Justin Welsh on Building a Business: Action Over Certainty

In a recent LinkedIn post, Justin Welsh discusses the often-sought-after secret to transitioning to full-time entrepreneurship, emphasizing action and iterative development over exhaustive planning.

Welsh demystifies the process, suggesting that achieving this goal doesn’t require an MBA, a massive following, or perfect timing. Instead, he outlines a practical, step-by-step approach rooted in real-world execution. As Justin Welsh notes:

“Save some money.
Build something people want.
Talk about it daily.
Get a few customers.
Learn what they like and don’t like.
Fix it.
Get more customers.”

The Power of Action and Iteration

A central theme in Welsh’s post is the idea that certainty is a byproduct of action, not a prerequisite for it. He challenges the common tendency to wait for perfect conditions or a foolproof plan before making a move. According to Welsh, this paralysis by analysis prevents many aspiring entrepreneurs from starting.

He advocates for a lean startup mentality, encouraging individuals to “Start small. Ship fast. Adjust based on feedback.” This iterative process, he argues, is fundamental to building a sustainable business. Welsh shared his own experience, stating:

“I didn’t quit my job with a foolproof plan. I quit with a simple offer and the willingness to figure it out as I went.”

Essential Systems for Business Growth

Beyond the initial steps of launching and iterating, Welsh highlights three critical systems that are necessary for genuine business growth and to move beyond simply “winging it and hoping.” These are:

• People to sell to (a market)
• Content that builds trust (credibility and connection)
• A business model that scales (profitability and sustainability)

Without these foundational elements, Welsh contends, entrepreneurs are operating without a clear path to success. He emphasizes that he learned these lessons through years of hard experience.

Building Trust Through Content

Welsh underscores the importance of consistent communication and trust-building. He points out that simply having a product or service isn’t enough; potential customers need to trust the provider. This trust is often cultivated through daily engagement and valuable content, a principle he has applied extensively in his own career.

The Creator MBA as a Resource

To help others avoid the pitfalls he encountered, Welsh has documented his approach in “The Creator MBA.” He describes it as a comprehensive resource containing 111 lessons designed to guide individuals through building an audience and a business from the ground up. As Justin Welsh explains:

“Then I documented every step so you don’t have to.
The Creator MBA is 111 lessons that walk you through building an audience and business from scratch. Step-by-step. No guessing.”

He concludes his post with a call to action, urging readers to abandon the pursuit of perfection and begin building their ventures immediately, especially with a limited-time Black Friday offer on his course.