Some people are full of business wisdom, while others, well,
aren't. These entrepreneurs reveal the startup advice of the
wise and not-so-wise:
Ike Iregbulem, 30, founder and CEO of Opulent Lifestyle, a
members-only, VIP luxury concierge service in New York City
2005 projected sales: $2 million
Best Advice: "Being raised in New York, we always
find a way to make something happen, and my mother always told me,
'There are several ways to skin a cat.' During the
financing phase, I was told that there were a variety of avenues to
travel down in regards to acquiring financing and to not limit
myself to only one avenue."
Worst Advice: "An acquaintance advised me not to
start my own company because there are too many risks involved. The
way I see it, if there isn't any risk, then there isn't any
reward."
Terry Espy, 46, founder of The Momentum Group, a full-service
development and design firm in Raleigh, North Carolina, that
provides turnkey real estate project management
2005 projected sales: $3 million
Best Advice: "[I was told] to figure out what [I]
love and am passionate about and turn that into a business--without
burning out that passion through my business."
Worst Advice: "I was advised to expand and grow my
business very fast in the beginning. However, my company was in a
volatile niche market, and funding for new growth was often taken
away when customers had difficulties and were forced to close their
businesses."
Gini Dietrich, 32, founder of Arment
Dietrich, a PR firm in Chicago that specializes in the food and
retail markets, with a special emphasis on fashion and
beauty
2004 sales: $1.5 million
Best Advice: "Join networking groups--the business-
and professional service-oriented [types]. The referrals you get
from them are phenomenal."
Worst Advice: "When I was researching starting my
business three years ago, I didn't really understand how the
'getting paid' notion worked. So I asked a few business
owners. Looking back, the most outlandish advice I got was,
'Don't open a business account. Take all of the checks you
get from clients, and put them right into your personal account.
You'll be filthy rich!' Well, if I'd done that, I
wouldn't have $1.5 million in revenue two years after
incorporating, nor would I have 18 clients and four
employees."