26 Lessons from a 26 yo CEO #3

Forbes Women: Young Entrepreneur Council 7/11 Enhanced by Peter/CXO Wiz4biz 8/13

Shama Kabani (26) is the award winning CEO of MarketingZen.com, a full service Web Marketing firm in Dallas. She is also the author of the best-selling “The Zen of Social Media Marketing”; and hosts her own Web TV show. She was born in India and moved to USA when she was 9.

19. A Support Network is crucial. You can’t do it alone. You don’t have the time or talent. Building a personal & professional support network is imperative to having a successful company. Besides, you’ll get lots of good input from them – on how to run your business better.

20. Give “Lady Luck” her due. Luck has played a huge part in my life. I don’t deny it. When you get it, grab it & hang on. I am just grateful that I had “good luck” just at the right time – to succeed.

21. Hard work is a given. I’ve learned that there is always work that will need to be done. The task list is never complete. So, just do the best you can and move on to the next task.

22. It IS lonely at the top. But the view & the accommodations are both amazing. Enjoy.

23. Mostly ignore your Critics. They like the power the “anonymity” the Internet gives them. Have a quick look and see if they have an idea that can improve your product, otherwise, don’t pay them any more attention. Do it your way !!! You know your Customers & Product better than anyone. You know what’s right for your Customers.

24. Be picky when choosing your Friends. My friend list (and I don’t mean Facebook) is short. Surround yourself with people who “inspire” you and phase out the ones the “tire” you; drag you down.

25. Karma exists in Business & Life. “What goes around, comes around.” The older I get, the more I see this being true. Think twice before you act; consider the consequences.

26. Being a CEO means being a CVO – Chief Value Officer. Always ask yourself: How can I create more value for our clients? Our prospects? Our internal team? The answers will guide you to keep building a better company and you’ll feel better about it.

Comments: Are there any Lessons from Starting a Business that you’d like to share?