What is the one advice you would give a young, first-time start-up CEO?

Here's what I got as advice from many 👇🏻 1. Market before product. Millions of entrepreneurs invest time, money and effort working on an idea only to find out that nobody actually wants it. Instead, find a small group of people who have a big problem and create a solution for them that makes their lives ten times better. 2. Collect upfront. It’s not a sale until money is in the bank. Before creating a fully fledged product, find 10 people who are willing to at least make a down payment for a minimum viable product, that way you’ll know your solution has potential and the market is willing to pay. 3. Set goals and follow up. Now that you have 10 customers, it’s time to start planning. Set goals for where you want to be in three years’ time and then one year’s time. Based on your goals, identify five objectives that you could accomplish within three months, then set five weekly targets to make progress towards both your objectives and your goals. 4. Cash over profit. Profitability is overrated. You have to pay taxes on it and it doesn’t mean you have cash. Instead of focusing on profitability, focus on a healthy cash flow and balance. Ensure you’re not spending more than you’re bringing in and collect at least 50% cash up front on any sale that you make. 5. Inspire your people. One man can’t do it all. If you’re serious about your start-up then you’ll be bringing on the best people you can find and working together. That means your job is simple. Hire the right people and make the more than the sum of their parts. You can’t do every job yourself, so bring the best together and lead them. 6. Have patience. Whatever you do will take three times longer and cost three times more than you originally thought. There will be problems, challenges and setbacks. Take a breath during each of these situations and know that you can overcome them. When you achieve your goals, it’ll be three times more worth it. 7. Fail and forgive. You’re going to fuck up. Your partners are going to fuck up. Your employees are going to fuck up. At some point, everybody fucks up. It’s inevitable, so learn to forgive yourself and those around you. When you created your start-up, you wanted to change the world and make a difference. By starting you’re already halfway there, but the key is don’t ruin your achievement by destroying yourself along the journey.