Guiding principles that define our approach to business
Building a startup is never a linear journey. It’s a maze of twists and turns, and we are intimately familiar with this journey because we’ve walked it ourselves. And through that walk, we created our startup philosophy.
80% of success is showing up
Success favours those who are proactive, take action, and actively pursue their goals, those who show up for their dreams, and put in the work day in and day out. And showing up is more than just physically being present; it entails a mindset of commitment, dedication, and perseverance. It’s about making a conscious choice to prioritise one’s goals and responsibilities, even when faced with obstacles, distractions, or setbacks.
Ideas are easy, execution is everything
Having a great idea is important, but it’s just the starting point. What makes ideas happen is relentless action, which involves overcoming challenges, navigating obstacles, and adapting to changing circumstances along the way. Execution is about making things happen, even in the face of uncertainty and adversity. It’s about grit and perseverance, and the ability to push forward, never giving up, despite the odds.
If you don’t love your product, nobody will
Passion for your product is essential for the success of your startup. If you, as the founder, do not genuinely love and believe in what you’re offering, it’s unlikely that others – potential customers, investors, or employees – will be enthusiastic or convinced by it either. When you truly love your product, it shows in the way you approach work; your enthusiasm is contagious, and it influences your team, and your customers.
3 product principles that served us well:
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Who asked for it?
Ask this question when adding to the product. It keeps you disciplined. There needs to be someone who wants that thing, and that someone can’t be you.
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No discount on design
Good design is intuitive, user-friendly, and aesthetically pleasing, which improves customer experience, and helps products stand out from the competition.
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Is your product as awesome as it could be, probably not
Continuous pursuit of excellence and the belief that there’s always room for improvement helps keep a competitive edge, and attract and retain customers.
Doing that one extra thing every day, makes all the difference
Every improvement made to the product can have a significant impact on its market-fit, user experience, and NPS. Doing that one extra thing for the product every day helps startups move faster, validate their ideas quicker, and iterate on their product more efficiently. Those ‘extra things’ accumulate over time to produce significant results, helping startups gain competitive advantage and increase their chances of success.