Relentless touring, years dedicated to perfecting your craft, and the pressure of make-or-break releases – all in pursuit of landing that big deal to elevate your career to the next level. Not everyone has what it takes to succeed as an entrepreneur. Hitting the right note as a business owner is notoriously difficult, especially in today's climate. However, with genuine passion, the right mindset, and a lot of dedication, you can still make things work.

This has certainly been my experience on my journey with Lemon. Along the way, I've frequently relied on some of the valuable lessons I learned from my former career in the music industry. When you compare the two, it's clear how much similarity exists between running a small business and making it in the world of music. Both require creativity, determination, an unwavering belief in your vision, and the support of those around you.

Authenticity matters

What’s more, much like in the world of music, authenticity is a major factor when running a small-to-medium-sized enterprise (SME). Everyone can name a musician or artist who abandoned what made them unique and special in the hope of becoming more palatable to a wider audience, only to ultimately miss the mark. As a result, they failed to capture new listeners while losing touch with their core fanbase.

The same is true in the world of business. Companies can’t help but notice the success of others, and it can be very tempting to follow trends and align your business and product with what’s hot right now. While some adaptability is important, it’s essential to always retain real authenticity in what you do. Particularly in a sector like fintech, which is incredibly competitive, it’s crucial to stand out. So, never be scared to do things your own way.

Prioritise your portfolio

Another lesson that’s as relevant in the music industry as it is in the world of business is the importance of crafting a well-curated portfolio. In the music industry, this can mean putting together a strong setlist with all your biggest hits. Within the realm of business, it’s not much different. Whether it’s in pitches or networking events, success often relies on your ability to succinctly synthesise what makes your business special.

Again, much like making it in the music industry, there’s a huge need here to constantly listen to your audience and refine your business or product based on this feedback. Of course, this must be balanced with the need to retain the authenticity I mentioned before. With the right mix, you can ensure that you’re meeting all these requirements and putting yourself in the best position possible to get ahead of the crowd.

Don’t be scared to jazz it up

Finally, one of the most important elements of running a successful business, much like making it in the music industry, is the need to occasionally 'jazz' things up by improvising and innovating to find novel approaches to difficult problems. The spontaneity of jazz has led to some of the greatest music ever recorded, and in business, this same mindset can be applied to come up with outside-the-box solutions that deliver real value.

At Lemon, we have made a conscious effort to prioritise this kind of thinking throughout our growth. Whether it’s in product development, marketing efforts, or how we present our product to potential investors, we strive to do things in a style that is unequivocally our own. This approach has greatly helped us punch above our weight as a small business and generate an outsized impact.

Ready to make it

The truth is, there’s no secret formula to making it in the world of music or business, but based on my experiences, there certainly are some important steps that you can take to help your pursuit. Making your dream a reality is never easy, but by remaining committed, preserving your authenticity, carefully refining your product, and retaining the option to improvise when needed, you can put yourself in a great position.