Lifestyle entrepreneur Ryan Lee knows what it takes to build a successful small business. He went from teaching physical education in the South Bronx, New York, to founding the world's first sports training website in 2001. He's been a freelancer ever since. Lee now runs FREEDYM, a website that offers training resources and case studies so anyone from personal trainers to lawyers can have tips and tools for successful business growth.
Related: 5 tips for running a successful business
One of the keys to business success? Be authentic and true to yourself. Here are Lee's tips for staying authentic through every stage of growing up:
1. Don't feel like you have to curse or have a beard because it looks 'authentic'. Do what feels most natural to you.
2. Don't be afraid to show your flaws.
3. Share your losses as often as you share your winnings.
4. Tell people what you stand for. Don't be afraid to draw a line in the sand and ask, "Are you with me?" »
5. Always tell the truth.
6. Accept that there will always be people who don't like you.
7. Open up and talk about things outside of your business. Do you have children? Do you like the 80s? People do business with people, not faceless companies.
8. Market as if you were talking to one person. Be as conversational as possible.
Related: 5 ways to make your business better than the competition
This article originally appeared in the June 2017 issue of SUCCESS magazine.
