*Typing*

We are motivated by money. But, we’re also motivated by meaning. When building an enterprise, you must think about both.

If your only selling point is money, you will attract individuals who are strictly motivated by money. Sure, they might be talented. But, they will be unfaithful. They will leave you the moment somebody walks by waving a bigger paycheck and a flashier title. If your only selling point is meaning, you won’t attract anyone. Nobody works for nothing. Especially not those with the talent and tenacity you desire.

You want to build an enterprise that pays its people well while challenging them to do work that is truly meaningful.

Choose wisely when it matters, and quickly when it doesn't.

If you pick a fight with the toughest boss right from the jump, you’ll get pummeled. Instead you should start small. Find your footing in a tiny, uncrowded market where the competition is sparse. Some of the the biggest companies on the planet started out this way.

Netflix rented DVDs. Nike built track shoes. Amazon shipped books. Shopify sold snowboards. Toyota manufactured looms. Instagram made photo filters. Lululemon designed yoga pants. If you’re like most early-stage companies, the work you’re doing now is the worst work you will ever do. You’re only going to get better.

By choosing a small market, you give yourself time to hone your skills, systems and services far out of reach from more brawny competitors. With time, you will evolve. When you finally do take a swing, they won’t know what hit them.

Curiosity is one of those beautiful human traits that give way to other traits that serve you, your work and those you come into contact with. When you’re curious of yourself, you’re aware. When you’re curious of others, you’re caring. When you’re curious of the art, you’re inquisitive. When you’re curious of difficulty, you’re courageous. Be curious. If nothing else, be curious.

Don’t give into the hype. Huge followings aren’t indicative of competence, experience nor skill. They’re usually just an indicator that somebody prefers to talk about the work more than they like actually doing the work. This trait is good for gaining followers, terrible for growing enterprises. Hire undervalued talent. They’re hungrier. They’re humbler. They’re easier to work with. And, they’re generally better skilled.If you are hiring someone with a large following, be aware you are more likely to overvalue their capabilities. So, try and look at their work through an unbiased lens. Ask yourself: Would I still be impressed with their work if they didn’t have 100,000 followers?

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