I started WordStream in my 20s with nothing.
Just this month, it was acquired for $150,000,000 by Gannett.
Unicorn Startup Lessons
Here are my top 4 lessons I learned over the last decade from making a baby unicorn.
1. Project a Bold Vision
I pitched the boldest vision I could possibly imagine at the time –
A $100M marketing software company!
Believers found my vision in time –
Talent and investors who in turn helped make my dream a reality.
You ask, “What could you have done differently?”
I should have projected an even bolder vision 
2. Embrace Epic Change
First we made keyword research tools but prices and retention were awful.
Instead of making small tweaks, we pivoted to a selling a PPC management platform.
We changed the entire product.
Big changes = big impact.
3. Find Your Unicorn Growth Hack
My most spectacular growth hack is the AdWords Grader.
We showcase the product by grading AdWords account performance.
It took me and 3 engineers just 4 months to create this.
Yet it made the company a success.
Double down on your unicorn projects. Kill your donkey projects.
4. Make Unicorn Babies
You learn so much when building a startup.
Even when they don’t work out.
Don’t let hard-earned lessons go to waste.
I’m building my next unicorn, MobileMonkey – a Facebook Messenger marketing platform.
It’s that time again. I’m looking for believers. Talent & investor inquiries welcome!
Most startups don’t end with a big IPO or acquisition.
But they’re always an adventure.
And sometimes, can turn out better than you ever imagined.
I hope to make more unicorn babies.
You can too!
Republished by permission. Original here.
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This article, "4 Key Tactics the Pros Use for Launching a Profitable Startup" was first published on Small Business Trends
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