The entrepreneurial path is not an easy one. It’s filled with ups and down and in my conversation with Seth Goldman on the Live Purely Podcast, we spoke about some of those moments he’s had along the way. From building Honest Tea and eventually selling to Coca-Cola to launching his new, climate-forward brand, Eat the Change, Seth has experienced every corner of what it means to be not only a successful entrepreneur, but a charismatic leader.

Seth explains that transparency with yourself and your team is key to building a successful brand, and below we dive into a few tips every entrepreneur should hear.

TIP #1: TREAT YOUR PEOPLE WELL

There comes a point in every entrepreneur’s journey when they realize that they can’t do it all on their own. When it comes to building a team, treating each and every member with empathy and respect is extremely important.

As Seth said in our conversation, “Karma is real and if you treat people well, you can feel good about what you’re doing.”

TIP #2: EMBRACE THE FULL EMPLOYEE

Life happens when people are working for you and supporting them at every stage is key to building a business based on trust. Sometimes people are going to be on their A-game and at other times, they might need more support just to get through the day. Being able to provide this support for your employees and meeting them where they’re at ensures that people stay with you for the long haul.

TIP #3: SET CLEAR, ALIGNED GOALS BASED ON TRANSPARENCY

Bringing your team together to set goals allows room for open, honest, and transparent communication and ultimately leads to more aligned goals for not only the company, but for everyone involved. Having clear, aligned goals across your organization ensures that everyone is on the same page and no one is left out of the loop.

TIP #4: ENJOY WHAT YOU'RE BUILDING

Being an entrepreneur can be time consuming and at points feel all-encompassing, especially in the early years. When you’re busy wearing all of the different hats in your business, it can be hard to slow down and actually enjoy what you are creating. When Seth was reminiscing about the early years of building Honest Tea, he mentioned that having other outlets was key to keeping him sane.

Bringing your team together outside of the office can be a really great way to enjoy what you’re building with the people who are helping you build it, like how Seth recently brought his team together for a fun, competitive pickleball tournament. He also mentioned that spending quality time with his family and loved ones allowed him to take a step back from the business and really hone in on why he was building what he was.

TIP #5: HAVE A MORNING ROUTINE

We’ve all heard how important having a morning routine is, but for entrepreneurs like Seth, it’s vital. Waking up every morning knowing that you are going to take care of yourself first, whether that’s going for a run, doing yoga, or sitting down to meditate, allows you to head into your day with a clear mind, preparing you for whatever life decides to throw at you.

If you’re curious to learn more from Seth about entrepreneurship and leadership, listen to the full episode below!