Dan Aziz | Premama founder and president
Starting a company is a lot like having a child … I think. There is a lot of pain involved, it is not easy, and when you start one for the first time, you really have no idea what you are doing. Now 28, I’ve realized Premama is my baby.
Premama was conceived at Brown University and birthed by the 2011 Rhode Island Business Plan Competition. Today, the company is going through puberty. We are growing incredibly fast and learning a lot, but there have been a lot of tough lessons along the way.
Some thoughts for those looking to create their own “baby”:
• Starting a business is not easy; if it were, everyone would do it.
• There is no such thing as an overnight success. Most “overnight” successes are really built over years of hard work and perseverance.
• Stay even-keeled. Starting a business is a roller-coaster. Don’t get too down on yourself when things are tough, but do not get arrogant or too excited when things are great. Just keep moving forward.
• It is cliché, but everything will cost twice as much and take twice as long … at a minimum. So really be prepared for this, especially when raising capital.
• Adapt. Plans will change, product may change, the market may change. Those who are flexible, who think ahead and who can adapt quickly to their surrounding environments will be those that succeed.
I hope this encourages and aids others in starting their ventures. There is no better time than now!