12 Things I Learned Since Starting the KINN

It’s crazy to think that just over 18 months ago, right before July 2023, the KINN was just an idea.

So much has happened since then, and so many things have come together that I never would have expected.

It’s been an incredible journey watching our community of conscious founders grow.

And a truly incredible learning experience.

One of the cornerstones of the KINN, and Conscious Founders, is sharing knowledge and experience with other like-minded entrepreneurs. 

So to celebrate our one year anniversary, I’ve compiled a list of the 12 most valuable things I’ve learned since starting KINN 12 months ago.

1. Find creative ways to finance.

Financing your startup doesn’t have to be done by following the same playbook as everyone else.

Don’t get me wrong, we were bootstrapping from the beginning. 

But something as simple as credit cards can be a gamechanger. 

If you’re eligible, companies like Fund&Grow offer interest-free business credit cards for 12-18 months for up to $250k.

2. Team is paramount. Hire freelance first.

The phrase “hire slow, fire fast” rings true. 

And part of hiring slow can be starting with freelance projects before full time.

This way, you’ll learn what they’re like to work with and whether they’re a good match before committing further.

3. Be frugal and resourceful with every single line item.

Pay attention to who is spending money where, and on what–especially in the beginning. 

If your office is in a physical space rather than remote, make sure everything fits within your budget! Designers might not always tell you exactly how much money is going into each particular piece. 

You can save hundreds, if not thousands, by paying attention to this sort of thing, and by finding creative ways to make the space sleek, professional, and comfortable on your budget. 

4. Find mutually beneficial partners and collaborators.

This speaks for itself––if your partners and collaborators get as much value from the relationship as you do, they’ll be that much more invested in your success.

It pays to get creative. Seeking out people and groups with values that align with your business can lead to unexpected, long-lasting connections. 

5. Word of mouth is the best marketing.

Digital marketing has come a long way, but people are much more likely to engage with a business/product if someone who loves it recommends it to them.

6. Trying to create a product people love should be the main focus.

Your team should have this top-of-mind as well.

All our energy has gone into the one question “How can we make the KINN the best place possible for conscious entrepreneurship?”

That cascades out to our physical space, events, resources, team, etc.

7. Maintain close proximity to people who know more than you in areas you’re lacking knowledge.

This expedites the “I don’t know how this works” or “I’m not sure what to do here” process.

Work with people who know what they’re doing. It’ll save you years of iteration. 

8. Really understand your values.

Sticking to your values is a given. But you should really spend time thinking about your values as well, and deepening your own understanding of them.

Bob Igor, CEO of Disney, recently shared that one of the things the most legendary and sustainable brands have in common is their unwavering commitment to a clear set of values.

At The KINN – our mission, vision and values is a factor in every business decision we make.

9. When it comes to co-founders, make sure your personalities match.

As I spoke about in #2, do some projects with your co-founders and other people you’ll be spending a lot of time with before you really commit to anything with them.

If your personalities clash or just don’t quite gel right, it makes it that much harder to go to work every day, which in turn can negatively affect your business. Make sure you understand the motivations of people you’ll be working with as well. 

10. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

Cliche’d as the phrase is, it’s true. Balance is so important. 

Think of yourself, and your business itself, like an athlete. At times you’ll be pushing as hard as you can, and at other times you’ll need to slow down and recover. This could mean rest, or it could mean re-evaluating any areas in your business that are underperforming or not working.

11. You must create systems as early as you can.

This one is extremely important. What can you automate? What else can you automate?

With the rapid evolution of AI tools available to us, you need to be on top of the technology and put it to use in as many areas as you can if you want your business to thrive today.

For example Hubspot has been an amazing resource for managing event guest follow up and enrolling new members more seamlessly.

12. Start very small. Don’t try to take on too much too soon.

We started as an accelerator. We didn’t have a physical space. Over time, that led to something else after getting a better understanding of the customer and what they wanted––but initially, it allowed us to keep our focus on the business rather than being overwhelmed by the demands of creating an office. 

You should also stay in a niche target audience when you’re starting out. Get that right first, and then you can broaden. 

More to come soon.

Cheers,

Oliver