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by Jessica Valenzuela @mavindigital

Recently, I’ve had to face some tough decisions as a Founder for a new company that I am nurturning, Just Kite It. Beyond the day-to-day hustle of ensuring that action items are followed-through and executed on efficiently, networking and making connections that will help grow the company, keeping your team motivated and focused, there are those days when tough decisions need to be made in order to keep the upward momentum of the startup. Decisions that at times may result in hurting a friendship that you truly value.

I could have chosen to start Just Kite It on my own. After much consideration and thought, I decided to bring in a co-Founder. Back in August, my requirements were simple and generic: equally passionate about kiting. Someone who can strongly complement my skill sets and talent. After all I started a service business, Mavin Digital, Inc. So this new startup should be a piece of cake. I discovered that there is more to learn.

Lesson #1: I was naive to think that friendship and common passion for a sport and a lifestyle is enough to warrant a strong working relationship.

When the wheels start to turn is when you realize that common passion and friendship is not enough to get you through the potholes of starting  a company. You can only prepare so much and risk manage as much. Have 101 conversations on the possible challenges that could occur to keep the fluidity of the creation process. At the end of the day a Founder’s duty is to have clarity and focus on the tasks. Can friendships make it through tough business decisions? It depends. There is no right or wrong answer here. In my opinion, keeping a general open mind and conversation always bears better fruit, yet the Founder’s Duty is keeping the vision in which the company was founded. Keep that flame burning bright up to the finish line.

“Trust is a Founder’s biggest challenge. Not capital,” Divya Gugnani, Founder Behind the Burner.

Lesson #2: Is capital enough to earn co-Foundership status? The clear answer is no.

Obviously, investor equity at the seed round is available to those who invests in the startup. Yet it is a Founder’s duty to pick a founding team he/she can trust to have infinite desire to help execute on your idea, transform it into a great product and understands the business you are building. Equity motivated by capital alone could dilute the vision of the startup. Distractions over revenue decisions versus focusing on what is strategically sound for the company could hurt the growth of the organization and performance of the brand.

“Create and deliver a good product first, then business will come,” The Apple story.

Lesson #3: KISS and focus on doing one thing well.

Identifying a problem and crafting a solution that a community would find valuable is not a one shot process. Nurturing an idea and transforming it into a product requires evolution. Sometimes the idea becomes diluted and the problem in which it is intended to solve is lost. We were close to heading down that path for Just Kite It. I was reminded by a fellow Founder and friend, KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) and focus on doing one thing well. So back to the drawing board I went.Today, as we draw closer to our alpha release date for phase 1…I’m excited! It won’t be perfect, yet that is the beauty of the startup creation process there will always be room for improvement.

Lesson #4: Don’t build to sell. Build to create a great company.

So far the most invaluable lesson I’ve learned since my journey into creating Just Kite it. I was at a coffee shop yesterday meeting someone who I have a high regard for and is one of my Advisory Board members for Mavin Digital, Inc. He stopped me in my tracks when I said, “well in two years I’ll probably sell.” I was greeted with “Don’t think like that. You don’t build a company to flip it. You build a company to create great companies.”

Indeed, why would you want to sell something you love? “Do what you love and never give up,” Bill Tai.

Disruptive changes are good. It tests one’s capabilities to assess, focus and re-calibrate in many areas of your life. It is a character building experience – going above and beyond your comfort zone no matter what the odds are or how low you are feeling. More specifically, embracing the change without aggravating the other important factors of your life – not an easy feat. A dear friend reminded me in the early weeks  “Jess, you are still the Founder and Principal of Mavin Digital, Inc., you have your team, clients, friends and community.” That was a defining moment.

Lessons Learned: When Change Happens

As a new entrepreneur and startup owner it can be truly damaging when change happens unexpectedly. It is easy to shutdown, yet not the best solution when you are growing a business. Here’s what I learned from this experience:

1. Seek counsel from your trusted circle. The first life-line I called on (and continue to do so) are my friends. Friends I know who at any given point in time will offer a fair point of view, provide support and encouragement.
2. Honest assessment of the problem. A quiet self-evaluation of the change is always useful. I believe in the chemistry of cause and effect. Accept the flaws that occurred between point A and point B then ask the question: Are there defining solutions that could get you back on track? As someone who firmly believes in the power of the human spirit my answer is yes. Though, the realist in me says when your very best does not move mountains you simply have to let go. It is not an admittance of defeat nor a reflection on your abilities. It simply means you are human.
3. Admit in hurts. I’m pretty darn good at this. The simple act of admitting pain during any major changes in your life is soothing and I believe helps you heal.
4. Allow yourself to heal. This means you’re not taking the memory of that pain with you to point C. Get up and march forward like you were doing it for the first time.
5. Get back on track. Don’t lose sight of the other important factors in your life. I slowly reminded myself that as an entrepreneur I have a responsibility to my company, my team, my clients, my friends and my community. That is a lot of responsibility. Change is a poor excuse to under perform.

Another dear friend reminded me and I firmly believe in “change is a gift.” Blessings and good fortune are waiting around the bend. Thank you friends for the support and encouragement.

Special thanks to my rockstar intern, Christopher for creating these lovely Twitter backgrounds! Enjoy!