Funding your business is like re-enacting the first scenes of a Bond film. It’s fast-paced, dramatic, and highly unpredictable. But in the end, you know you’re at the beginning of the story, and M(s)r. Bond (that’s you) is very likely to prevail. S/he overcomes the first of the saga’s challenges by acting nimbly and exhausting even the most obscure options. You’ve got this. 

Here’s how to suit up, fight on, and tackle any financial challenge (whether it be personal or entrepreneurial) with that calm, cool, and collected charm that only Bond can balance. Because after all, aren’t we all aiming to fight financial obstacles with precision and grace in a beautiful British sports car? 

#1 Be prepared. Be very prepared. 

Ask any of your more tech-centric friends who their favorite Bond character is and they’ll likely say, “Q, of course.” That’s because Q prepares Bond for any high-speed chase or “sticky” situation. Here’s how to prepare yourself (and your wallet) to be financially ready to take the leap (or free-fall) into entrepreneurship. (Let’s be honest, these are all great for personal money management too). 

1. Build up your credit score if it’s less than 700. You’ll want a good score to open your business account, which can open up some credit lines when you’re strapped for cash. Believe us, this isn't a matter of if, it’s a matter of when.

2. Secure a little nest egg. While we know some bada$$ founders who had very little sitting in the bank, having an emergency fund to fall back on personally can seriously help with your stress levels. 

3. Know your next 3 steps. Before even publishing your website, know what you need to 1. Start your business, 2. Get your first client and/or 3. Build a community of loyal, paying customers. Stress reduction is all about knowing where you’re headed and how you’ll get there. Think of these as your GPS coordinates to locate that beautiful Aston Martin. You need them to slide into that leather seat and zoom through the road ahead. 

#2 List out your priorities (and everything else).

Lists are our best friends. BEST FRIENDS. We have lists for to do’s, to don’t’s, how to do’s, etc., etc. Listing out your priorities might be less of your on-camera Bond persona, and more like your very real, Money Penny (equal bada$$) reality. That’s ok. Your lists will help reassure you at the end of a very long day that you did some good, you defeated some evil, and you know what’s left to accomplish.

Here’s how to get your financial priorities set: 

1. Find the right team. As much as you may think your Bond alter-ego can go it alone, you can’t. He doesn’t. Why would you try? Determine what your weaknesses are early and hire someone better suited to manage that aspect of the business. Even better, find a co-founder. They invest, they’re likely to take as little-to-no income as you, and they work just as hard. (Plus, you then have someone to talk to about all the obstacles that arise). 

2. Negotiate everything. Set a projected cost for all of your assumed expenses. Then mark down where you think you can save 10, 20, 50%. If you’re working with contractors, remember they need your logo just as much as you need their work. 

3. Build SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-based) goals and milestones. List out your necessary milestones for the next year and then set reasonable goals to help you hit those targets. This will help you decide what you should spend money on now and where you can press pause if needed.

4. Always ask yourself, “What will investors think?” If you’re going to rely on outside investment to help you hit your goals, make sure you’re developing a financial plan that’s aligned with your market, your audience size, and your investment goal. Try and learn how investors think (which is different than business owners!) to craft your messaging and pitch. You can be debonair as all hell, but if your gadgets don’t help you defeat the bag guy, you’ll be left vulnerable. 

#3 Be kind to yourself. 

After a long, grueling defeat of the villain, what does Bond do? He takes a vacation. And as you’re building up your Bond-like entrepreneurial persona, you should try to too (have you decided on your code name yet?). Taking time away from your business no matter what stage it’s in is always going to be hard. There will always be emails to answer, ideas to craft, missions to crush. And yet, you will never be your full Bond-self if you don’t take the time to recover. 

Here’s how we prioritize kindness and self-care even after the most trying days: 

1. Find something to pay attention to after a long day, that isn’t a screen. Nature, anyone?

2. List your fears and come back to the list often to assess and reframe. At the end of the day, you’re not fighting some evil foreign power who wants the world to end. Try reframing each fear into an opportunity. For instance: “I’m afraid we’ll fail.” Turns into, “If we fail, I’ll only be disappointed if I haven’t given this f&cker my all. If I have, I’ll know I’ve done something great.” 

3. Ask for help. We never do this enough and often by the time we have it’s too late and we’re already drowning in stress. Don’t wait. Find your support network of entrepreneurs, advocates, advisors, colleagues who can help you navigate even the darkest or most uncertain situations. 

4. Build your Bond Backbone with a daily mantra. Here are some thought starters: “I am strong. I am capable. I am right for this. I am wise. I manifest my abundance.”

And there you have it. Taking that entrepreneurial leap can be scary, but when you have the right mindset, a good plan of action, and enough certainty that at the end of your story, you’ll be stronger, more resilient, and ready for anything, you’ll find a feeling of empowerment that far outweighs any obstacle or villain that might stand in your way. Now go out there, embrace your inner secret agent, and become the titan of industry you were born to be.  

About the Author: Co-founder and CMO Maia Monell has experience in growth marketing and brand strategy for developing software firms as well as in global women’s development. Prior to Nav.it, Maia worked with sports technology brand Bridge Athletic and holds an M.S. in Marketing Strategy & Innovation from Cass Business School. Maia's background in developing programs for professional female athlete campaigns and Brand Ambassadors gives her the unique experience to develop Nav.it’s authentic voice and brand promise.

About Nav.it: Nav.it is a banking app that helps you build healthy financial habits.  Pay down debt, automate savings, track spending, and learn how to more optimistically navigate your financial future with Nav.it's financial roadmap. Nav.it changes behaviors around money by providing personalized tools that build confidence in your money moves. Financial wellness starts here!

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This story was originally published on September 10, 2020, and has since been updated.

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