Paulino Jimenez Give Us His Best Tips for New Business Owners

Becoming an entrepreneur and starting your own small business is a journey of trial and error, says Paulino Jimenez. And while some lessons will inevitably be learned the hard way, this successful entrepreneur has some tips for new business owners that will help steer them in the right direction.

^{Don’t Try To Do It Alone}

No matter what type of business you’re starting, “No man is an island,” is an idiom that rings true. Even sole practitioners need a community to fall back on, says Paulino Jimenez. It’s vital that you network and build a supportive group of fellow business owners around you. These are people you can commiserate with, ask for advice, and lean on for help.

When you have a problem in your business–whether it’s finding the right accounting software, a hiring shortage, or inventory issues–it’s likely that other, more experienced business owners have dealt with it before. Learn from their mistakes and successes and apply their hard-won knowledge to your difficult situations, urges Paulino Jimenez.

^{Listen To Your Customers Says Paulino Jimenez}  

Especially when you’re starting out, it is crucial that you cultivate and learn from customer feedback. It’s easy to accept positive reviews and glowing feedback while discarding the negative. But the critical feedback is where the most opportunity for growth can lie, says Paulino Jimenez.

When you receive negative feedback from your customers, try to put aside your ego and really examine the complaint. What’s the underlying issue beneath the anger or disappointment? Did unexpected shipping fees change the final price? Consider where you could advertise that to avoid surprises. Was there a massive wait time in your store? Think about how you could make your process more efficient or if you should hire another employee.

And whether they’re complimenting your business or starting a flame war, it’s important to let your customers know that you value them and that you’re dedicated to growing, says Jimenez. Thank every person who leaves a review. And if it’s a negative review, let them know that you’re working to correct the issues that inconvenienced them.

^{Learn to Delegate} 

This is a tip that is difficult for every entrepreneur, says Paulino Jimenez. But it’s one that is crucial to your future success. The goal of every business is growth. But as you grow, you must accept that it will become impossible to do everything on your own.

Start thinking about what you love to do and learn to delegate what you don’t have the time or talent to complete yourself. Are you an artist? Stick to the creative and hire an accountant to handle invoicing. Stick to your gifts and delegate the rest. It’s terrifying to let go, especially when your business is your baby. But if you don’t learn to delegate now, you may end up watching it fall apart around you.