[keithwarren]

20+ years since I started my firm, we are very successful and I love our team and our work.

Few points…

Word of mouth is best advertising.

Prove yourself trustworthy and honorable, there are still assholes who will try to take advantage of you but on balance, this will pay off over time.

Don’t work for free. If companies want you to work because it will look good for referrals or something- run.

Don’t work for equity or revenue shares without some cash as part of the deal. Cash is skin in the game, it makes everyone act differently.

Treat your team better than you wish you were treated - they are your most important relationships.

Be willing to fire clients.

Fancy contracts are a waste of time, if you ever get to the point after work has begun that you are talking about wording in a contract - you already lost.

Lastly…learn to delegate, I spent way too much time doing too much of the work myself- sharing the load is a superpower.

OP or anyone else thinking of doing this, feel free to reach out for a longer chat on the topic.

[bitwize]

> Don’t work for free. If companies want you to work because it will look good for referrals or something- run.

Obligatory The Oatmeal: https://theoatmeal.com/comics/exposure

[ggwp99]

I proposed to companies to work one week for free with my team (we do not have paid clients yet) for testimonials that I can add later on to my website.