Welcome to season 5 and the one year anniversary of the Creating a Brand Podcast! (Here’s a throwback to our first episode posted on July 2nd, 2019!) In this episode, Alex Sanfilippo is returning to Creating a Brand as a guest for the first time since the first episode. He will be sharing 7 steps for building a successful online business that he learned from guests over the last year.

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7 Steps for Building a Successful Online Business with Alex Sanfilippo:

In episode 054, we are celebrating the first anniversary of the Creating a Brand Podcast! With this celebration we have Alecia Sanfilippo interviewing Alex Sanfilippo on the top 7 steps to building an Online Business. Let’s dive right in!

#1. PURPOSE

“When you know your WHY you will know your WAY.” – Michael Hyatt

When WHAT you are doing gets difficult, remember WHY you’re doing it.

A proper WHY or purpose is tied to the ability to solve someone’s problem. You’re offering a solution, not just coming up with an idea. Really challenge yourself with this!

#2. CLARITY

“All organizations start with WHY but only the great ones keep their why clear year after year.” – Simon Sinek

Jeff Bezos has done a phenomenal job with this. If you read his letter to shareholders every year, he sounds like a broken record at certain parts. That’s because he has been crystal clear for 20 years on where he’s heading.

The act of seeking clarity is building a stronger bond between your WHAT and your WHY.

This is where you build your goals.

#3. FOCUS

“Follow one Course Until Successful” – Robert Kiyosaki

Many of us get stuck working IN the business instead of ON the business. You have to prioritize regular reflection in order to do this.

Alecia’s tip: Don’t overextend yourself, pick the most important & impactful place to be and focus on that!

#4. HUSTLE

“Today I will do what others won’t so tomorrow I can do what others can’t – Jerry Rice

It won’t always be fun. It will take time and energy, but it is worth it.

You should listen to this: Getting More out of Life and Business

#5. SIMPLICITY

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” – Leonardo da Vinci

Steve Jobs modeled this for us with Apple – He lived by this quote.

Don’t re-invent the wheel. A business should never be complex; it should be simple.

#6. LAUNCH

“Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection.” – Mark Twain

Your number one goal when building an online business MUST be to get to MVP (minimum viable product) as quickly as possible.

A perfect example of this is a SaaS (software as a service) product launch that we started on March 10th 2020 and launched beta on June 15th 2020. That’s just over 3 months! It’s not beautiful yet, but we’re focused on testing it and listening to our members.

Start ugly, just get something out there. Don’t chase perfection!

Alecia’s tip: Get your product/service out there as soon as possible! Your product or website doesn’t have to be as nice or beautiful as Nike or Apple. Get it out in front of people and then focus on making it beautiful!

#7. ADJUST AND IMPROVE

“We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails.” – Dolly Parton

You’re going to have to make changes. You’re going to have to be focused on continuous improvements.

If you can remember that what you’re doing isn’t about living out a fantasy of achieving an idea but instead you’re offering a solution to someone’s problem, this gets much easier.

Alecia’s Tip: Sometimes adjusting and improving comes in the form of failing. Don’t view this as a negative but as a chance to pivot into more success!

Final Thoughts:

“You have greatness and creativity within yourself.” – Alex Sanfilippo

Resources Mentioned by Alex Sanfilippo in this Episode:

▶ Our Latest Project: PodMatch.com
▶ Listen to More Episodes: Creating a Brand

Which of the 53 episodes from the first year of Creating a Brand was your favorite and why?