企业家内部网络是一个在线社区，美国初创公司中最具思想和影响力的人士会在此及时解答关于创业和职业生涯的问题。今天的问题是：新人企业家在创业时应该知道什么？回答者是Picniic的共同创始人和首席执行官迈克尔•科尔。

在自己的公司里开始职业生涯是一次令人兴奋又提心吊胆的冒险。搞清如何开始，向谁征求建议，怎样在领导迅速发展的企业的同时打理好个人生活，可能会很困难。以下是我作为企业家这些年来总结出的最好经验：

找到激情

激情具有强大的力量。在打造我的上一家公司Fit Brains时，渴望驱使着我去创立一项拥有强大社会影响力的业务。神经系统科学的发展，以及大脑训练帮助婴儿、儿童和成人在内的所有人从脑震荡中恢复过来的方式，启发了我去建立了一家将神经系统科学和游戏化设计结合起来的公司。我的团队热衷于帮助人们，这让我们得以经历高峰和低谷，创造了成功的产品和公司。

当我开始考虑下一次企业冒险时，我意识到了我的激情已经转移了。能够产生积极的影响会让我动力十足，此外我的家庭也能给我力量。家人让我更加努力，变得更好，突破路上的任何阻拦。这促成了我现在这家公司Picniic的建立。找到那些让你每天起床工作的事物，让它成为你事业的核心。

建立强大的企业文化

招聘合适的人是一项艰难的工作，尤其是当你着手建立自己的公司时。成立Fit Brains时，我知道自己需要优秀的人才，否则绝对无法成功。而且，你必须从是否拥有专业资格和是否契合公司文化两方面来寻觅合适的人才。

一开始就做好决定，希望自己的员工具备怎样的价值，又希望他们怎样融入你对公司文化的远大设想中。让员工积极向上，与你对公司有着同样的动力和激情，这是至关重要的。我发现要会见尽可能多的人，这样才能了解各种应聘者，找到适合每个职位的最好人才。不要单单因为他们是你朋友，或者简历上看起来还不错就招聘他们，也不要害怕在寻找合适人选时多花点时间。

不要孤军奋战

对新人企业家的另一个建议就是：不要害怕求助。企业家往往希望自己来搞定事情。不过如果你想好好管理时间，就应当把任务分配给你信赖的人。这样也能展现出你对他们的信心。

知道什么时候通过并购来壮大

Fit Brains在成立几年后被Rosetta Stone收购。在这个过程中，我了解了很多与大型企业合作的情况。Rosetta Stone联系我时，他们有着关于自身产品与Fit Brain怎样合作的远大构想。我知道这对Fit Brains有好处。我很幸运，时机正好。不过，直到最后你才会知道并购会经历什么，有太多事情可能冒出来，让整笔交易泡汤。行事要小心谨慎，同时也要计划好万一交易失败应该如何继续前进。

在你设想构建公司的过程中，要对机遇抱有开放的心态。我在创立Fit Brains时，并不知道我以后会把它卖给Rosetta Stone，也不知道我会离开公司从事一个富有激情的新项目。创业过程就是充满了出人意料的起起伏伏，重要的是保持灵活性，善于接受帮助，并在发展中调整方向。（财富中文网）

译者：严匡正

The Entrepreneur Insiders network is an online community where the most thoughtful and influential people in America’s startup scene contribute answers to timely questions about entrepreneurship and careers. Today’s answer to the question, “What should budding entrepreneurs know about building a business?” is written by Michael Cole, co-founder and CEO of Picniic.

Starting your career with your own business is an exciting, yet scary, adventure. It can be difficult to know where to start, who to turn to for advice, and how to manage your personal life on top of a rapidly growing business. Here’s the best I’ve gathered throughout my years as an entrepreneur:

Find your passion

Passion is a powerful thing. When dreaming up my last company, Fit Brains, I was driven by the desire to build a business that would have a strong social impact. Inspired by advancements in neuroscience and how brain training could help everyone from baby boomers and kids to people with concussions, I went all in and started a company that fused neuroscience and gamification. My team’s passion for helping people allowed us to navigate the peaks and valleys of establishing a successful product and company.

When I began to think about my next business venture, I realized my passions had shifted, and that I was fueled not only by affecting positive change, but also by my family. Family inspires me to work harder, be better, and push through any roadblocks that may come my way. It has become the foundation of my current company, Picniic. Find the thing that motivates you to get up and work every day, and make it the core of your business.

Create strong company culture

Hiring right is a tough job, especially when starting out on your own. When I started Fit Brains, I knew I needed great people around me, or else I would never succeed. And you have to find the right people from both a qualification and culture fit.

Early on, determine what values you want your employees to have, and how you want them to fit into your larger vision of company culture. It’s crucial to surround yourself with positive people who have the same drive and passion for your business as you do. I have found that meeting with as many people as possible is essential to understanding the range of candidates and finding the best people for each role. Don’t hire someone simply because they are a friend or look good on paper, and don’t be afraid to take your time in finding the right person, either.

Don’t do it alone

Another piece of advice for all budding entrepreneurs: Never be afraid to ask for help. Entrepreneurs typically want to do and finish things on their own. But if you’re going to manage your time effectively, you need to delegate tasks to people you trust. And doing so will show your confidence in them.

Know when it’s right to grow your company through acquisition

A few years after founding Fit Brains, it was acquired by Rosetta Stone. In the process, I learned a lot about working with a large, corporate business. When Rosetta Stone approached me, they had a larger vision of how Rosetta Stone's products and Fit Brains could join forces, and I knew it was a positive move for Fit Brains. I was lucky—the timing was right. However, you never know if the acquisition will go through right up until the end—so many things can pop up and derail the whole deal. Proceed with caution, and always have a plan to put in place for how to move forward should the deal fall through.

As you navigate the process of building your own business, keep an open mind about opportunities that pop up along the way. I didn’t start Fit Brains knowing I would sell it to Rosetta Stone, or that I would eventually leave the company to pursue a new passion project. Entrepreneurship is rife with surprises and unexpected ups and downs. It’s all about being flexible, accepting help, and switching direction as you grow.