It’s our birthday!
Today we turn one year old – and with two Curious Orangers neck deep in the early toddler phase – it’s come to our attention that getting a business to a year old is pretty heavy on the baby to toddler journey vibes.
So, indulge us for 5ish minutes (it’s our birthday so you have to) as we unpack the parallels with those wild first 12 months of parenthood.
This is also relatable if you’re a doggy/moggy (cat) parent…maybe more so actually as they can be harder work than babies :)
Survival mode is fully engaged (IYKYK)
With a newborn, you’re a cook, a nanny, a singer, a protector, a habitual bedroom pacer. And see that thing you do for money every day, well you’re still that too, but on 3-5 hours broken sleep…on a good night.
Now think about a startup. It demands your undivided attention. Your actual job role? Yeah, you’re still that. But you’re also turning your hand to every single thing that needs to be done to survive as an early stage business. From coffee runs to learning new skills in a very concentrated manner. Basically you do everything you can to keep your business healthy and set up to thrive in the future.
Celebrate everything
Every win is a big win. Landing your first client? Getting that positive feedback? Savour it. Just like parents documenting every baby milestone, keep track and celebrate your startup's growth. Because these moments are the serotonin hit that you can bank on the days when the grind is real.
Growth Spurts
You know the way all of a sudden you find yourself running out of baby clothes that fit…well startups also experience periods of rapid expansion. But instead of clothes, it’s a scramble to find the right people or the right resources to keep pace with the growth. Truth be told, this is actually a great problem to have. And although it can be a little stressful, if you zoom out, it's indicative of everything you’re doing right. So see point 2 above, and plow on – you’re killing it.
Be consistent…and flexible
Ok, it’s not the contradiction it seems. With toddlers and startups, routines are essential. Keep a tight schedule, keep the structure in place. That’s how a house stays happy.
But…if there’s one thing babies and toddlers are consistently good at, it’s inconsistency. They’ll just switch it up one day and never look back. And as Liam G said back in the 90s – you gotta roll with it.
Same with your business – be ready to pivot based on market trends, client feedback, or whatever comes your way. Learn, adapt, evolve.
The joy of watching them grow
Seeing your baby take their first steps? The best. Seeing your startup thrive? The second best.
It makes all the late nights and challenges worth it. And just like parents celebrating that first year, we’re celebrating Curious Orange’s (our bonus baby in case you haven’t copped that yet) first birthday with deep gratitude. We are still delighted, privileged and excited to be here, and we’ll do everything we can to ensure it grows into everything we believe it can be.
