21 lessons in business: Insights from 21 years of Paperstone
This August marks a special milestone for Paperstone – our 21st birthday! Yes, we’re getting old! It’s been quite an adventure from humble beginnings to becoming a trusted name in our industry. We’ve learnt a lot about running a business over the years, so we’ve decided to share 21 lessons that have shaped our business and leadership style along the way.
We hope these insights inspire you to keep pushing forward, wherever you may be in your journey.
1. Believe in yourself, and your business, even when no one else does
The early days of Paperstone were built on self-belief and determination. Trust your vision, even if everyone else is doubting you.
2. Hard work beats luck
Consistent effort and determination will get you further than hoping for a spring of luck.
3. Learn by doing
Don’t wait for things to be perfect – start, learn, and adapt as you go.
4. Surround yourself with a solid team
Build a team that shares your values and work ethic. We can’t emphasise this enough – great people are your biggest asset.
5. Listen to your customers
Customer feedback is gold – good or bad. It helps make informed product improvements and builds long-term loyalty.
6. Embrace change
The world we live in is always changing (sometimes very unexpectedly – Covid anyone?!). Be flexible and be willing to adapt when necessary.
7. Focus on building relationships, not just making sales
Strong relationships with customers create trust and open doors for future opportunities.
8. Celebrate the little wins
Recognise and celebrate progress along the way – no matter how small. It keeps everyone motivated.
9. Never stop learning
Stay curious. Thinking you know everything can be really damaging. Learning keeps your mind sharp and your business keep up with changes and trends in the industry. One of our values is We Love To Learn for this very reason.
10. Transparency builds trust
Be open with your team and customers. Manage expectations – honesty results in loyalty.
11. Manage risks. Don’t fear them.
Calculated risks drive growth. Don’t be scared to take a few chances.
12. Stay true to your core values
Your values ultimately shape your culture and brand – keep them front and centre. Ours are: We work smart, We solve problems, We love to learn, and We are one team. We live by these every single day.
13. Take care of your team
A happy team will deliver great results – invest in their growth and wellbeing.
14. Don’t be afraid to ask for help
You don’t have to do it alone. Seek mentors, advisors, and partners when needed.
15. Failures are really lessons in disguise
Mistakes are going to happen – learn from them and keep moving forward. Try not to dwell on them for too long.
16. Keep your vision clear and make sure you remind your team of it
Sharing your vision helps keep your team motivated and can spark new ideas from everyone.
17. Invest in quality. Not quantity.
Better products and services build lasting reputations. We’re always looking at range extensions and new additions.
18. Be patient
It’s easier said than done, but success hardly happens overnight. Perseverance and patience are really important.
19. Adapt your leadership style
Everyone is different – one size doesn’t fit all. Adapt your leadership style depending on the different personalities in your team.
20. Celebrate your journey
Take time to reflect on how far you’ve come – it builds confidence for what’s ahead, plus it’s fun to look back at the journey. This cool website shows you how your website has changed over the years. It’s humbling, to say the least!
21. Start small. Dream Big.
Set ambitious, but achievable goals. SMART goals is something we’ve used plenty.
21 years in business is a very proud moment for all of us at Paperstone. We’re grateful to our customers, suppliers, partners, and team members (past and present) who have been part of this incredible journey. Here’s to many more years of growth, learning, and success together.
What lessons have you learned on your own journey? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Share with us in the comments or email us at hello@paperstone.co.uk
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