Profit Coaching Roundup: Why First Hires are the Most Important

As part of our profit coaching efforts, we try to go beyond number crunching and help clients really grow their business. We weed through a lot of junk on the Internet, but we save the good stuff to share with you. Here's the 5 most insightful and inspiring bits we found on the world wide web this week:

Tips for Entrepreneurs:

01. 4 Ways Entrepreneurs Can Prepare for That Magical Time Called Retirement.

It seems like there's a million things to do in order to prepare for retirement--especially for the entrepreneur. So many, in fact, it's easy to lose track. We especially liked this list compiled on Inc.com because it highlights some things you might not think about (or forget):

1. Prep Your Successor
2. Choose a Pension Plan
3. Create a Realistic "Go Plan"
   
4. Don't Go Cold Turkey

02. "How a Startup Chose Its First Hires" 

Jeff Raider, co-founder of both Harry's and Warby Parker, shares the importance of a company's first hire and the impact on its culture.

"I think what's incredibly important with first employees is that they've bought into the vision of the founder. We joke that our first employee runs our company. I fundamentally believe that culture in a company is set by your first 10 to 15 hires."

Read the full article here.

Tips for Leaders:

01. "8 Inspirational Principles to be Successful in the New Year."

The beginning of a new year is a time for many to gain inspiration and start their year fresh. We found these tips on Forbes.com super inspiring as we dive into 2015. Here's just the first 4. Read the full article for all 8.

1. Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care. 
2. Fill the gap between the two "you's".
3. You will be the only person tomorrow who remembers your errors of today.
4. Always have a plan--always.

"Not having a plan is akin to shooting in the dark and hoping you hit your target: you may hit it, you may not." -Jeff Boss

02. "The Power of Leading From Weakness"

CEO of Corporate Rain International, Tim Askew, shares a beautiful story of Anna Mary Robertson, a woman who had to give up her love of needlework when arthritis overtook her joints. Out of her weakness, she discovered a new passion and talent for painting. She was discovered by a renowned art collector at 77 years old and continued painting throughout the rest of her life. 

"Out of her human handicap and frality came Grandma Moses's greatest wholeness and greatness. Her arthritis resulted in her success." 

Tips for the Budget-Conscious:

01. 2014 in Startup Funding [Infographic]

2014 was a big year for startup companies. Entrepreneur.com created this helpful infographic that tracks where startups and small businesses found financing.

"Only 1 percent of funding for startups comes from VC firms. 24 percent of businesses find funding from friends and family and more than 80 percent are self-funded."