Thu, March 11, 2010 - 5:47:36

For Entrepreneurs, Taking the Small Stuff Literally Can Result in Big Wins

Whether or not you’re a fan of country music, chances are you’ve at least heard of the Grammy-winning trio, Lady Antebellum, a group that has made the rapid rise from songwriting collaborators to chart-topping hit makers in just a few short years.  But, as yesterday’s article in USA Today points out, the popular act didn’t make it to the top of their industry by thinking big.  Instead, they got there by doing things the SMALL way… literally.

Brian Mansfield reports that when the three artists decided to pursue music full-time and strike out on their own as songwriting and performing partners, they packed up their belongings and moved in to one tiny motel room in an effort to keep their costs low.  And while, of course, it was a wise move that helped them save money, we also suspect that it fueled their creativity.

Why?  Because, when we started The Kaplan Thaler Group little more than a decade ago, we did something very similar, and made the conscious decision to save money by working in a space that was too small for us.  By operating in our cramped-yet-economical quarters, we were free from the paralyzing fear many budding entrepreneurs feel when faced with writing the monthly rent check. As a result, we were able to focus more on creating great ads and winning new business during our agency’s critical early stages. 

Sure, it was a little close for comfort, but it was a good thing, too, because it helped to set the foundation for the agency we are today.  In fact, we discovered that when people work together in small spaces it actually encourages collaboration and inspires creativity. 

Although we’ve all been told for years to “go big or go home,” we’ve found time and time again that such a mindset is largely self-defeating.  In fact, for new business owners, it can be a fatal error. One of the main reasons many budding entrepreneurs ultimately fail is that they don’t start small.  Instead, they “go big” too quickly by over committing to excess space or inventory, which inevitably results in even bigger losses.

Leonardo Da Vinci once said, “Small rooms or dwellings discipline the mind.” So, whether you’re an emerging artist or an up-and-coming small business owner, remember the words of the Old Master and start small.  Even if you think don’t have enough square footage at first, you can always expand.

Posted by Linda and Robin