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Ten years ago, when my two co-founders and I started our video production company, I honestly didn’t think it would be a success. We’d tried to start a few companies before, but deep down, we knew this one would end up like every other one: We’d wait a few months and then go back to looking for work.
Though we started making money and getting deals, it took a while for our early success to feel “real.” Though we had cash flow, we were working out of our apartment, interviewing people in the lobby of the Marriott across the street, and constantly putting out fires. For years, even after many of our problems resolved themselves, we always felt like we were a few decisions away from going out of business.
But despite all the odds, Lemonlight has carved out a different path, and over the past decade we’ve accomplished some incredible things: working with dream clients, breaking sales records, expanding our office space, purchasing studio space, and producing tens of thousands of videos that we’re truly proud of.
Looking back on this journey, five key turning points stand out that helped us realize we were building something that could actually succeed.
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Turning point #1: Opening our first office
One of the earliest milestones was securing our first full-fledged office space.
Moving to a 2,000 sq ft office was both exciting and scary, and although it was a big financial commitment, I finally felt like I had a place and was becoming more settled.
For me, this move symbolized the transition from a tiny startup working out of an apartment to a full-fledged business with a dedicated space to grow. This move gave us permanence and stability, which was crucial to our morale and long-term plans.
Plus, we can finally invite clients into our office without having to worry about a makeshift setup.
Turning point 2: Focusing all our efforts on video content production
A few years into our business, we reached another important milestone: we decided to specialize in video production.
While we had previously offered a wide range of services from video to website content to social media management, this decision to focus on our core competencies signaled that we had a clear mission and purpose.
It was a difficult decision, especially since it meant turning down other potential revenue streams, but it helped strengthen our identity and build the company around our strengths.
Narrowing our focus has allowed us to deepen our expertise, improve our processes, and deliver higher quality results to our clients. The move also simplified our marketing message, helping us better communicate our strengths and stand out in a competitive marketplace.
Turning point 3: Signing the first big-name client
The day TripAdvisor found us online and asked us to produce a video for them was another surreal moment. They were one of our first corporate clients and I remember being amazed that they trusted such a small company.
This partnership validated our capabilities and paved the way for other big clients. Working with a well-known brand like TripAdvisor for so many years boosted our confidence and proved our quality and reliability. It demonstrated that we are capable of delivering large-scale projects and catering to the demands of prestigious clients.
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Turning point 4: First Inc. 500 award
In 2018, four years after Lemonlight was founded, we won our first Inc. 500 award. That’s when I finally knew we were a legit company. In my opinion, only “serious” companies can win the Inc. award, and if we did, we must have been on the right path.
This recognition was a huge morale boost for our team and a strong validation of our hard work and growth. Not only did it raise our profile in the industry, it also attracted new customers and partners who wanted to partner with a successful, award-winning company. This honor reaffirmed our commitment to excellence and motivated us to aim even higher.
Turning point 5: Seed round funding
Raising our seed round felt like the final milestone in our entrepreneurial journey: finally, someone other than our parents believed in us and wanted to back what we were building.
Securing this investment has given us the capital to expand our business, hire more people, and invest in better equipment and technology – and it has also given us the confidence to take bigger risks and pursue bigger opportunities.
External recognition shows that our business has real potential and is on the path to sustainable growth.
Related: “Aha!” Moments: How to Know If Your Startup is Successful
Looking back, these key moments were crucial in shaping Lemonlight’s success: In five different ways over a decade, these moments gave us the confidence, resources, and validation we needed to grow from a small startup into a respected company.
As you embark on your entrepreneurial journey, remember to celebrate every milestone, learn from every challenge, and always be open to a moment to change things. Success often comes unexpectedly, and your next big break could be just around the corner. Keep moving forward and enjoy the journey.
