Mistake #10: Not Knowing the Shortcuts You’re Taking — and Why

Every founder takes shortcuts. It’s part of surviving the early stages of business. You’re short on time, short on money, and constantly trying to keep things moving. Maybe you skip a test batch to hit a deadline, use cheaper packaging to meet MOQ, or launch without the perfect marketing plan.

Shortcuts aren’t always bad — sometimes they’re necessary. But the real mistake is not knowing when and why you’re taking them. Because the moment you start cutting corners without understanding the consequences, you’re setting yourself up for bigger problems later.

The Hidden Cost of “Fast”

I’ve learned that every shortcut comes with a trade-off. Saving time often costs money. Saving money often costs quality. And ignoring details can cost trust.

Early on, I rushed a production run to hit a trade show deadline. The formula was solid, but the labels were printed in a hurry. They looked fine at first glance — until customers started noticing smudges and uneven cuts. It wasn’t catastrophic, but it left a poor impression that took months to fix. The irony? I thought I was saving time. In reality, I created twice the work.

Intentional vs. Accidental Shortcuts

There’s a big difference between intentional shortcuts and accidental ones.

• Intentional shortcuts are strategic. You understand the risk, accept it, and plan to fix it later. For example: launching with limited fragrances to test demand before expanding the line.

• Accidental shortcuts happen when you’re unaware or careless — like skipping stability testing or skipping documentation. These are the ones that come back to haunt you.

The key is awareness. You can bend a process temporarily — just don’t break it permanently.

How to Manage Shortcuts the Smart Way

1. Acknowledge Every Compromise — If you’re skipping a step, write down why, and when you’ll fix it. Treat it like a temporary loan, not a permanent decision.

2. Prioritize by Risk — A label delay isn’t the same as a formula issue. Some shortcuts are recoverable; others aren’t.

3. Communicate with Your Team — Make sure everyone understands what’s been skipped and why. Surprises cause mistakes.

4. Set a Revisit Date — Don’t let temporary fixes become permanent habits. Schedule time to clean up shortcuts once you have breathing room.

5. Don’t Hide Shortcuts from Yourself — Denial doesn’t make risk go away — it multiplies it. Be honest about where you cut corners.

   

The Takeaway

Shortcuts are a natural part of growing a business, but they should never be unconscious. The difference between a founder who survives and one who burns out is intentional decision-making.

Take shortcuts when you must, but always know the trade-offs — and plan your comeback to full quality. Every corner you cut today should come with a plan to round it out tomorrow.

💡 Founder’s Reflection (Mayer):I used to rush everything — I thought speed meant progress. Over time, I learned that shortcuts only work when you take them with your eyes open. Now, every time I skip a step, I make sure I understand the cost — and I never let a “temporary fix” turn into a long-term flaw.