From the Ground Up

Starting a business can give you a permanent addiction to lattes. I’m on the sweet-coffee-bean-nectar, referred to as “juice” ‘round the home. Make it at home, hit a local coffee shop - it does not matter, just as long as it’s hot and choc’-full-o-caffeine. Once you get your cup full, you then get to dive into the particulars of your work...

For me lately, it’s been thinking and re-thinking a business “mission” or philosophy… A topic that many small businesses can miss, if not careful. I did not want to do this for the wrong reasons or get too far off the path I’ve been on in other areas of my life. This endeavor should be a reflection of my passions and callings, not a race to make the most money in the shortest amount of time. I get the feeling the slope onto the wrong path is not steep, but gentle and subtle. Every client, every job, every choice could lead away from the mission at hand. I’m aware of this now and that’s why I’m taking note publicly.

So what questions do you ask when your just starting out? How do you define and put into words what you want to be about? I am in no way an expert or have a striving business to back up my findings - but here are some questions I’ve asked myself over many a latte and late hour:

Why are you doing this?
This basic question should not be taken lightly. For me, it fits neatly into what I’ve always loved to do. I feel I’ve been given some gifts and talents, and when I use them, it feels good. This is the core of an artist. I want to be successful doing what I love.

What defines success, for your business?
Ok, a trick question, ‘cause this could mean a bunch of stuff and be several essays worth of info. I’ll stick to my definitions and let you wrestle with yours. I think success for Two Fish will be using the resources available to help make our clients successful at (insert their definition here). When our clients are successful, we will be as well, plain and simple.

The trick here is having the wisdom to know who the right clients are. Seeing how our resources interact with a project is crucial. There may be times when the bottom line needs to be replaced with the line: “We’re not the right fit for you.” I feel I’m ready to make tough choices, be wise and take steps to achieve success. The very core of design is answering the question posed in a creative, simple fashion. Sometimes another solution, by another business is the best design solution.

Likewise projects that compromise other areas should be dismissed as well (morally, spiritually, etc.). I will not hurt my relationships for success. It can’t happen.

How do outside factors shape your philosophy?
For me, this is a tough one. I have decided to follow Christ. That means I have an “outside factor” that looms large (like God-sized). My spiritual life factors into every area of my life, so how does it relate to Two Fish? A tricky question for the world we live in. I have found that I work harder, wiser and am successful when I allow these areas of my life to mix. More complicated? Sure. I know that I could not move forward without having peace here first.

So, what does that mean for potential clients? It means I hold myself to a high standard in many areas of my life, including business practices and in creating God-honoring work. Some projects may be for ministries and others for secular companies or associations. All will get the best I can give,because that’s what I’m called to.

How do you stick to your mission?
Um. My guess is that the questions above need to be looked at constantly; Checked and re-checked. Set-up some guard-rails and post your answers somewhere where you can see them often. I don’t like writing “mission statements”, but maybe condensing will help you stay focused. Find like-minded others to be inspired by (for me: Relevant).

Oh, and drink lots of coffee.

This is where I ramble on and you tell me about it below. Ok, I actually hope to do more than ramble, but the jury is still out.