James Sackl on Starting a Business: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Thinking about starting a business? You’re not alone. According to the US Small Business Administration, there are over 30 million small businesses in the United States. That’s a lot of competition. But don’t let that discourage you! Just because there are a lot of businesses out there doesn’t mean there isn’t room for yours. In fact, now is a great time to start a business. Thanks to technology, it’s easier than ever to get your business off the ground.

But starting a business is not all rainbows and butterflies. It’s hard work. Really hard work. You’ll have good days and you’ll have bad days. You’ll make mistakes and you’ll learn from them. But if you’re prepared for the journey, the rewards can be incredible. Just ask James Sackl. We sat down with James to get his thoughts on what it takes to start a business and what you can expect along the way. Here’s what he had to say: 

On Starting a Business: “Expectations vs Reality”

One of the biggest things James says he learned while starting his businesses is that expectations rarely match reality—and that’s okay! “In my experience, it always takes twice as long and costs twice as much as you think it will,” says James. “That’s just the nature of starting a business.” So when you’re putting together your business plan, be realistic about your timeline and your budget. Build in some wiggle room so you’re not scrambling to make things happen at the last minute. 

On Managing Your Time: “There’s No Such Thing as Work-Life Balance”

For James, one of the most challenging things about being a business owner is managing his time. “There’s no such thing as work-life balance,” he says. “At least not in the beginning.” When you’re first starting out, expect to be working around the clock—nights, weekends, holidays—to get your business off the ground. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it in the end. And as your business grows and becomes more established, you’ll find that you have more time for other things in your life. 

On Making Mistakes: “Embrace Them!” 

We all make mistakes—even successful entrepreneurs like James Sackl! The key is to learn from them so you don’t make the same mistake twice (or at least not too many times). “I’ve made plenty of mistakes,” says James with a laugh. “And I’m sure I’ll make plenty more in the future.” His advice? “Don’t beat yourself up over them and don’t be afraid to embrace them!” Being able to laugh at yourself is an important quality for any entrepreneur—it shows that you’re resilient and capable of overcoming setbacks. 

Conclusion:

So there you have it! Straight from the mouth of an entrepreneur himself, this is what you can expect when starting a business. It won’t be easy—expect long hours and lots of hard work—but it will be worth it in the end. And remember, everyone makes mistakes! The important thing is that you learn from them so you can continue growing and moving forward with your business goals.