Advice to New Entrepreneurs: Lessons from the Ground Up
By Chuck Cuda
When I started my first business, I didn’t have a roadmap. I had grit, a hunger to win, and an appetite for risk. But if I could sit down with the next generation of entrepreneurs, there are some lessons I’d want them to hear. Lessons earned through long nights, hard pivots, and a whole lot of trial and error. Here’s my advice, from the ground up.
1. Your Mindset Will Evolve and That’s a Good Thing
When I first started out, my focus was simple: make money. I was hustling, looking for quick wins, chasing deals that would get me paid fast. But as I grew, so did my mindset. Now, there’s strategy behind the hustle. I think in 6-month, 12-month, even 5-year and 10-year plans. Long-term success requires intentionality. You can still be hungry, but you’ve got to think beyond today’s paycheck.
2. Know Where to Spend Your Time
Early on, I made mistakes with how I invested my time. I wasn’t focused enough on return or whether the effort I was putting in would create the most impact. Time is your most valuable resource. Be ruthless with it. Evaluate what activities and relationships are giving you the greatest impact and when you’re ready to scale, make sure the right people are in the right seats.
3. You’re the Last One to Get Paid
No one told me this when I got started: you’ll be the last person to get paid. Every dollar you earn early on should go back into the business. If you don’t reinvest, you’ll stagnate and eventually fold. Expect sacrifices. Work extra jobs if you have to. I did. UPS, merchandising routes, bartending—you name it. I did whatever I had to in order to reinvest in the business and keep it growing.
4. Risk Is Necessary but Make It Calculated
Yes, I’m naturally a risk taker. But every risk I take is measured. Before I jump into anything new, I’m already thinking about the pivot. What’s the exit plan if this fails? Who might want to acquire it? What resources can I lean on if things go sideways? Risk is part of the game, but preparation is what turns a gamble into a smart move.
5. Mindset Over Everything
The entrepreneurs who make it? They don’t fold when things get hard. They plan. They pivot. They trust their ability to navigate change. When something doesn’t work, they don’t cling to ego, they adapt. Your mindset determines whether you survive the hard seasons or get swallowed up by them. Don’t underestimate it.
6. Don’t Go It Alone, Mentorship Matters
Mentorship has played a massive role in my journey. From my dad and uncle to coaches and business peers, I’ve always sought out people who knew more than I did. I still do. The most successful entrepreneurs I know want to pass it on. Ask questions. Seek guidance. And when you’re in a position to help someone else, do it. None of us got here alone.
7. Start with Your Why
When things get tough and they will, your why is what keeps you grounded. If your only motivation is money, it won’t be enough. My why includes my family, my team, and the people I serve. I have to make decisions knowing they’ll ripple far beyond me. That kind of perspective keeps you focused, even in chaos.
8. Confidence Comes from Action
When you’re starting out, you’ll have more questions than answers and that’s a good thing. It means you’re willing to learn. Surround yourself with smart people. Stay curious. Practice your decision-making muscle. The more you act, the more confident you’ll become. Don’t wait until you feel ready. Move anyway.
9. Leading by Example Is Non-Negotiable
In my first business with employees, my coin laundry mat, I was doing everything. Midnight shifts. Hauling equipment. Cleaning vents. And all while working other jobs. Why? Because I wanted my team to see that I wouldn’t ask them to do anything I wasn’t willing to do myself. That lesson stuck with me, and it’s shaped the way I lead every business I’ve built since.
10. Temper the Hype with Reality
Too many entrepreneurs starting out believe that success is supposed to come fast—or that everyone who’s made it had help. That wasn’t the case for me. I didn’t have financial backing. I had people around me who guided me, challenged me, and taught me. But no one handed me anything. That’s why I’m so passionate about sharing what I’ve learned. Because when we lift others up, we leave a legacy that goes far beyond business.
If you're just getting started, welcome! This journey will challenge you, stretch you, and humble you. But it’ll also change your life. Bet on yourself. Learn fast. Move with purpose. And remember: no one builds anything great alone!
Stay tuned for our next post: " Where It All Began: First Businesses, Lifelong Bonds, and a Purpose-Driven Mission" If you haven’t purchased your copy of Ego Strength yet, you can do so on Amazon HERE.