The Fundamentals

Written By Shannon Marshburn

When you start your entrepreneurial journey, things can seem pretty scattered. Everyone's situation is so different. While your experiences are unique, we know how to help. Here you’ll find a curated list of fundamental resources and building blocks that can help you through long nights, brainstorming sessions, and times when staying motivated is tough.

Create Your Perfect Music Playlists
There are many scientific studies that praise the benefits of listening to music while working. Some of the benefits are improved brain function, boosted concentration and a happier mood. You can read more about it in a previous UARF blog. Take a minute to create your personalized playlist with your favorite songs to energize you and keep you working towards your goals. Click here to find some playlists that we created to share with entrepreneurs!
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Stay Motivated with Podcasts
A UARF team favorite podcast is How I Built This. It’s a staple for entrepreneurs and innovators as the host, Guy Raz, dives into the stories behind recognizable and top companies around the world. Ever wonder how someone built Spanxx, Burton or Chipotle? You can find it all in this podcast! ​

Keep Track of Your Time
​You can’t get more of it, but you can utilize it to the best of your ability! Keep track of your time for multiple reasons, whether you are logging daily time spent on your venture, tracking certain tasks and checking your efficiency, or trying to get more accurate at predicting how long recurring tasks will take. To track my time, I use the “My Hours” app on my phone to keep all my ducks in a row. 

​Talking to Humans by Frank Rimalovski and Giff Constable
Talking To Humans is the best book we’ve ever read on how to conduct customer discovery! This practical guide to understanding your customer teaches you indispensable skills for vetting and improving any new startup or product idea. This book can help you structure and run effective customer interviews, find people to talk to, and turn learnings into action. An additional bonus - it’s free!
 

Join the Starting Line Program 
Our Starting Line program guides you through the fundamental building blocks of starting your entrepreneurial journey. Within 5 easy steps, you’ll have learned mapped the business aspects of your idea using the business model canvas, acquired clarity on your customer through interviewing, and created a competitive analysis​ for market insight​. Plus, you’ll meet with experienced new venture mentors to talk through your business idea. Apply now and take the first step to success! ​

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​Get a Good Electric Kettle
Our own hyper productive team member, Nick, recommends getting yourself a good electric kettle. For late nights you can make a quick cup of noodles and some coffee to keep you going, or for those early mornings you can get a cup of tea and start your day right. 
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​P.S. Check out local coffee shop, "Heartwood Coffee Roasters" at their closest location to you. >

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Within the UARF team, this is the #1 inspiration piece for Elyse and Nick. The Alchemist is not about entrepreneurship, but that alone is refreshingly different to get you out of your entrepreneurial headspace. This beloved book’s theme is about pursuing your dreams by following what your heart desires, working hard and embracing uncertainty. With each passing obstacle that the main character encounters, there is a lesson to learn. This simple story sticks with you a long time after you put it down, and we find ourselves reaching for this book again and again when we need to be inspired!