Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their very own.
When my two co-founders and I began a video manufacturing firm 10 years in the past, I actually did not consider we had been going to succeed. I had tried to begin a number of entrepreneurial ventures already, and deep down, I believed this one would finish the way in which the others had. I assumed we might give it a number of months after which be again to making use of for jobs.
As we began earning profits and securing contracts, it nonetheless took time for our early successes to really feel “actual.” Regardless of our money move, we had been figuring out of an condo, interviewing individuals within the Marriott foyer down the road and placing out fires continuously. Even when a lot of these issues labored themselves out, it felt — for years — like we had been at all times just some selections away from doubtlessly going out of enterprise.
However in opposition to all odds, Lemonlight charted a special path. We have hit unbelievable milestones over the previous decade: working with dream purchasers, breaking gross sales data, increasing our workplace house, shopping for studio areas and producing tens of hundreds of movies we’re actually happy with.
As I replicate on this journey, 5 key turning factors stand out — moments that made me notice we had been constructing one thing that would truly succeed.
Associated: Everybody Begins at Zero: 5 Methods to Jumpstart From the Backside
Turning level #1: Getting our first actual workplace
One of many earliest milestones was securing our first actual workplace house.
Shifting right into a 2,000-square-foot workplace was each exhilarating and terrifying. It was an enormous monetary dedication, but it surely felt like we lastly had a house and had been turning into extra established.
In my eyes, this transfer symbolized our transition from a scrappy startup figuring out of an condo to a professional enterprise with a devoted house to develop. It gave us a way of permanence and stability, which was essential for our morale and long-term planning.
Plus, we may lastly invite purchasers to our workplace with out feeling self-conscious about our makeshift setup!
Turning level #2: Going all in on video content material creation
Just a few years into the enterprise, we hit our subsequent essential milestone: deciding to focus solely on video manufacturing.
Up till that time, we had been providing a variety of providers from video to web site content material to social media administration, however this choice to hone in on our core competency confirmed that we had a transparent mission and objective.
It was a troublesome name, particularly when it meant turning away different potential income streams, but it surely strengthened our identification and helped us construct an organization round our strengths.
By narrowing our focus, we had been capable of deepen our experience, enhance our processes and ship higher-quality outcomes for our purchasers. This transfer additionally simplified our advertising message, making it simpler to speak what we did finest and stand out in a crowded market.
Turning level #3: Signing our first well-known enterprise shopper
The day TripAdvisor discovered us on-line and employed us to make their movies was one other surreal second. They had been one in all our first enterprise purchasers, and I keep in mind being stunned that they might belief such a small firm.
This partnership validated our capabilities and opened doorways to different giant purchasers. Working with a famend model like TripAdvisor for years was a confidence booster and a testomony to our high quality and reliability. It proved that we may ship on large tasks and deal with the calls for of high-profile purchasers.
Associated: Even By way of Humble Beginnings, Persistence Wins Over All, Says Gary Vaynerchuk
Turning level #4: Successful our first Inc. 500 award
In 2018, 4 years into Lemonlight’s life, we received our first Inc. 500 award. This was the second I lastly believed we had a professional firm. In my thoughts, solely “critical” companies earned Inc. awards, and if we might earned it, we will need to have been heading in the right direction.
This recognition was an enormous morale booster for our group and a strong validation of our onerous work and development. It not solely elevated our visibility within the trade but in addition attracted new purchasers and companions who wished to be related to a profitable, award-winning firm. This accolade reaffirmed our dedication to excellence and motivated us to purpose even greater.
Turning level #5: Elevating our seed spherical of funding
Elevating our seed spherical of funding felt like the ultimate milestone within the entrepreneurship journey. Lastly, somebody aside from our dad and mom believed in us and wished to assist what we had been constructing.
Securing this funding gave us the monetary assets to scale our operations, rent extra expertise and spend money on higher tools and expertise. It additionally gave us the arrogance to take greater dangers and pursue bigger alternatives.
The exterior validation signaled that our enterprise had actual potential and that we had been on a path to sustainable development.
Associated: That ‘Aha’ Second: How You Know When Your Startup Has Succeeded
Wanting again, these pivotal moments had been essential in shaping Lemonlight’s success. In 5 alternative ways over 10 years, they offered the arrogance, assets and validation we wanted to develop from a small startup right into a revered firm.
For those who’re by yourself entrepreneurial path, keep in mind to have a good time every milestone, study from each problem and keep open to the game-changing moments. Success usually comes whenever you least count on it, and your subsequent large turning level is likely to be simply across the nook. Maintain pushing ahead and embrace the journey!
