability to keep going, no matter the obstacle, carried them from one milestone to the next.

As I build minded.studio, I face roadblocks daily. But I'm slowly learning that the next step always becomes clear – if you keep moving.

The ones who make it? They don’t wait. They start and figure things out along the way.

Cash Flow is King

This one might seem obvious, but watching my parents struggle to pay bills during the slow months drove the point home: cash flow management is everything.

Making money is one thing; keeping cash flowing is another.

I can still hear my parents discussing whether to divert limited funds into a new delivery van (asset) or pay the upcoming electricity bill (expense).

Profit means nothing if you can’t cover your daily expenses.

If you're starting an eCommerce business, cash flow will likely be your biggest barrier in the early days. That’s why I always advise against going heavy on paid ads at the start. Try pre-selling your products before launch to build some early momentum.

Relationships Over Transactions

For my parents, business was never just about the sale.

It was about relationships. Customers weren’t just numbers – they were people, with real needs, and my parents made sure they felt valued.

I’ll never forget when my dad drove six hours to pick up a special bag of bread flour for one of their regulars.

Customers weren’t always getting the cheapest price, but they kept coming back because they felt they could trust the business.

That trust? It’s worth more than any marketing campaign you could run.

Know When To Let Go.

In business, you quickly learn that not every battle is worth fighting.

With so much happening daily, my parents realized that stressing over minor setbacks, like damaged deliveries or returns, wasn’t where they needed to focus their energy as business owners.

Instead, they let go of those distractions and kept their attention on the bigger picture.

In my own business, I’ve made a conscious effort to minimize time spent on “busy work” and focus more on client interactions and growth opportunities.

Don’t Wait for Permission

If there’s one thing my parents ingrained in me, it’s this: you don’t need anyone’s permission to start.

They didn’t have formal education or a business plan. They didn’t wait for the stars to align or someone to give them the green light.

Too many people (myself included) wait for the “right moment.”

But here’s the truth: no one is going to hand you the opportunity. You have to go out there and take it – even if it’s messy (and lacks a 401k!)