Business Advice That Would Have Made Us £Millions

Around 4 weeks ago I posted on LinkedIn asking, ‘If you were to go back to the start and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?’

The responses were insane. If we had some of this advice when we were wee nippers starting out, we’d be millionaires by now. ?

I was literally reading every comment like, ‘OMG that’s such a great piece of advice’.

Hence, this blog. Thanks to all 38 people that shared their amazing advice.

#1 Anna Perkins |Head of B2B Customer Marketing, Samsung Electronics UK

Define your own success and don’t compare yourself with others. Why be envious of someone in the corner office if that’s not what you aspire to, or the glamourous movie star if you couldn’t stand the constant attention?!

Equally, don’t judge others on their definitions of success! Strive for what you want: not what you think you should want.

#2 Julie Fowlie |Deputy Head (Learning and Teaching) at Brighton Business School

You do not know what you do not know, embrace uncertainty and stay forever curious.

#3 Louise Upchurch |Freelance Social Media Consultant

Don’t be afraid to say no. Not every opportunity that comes your way is right for you. If you are mindful about what you say yes to, you leave space for the right things.

#4 Karen Reyburn |Creative Agency Director at The Profitable Firm

Learn it yourself before delegating it.

#5 Beatrice Whelan |Social Media and Content Strategist

If the job you want doesn’t exist, create it.

#6 Jasmin Hayes |Marketing Assistant

Don’t be afraid to think outside the box, if ideas get knocked down keep thinking and be original.

#7 Ian Holmes |Tech Talent Resourcing Specialist

Don’t be afraid to ask questions, you’ll only be ignorant for a moment. If you don’t ask you may be ignorant forever.

#8 Luke Pollard |Director of Packaging Companies

Remember success is a journey not a destination. Success is made in small steps, not quantum leaps.

#9 Brendan Cullen |Managing Director At Survey Guru

Work harder.

#10 Amar Sandhu |Managing Director at International Insignia Ltd

1 – Agree everything in writing 2 – Stop dithering and just do it!

#11 Deirdre O’Flynn |Journalist

Don’t forget that you’re supposed to have some fun too.

#12 Laura Kenny |Freelance Social Media Marketing Specialist

Stop waiting for the right time, trust yourself and go for it.

#13 Amy Nolan |Artist & Business Owner

Don’t spend money making things that people don’t want or need. Sounds simple enough but can be easy to get carried away with your own ideas when working on your own.

#14 Charlotte Lester |Virtual Assistant at Charlotte’s Virtual Assistant

Don’t compare yourself to your competitors! We all have slightly different businesses and all have different expertise.

#15 Ben Powell |Head of Health and Safety at Clipline Ltd

Don’t worry about feeling out of your depth. A challenge will bring the best out of you. Self-belief is key to success.

#16 Disha Dinesh |Content & Digital Marketing Associate at DrumUp

Don’t try to be anything but yourself, because each piece has its place in the bigger picture.

#17 Lucy Hall |Social Media Strategist and Social Media Speaker

Don’t worry about what other people are doing focus on your own stuff and success will come. 😉

#18 Clare Timms |Freelance Digital Marketing Support at Cornerstone Digital

Don’t worry about what other people think of you and what you are doing. Be you, do it your way and trust yourself, then go and put yourself out there. 🙂

#19 Martin Brooks |Owner at Acolade Consulting UK Ltd

I could sum up my advice in 1 word: “Hustle” No one is going to build your business for you. Put yourself in situations to meet people. Follow up, ask how to help & how you can help. Leverage the technology like Twitter & LinkedIn to build your presence, pitch & professionalism & remember it doesn’t happen overnight.

#20 Kuldip Purohit |Marketing and Business Developmen Consultant

Don’t be impulsive. Do not get carried away by all the motivational stories on YouTube and do not quit the job at that MNC. I would have warned my younger self.

#21 Sandra Smith |Founder at Huddles Events

Money doesn’t buy happiness. Doing fulfilling work you’re passionate about does (and money usually follows).

#22 Amanda Webb |Social Media Trainer, Speaker & Consultant

You’ll like marketing more than you think. ?

#23 Emma Mackley |Freelance PR, marketing & social media management

Don’t worry so much about everything, it will all turn out ok in the end….

#24 David Bullock |Recruitment Consultant at SCI Recruitment for Scientists

Do a degree with a placement year, keep the year relevant to what you want to do in the future.

#25 Karen Davies |Creative Director at Pink Lemon Branding & Design Ltd

My advice would be not to stress about the future! Life has a funny way of working out. If it’s meant to be then it’ll happen so just relax and enjoy the ride.

#26 Richard Howes |Director at Bridger Howes Limited

Only listen to negativity when it starts to motivate you.

#27 Cathy Wassell |Founder at Socially Contented

Sort your email list out for God’s sake.

#28 Kieron Ward |Senior Recruitment Consultant at Quest Recruitment

The day you think you know it all is the day you’ve closed your mind, everyone you meet can teach you something if you’re listening!

#29 Peter Claridge |Transport and Warehouse Manager at Toll Global Forwarding

Learn to dance in the rain.

#30 Julie Mulvihill |Pre-Sales Director – Data at Callcredit Information Group

If someone tells you it can’t be done, challenge it using whatever information you can get your hands on. Only you can decide if something is achievable or not and if it is, is its value worth the effort?

#31 Bijal Barot |Marketing Executive at Kartasi Industries Ltd

Don’t be afraid to start over. It’s a chance to build something better this time.

#32 Bonnie David |Freelance Social Media Manager for the Coaching and the Wellness Community

Learn to listen with the intent to understand and not reply; don’t assume; don’t defend or justify; don’t make judgments or jump to conclusions. And don’t have unrealistic expectations of others or make unfair demands. Learn to rely more on your own resources and be less needy.

#33 Lisa Bailey |Propositions Marketing Leader at Equifax UK

Focus less on pleasing others and focus more on communicating your thoughts and needs and getting them met.

#34 Kieran Phelan |Founder & CEO at Cloud 360 Accounting

Pick one thing at a time and make it better, no need for perfection.

#35 Mike Best |Business Development manager at Wine & Spirit Education Trust

You can learn something from everybody.

#36 May King Tsang |Tea Consultant & Business Mentor

Being in business can often feel like the loneliest place on the planet, but it doesn’t have to be. Find a communiTEA of business owners to engage with regularly who will support you, guide you, inspire you and moTEAvate you.

#37 Lee Isaacs |Head Of Education & Lead Lecturer at Winematters

Always appreciate your own value and never let anyone else undermine that.

#38 Abby Abrames |Marketing Specialist at Valley Marketing

Things are going to go wrong! Making mistakes and failing is part of the process. Chalk it up to experience and keep moving forward.

Over To You (Comment Below)

If you were to go back to the start and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?