Eniola Yusuf’s Post

1%. That's the percentage of startups that make it. The rest fail. And by "make it," I don't necessarily even mean to the million-dollar level. Those are actually the hyper-minority of businesses even further below 1%. Entrepreneurship may start off as a sprint. But truly, it's not even a marathon. It's actually more like a triathlon, as it requires multidimensional elements of character. I've had to fly to four different countries just this month. Training for a triathlon demands planning, dedication, and sometimes, sheer endurance. Whether staying competitive with advancing tech or out on the track, every race starts with a goal in mind. → Know why you’re fighting for. →  Plan like you mean it. → Stay committed, no matter what. → Keep pushing, even and especially when it’s tough. Every finish line is the start of a new race. Keep your eyes on the goal, and never slow down until you cross it. ______________________________ Picture below is a morning flight back from Spring break. Imagine the fun they had to be this tired?

As someone who has run long distance races (although I don’t like to talk about it 🤣) and launched startups, I've discovered some powerful parallels between these two journeys. Here are a few insights to consider: 1. **Training & Preparation:** Just like training for a marathon, launching a startup requires meticulous planning, preparation, and dedication. Both endeavors demand a strong mindset, discipline, and consistent effort over time. 2. **Endurance & Persistence:** Running 26.2 miles tests your physical and mental endurance. Similarly, building a startup tests your resilience and persistence in the face of challenges, setbacks, and uncertainties. Success often goes to those who can keep going when the going gets tough. 3. **Setting Goals:** In marathons, you set specific goals like finishing under a certain time or completing the race without stopping. Similarly, in startups, you set milestones and objectives, whether it's reaching a revenue target, securing funding, or launching a new product/service. 4. **Teamwork & Support:** While marathons can be a solo endeavor, having a support system of fellow runners, coaches, and spectators can make a huge difference. Likewise, building a startup requires a strong team, mentors, advisors, and a supportive network to help you navigate challenges and celebrate successes. 5. **Celebrating Milestones:** Crossing the marathon finish line or achieving key milestones in your startup journey are moments of triumph. It's important to celebrate these victories, acknowledge your progress, and use them as motivation to keep pushing forward. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting your journey, remember that both running marathons and building startups are about the long haul. Embrace the challenges, stay focused on your goals, and enjoy the journey of growth and achievement. 🌟 #MarathonsAndStartups #EntrepreneurialJourney #StayFocused

Perfection or progress: which path leads to your startup’s success? The traditional approach relies on detailed business plans, while the lean startup method embraces agile adaptation. Swipe through the carousel below to compare their strategies on aspects like: ✅ Resource allocation - invest heavily upfront vs. iterate based on traction ✅ Market entry - launch with a perfect product vs. test with an MVP ✅ Pivoting - stay the course vs. adapt based on learnings What's your take on these approaches? Let me know in the comments. #startupstrategy #entrepreneurmindset #businessplanning #leanstartup #growthhacking

They’re timeless. 🕰️ Diving into these tales, you'll see how different businesses tackle tech in their own unique ways. Whether you're a mom-and-pop shop or a growing startup, there's a story that can shed light on your IT journey. 🚀 Got a tech challenge? Share your story or reach out to us for a chat! 📞 (424) 416-1516 #BusinessTech #TechSolutions #Innovate

Building a successful company is a marathon, not a sprint. We’ve just crossed our halfway point—both in business and in the Copenhagen Half Marathon last weekend! After four years of trying, failing, and learning, we’ve successfully completed our startup phase. We now have paying customers, and we’re proud to say we’re still self-funded. Just like a marathoner at 21km, we didn’t finish the race as the fastest runners. But we’ve built the resilience needed to finish, and that's what counts. The next phase is our scaling phase, where we’ll improve in speed, strength, and height. We’re ready for the full marathon of building a global product. Let’s keep moving forward. 🏃♂️💪 #StartupJourney #ScalingPhase #HalfMarathon

if your startup has built a fantastic product, recently received funding, and now you're shifting your focus to GTM, you're not going to want to miss this join me in today's GTM Essentials webinar - I'll share the 10 key elements you have to consider when building your startup's GTM it's at 12:30 pm CT today 10-15 minutes of Q&A at the end link in the comments 👇

Got a game-changing business idea? 🚀 SEA Innovation's Boot Camps are here to help you bring it to life! 💡 Get hands-on training, expert mentorship, and the resources you need to turn your vision into reality. Don't miss out, join our next Boot Camp and take your startup to the next level! #StartupSuccess #InnovationInAction #SEABootCamps

Entrepreneurship is a perilous journey, especially for the inexperienced. There are no straightforward ways of building a business, as dynamics change very often in a complex business environment. #startups https://lnkd.in/g4yvhkWj

🌍 Exciting times for STEP4! We had an inspiring meeting with Helsingin kaupunki – Helsingfors stad – City of Helsinki, where we explored how to grow within Finland's dynamic startup ecosystem and build a more sustainable future together. 💡 The Finnish startup community is known for its innovation and sustainability-driven mindset, and we're eager to be a part of it! This potential collaboration will help us push boundaries, accelerate our impact, and continue empowering companies to achieve their sustainability goals through cutting-edge technology. 🚀 Let’s work together for a greener, smarter, and more sustainable world! 🌱 #Sustainability #StartupEcosystem #FinlandInnovation #STEP4 #SustainableFuture #ESGTech #StartUpCulture #StepforLife

We Can Do Hard Things. Last year, I undertook a personal challenge: learning to ride and operate a motorcycle. This adventure was not just about mastering the mechanics of a bike but about embarking on a journey of self-discovery and resilience. More on that here: https://lnkd.in/gE7meCa9 To remind myself of the power of perseverance, I placed my motorcycle key on this keychain. This small visual reminder while riding reinforces my belief that with determination, consistency, and a bit of grit, achieving the seemingly impossible becomes possible. Life is a series of choices, some more challenging than others. Stepping into the startup ecosystem is similar to setting off on an exhilarating ride, fraught with challenges yet rich with the promise of adventure and growth. In this arena, the adage "choose your hard" truly finds its resonance. Being a part of a startup requires a unique blend of passion, tenacity, and an unwavering commitment to turning dreams into reality. Each obstacle encountered along the way is not just a setback but a valuable lesson, providing an opportunity to adapt, refine, and evolve our strategies and processes. This iterative journey of improvement and optimization is at the core of any successful venture. Yet, it's important to recognize that this path is not universally suited to all. It demands an openness to uncertainty, a commitment to lifelong learning and adaptation, and above all, relentless perseverance. The challenges we face are not mere obstacles but stepping stones towards achieving our goals, fostering growth, resilience, and the realization of previously unattainable dreams. And, I wouldn’t have it any other way! To my fellow startup team members and/or motorcycle enthusiasts, let’s continue to push forward with courage and determination. Let’s embrace the challenges that lie ahead, the lessons we'll learn, and to the triumphs that await us. Let's ride towards success, keeping the shiny side up and the rubber side down. 🏍️ 🚀 #startups