The one thing every successful business creator needs. The answer might surprise you

Creating a new business takes time, effort and money. But too often people overlook the one critical element of success – the soul. Hard work without a soul is like a car without a steering wheel, writes Oriane Juncker.

As the founder of Spotz – a mum-to-mum marketplace that allows mothers to sell their products or services and use the power of their number to influence policymakers – I want to share my experience and help you discover how to get back to your soul.

Since I created Spotz over 18 months ago, I’ve realised that the business must reflect the personal and in order to become successful, I needed to work out what preconceived ideas were getting in the way. Here are some tips on making sure your business is about more than just spreadsheets, but about YOU as well.

The importance of self-belief first

I realised I needed to start believing in myself and overcome the inner voice telling me I wasn’t good enough.

That lack of confidence had stopped me from starting my own business for the past 10 years. I always had lots of ideas but didn’t commit to more concrete actions due to my self-limiting beliefs.

Believing in ourselves doesn’t come from others or accomplishments – it comes from within. We need to sit down and consciously decide that enough is enough: we are going to unconditionally believe in ourselves – now.

Obviously this is easier said than done, but I am convinced it is the number one essential ingredient to success.

Try these steps to believe in yourself and your business

Be prepared to go it alone

The second barrier I had to overcome was thinking that I needed a business partner to create a business. I believed that not only did I need the right idea, but the right person as well. This was despite ABS data that shows 70 per cent of business partnerships ultimately fail. I should have listened to the numbers.

A few years ago, I teamed up with someone who was continually limiting me. I still managed to be successful and this experience eventually gave me the courage to go it alone. I learnt that you’re better off by yourself than pairing up with someone who isn’t right for you.

I was able to achieve great things and I didn’t need anyone to do it! Neither do you!

Get past your past, and your fears

Any person will bring their own background and stories to the table. Sometimes they help; sometimes they get in the way.

In my case, I had a voice inside my head telling me that “without me you would be nothing”. In the past, this has been crippling and disempowering. It’s as a result of abuse suffered by women in my family, from my grandmother down to myself.

I couldn’t even create my own community on social media, which was the cornerstone of my business, until I overcame my fear of judgement and let myself be vulnerable. I was also able to overcome my fear of rejection, pushing forward and keeping these feelings in check.

Procrastination gives these fears more power than they deserve.

Less is more

It is crucial to see the business creation as a marathon and you are the one running it!

Don’t make the mistake of overworking yourself and forget the importance of self-care and resting. If you don’t make time for your wellness, you will be forced to make time for your illness. And don’t forget that doing less is often doing more.

It’s also good to remember the Pareto Principle – that 20 per cent of your activities will account for 80 per cent of your results. Make sure you don’t let perfectionism get in the way of things that don’t make a difference to your final success.

Acknowledge your business accomplishments

Just because you can’t measure it or see it, it doesn’t mean it’s not powerful. Sometimes the silent accomplishments are the most life-changing. I often hear people who want to change the world but I think the biggest change starts from within and only then can the butterfly effect truly occur.

My biggest accomplishment was starting to question everything about who I was and my views of the world. This enabled me to see the essence of my true self and understand my true purpose. This massive internal earthquake led me to create my business, Spotz, which is perfectly aligned with who I am.

This purpose will fuel your business, propel you forward and attract the right people to ensure you make it all the way to the finish line.

Manifest your business dreams

I hope my greatest accomplishment is still to come with Spotz. I’ve created a platform that allows mums to form a community, to express their needs and unite behind common causes to influence policy makers.

In order to start creating that community, I have created a mum-to-mum marketplace that allows mothers to sell their products or services. Money is power, so let’s get our sovereignty back by earning money on our own terms! Let’s start our movement towards a more mum friendly society.

There is still a long way to go but I have a dream to accelerate that evolution by giving women more opportunities to harness their true power.

If each and every one of us can achieve our purpose, imagine what the world could be!