This seems simple enough. Solve a problem. What isn't easy is staying focused on just one problem and one solution. Especially because, as an entrepreneur, you are constantly facing obstacles as you build your business. So, what is the solution to staying focused? Don't focus on the obstacles; focus on the desired outcome. Just as focusing on illness won't create health, focusing on every bump in the road won't get you to your destination.

Pro tip: When you find it difficult to focus, remember the why's of what you are doing: Why did you choose this path? Why do you want to continue? And, perhaps the most important why: Why does this solution matter?

    2. Expect rejection, but learn from every single no.

As an entrepreneur, if you are not accustomed to hearing no yet, you soon will be. Many see a no as the kiss of death for their dream. Entrepreneurs see it differently. A no is not synonymous with failure. Instead, no is synonymous with "you're almost there" and "keep going." Entrepreneurs, upon hearing no, ask themselves what they have learned and how they can improve. Because in entrepreneurship, the only real failure is not learning, especially from every single no.

    3. Hire like your life depends on it; hiring the right people can make or break your company.

Hiring for your company is complicated. Curiosity and persistence are only a few of the qualities you should look for in a new hire, whether they are your friend first or not. You are shaping and changing your company culture, as well as adding to the strengths of your company, with each new employee. Diversity of thought and experience are key attributes when picking a new hire. But, at the end or the day, the most important question to ask yourself is if this person will help your company grow. Because growth, in every sense of the word, is the ultimate goal of hiring.

    4. In order to scale, you have to do things that don't scale.

The mindset of most entrepreneurs just starting out is to prioritize growth over everything else. Growth should be a priority -- in fact, it is a necessary goal every entrepreneur must be working towards to survive. However, success is linked to more than growth when it comes to startups. To effectively scale any business, you much be achieving exponential growth while keeping your costs fairly low. Therefore, the key to success is balance. But, as a startup, achieving balance, and ultimately success, requires patience and occasionally being unbalanced. Thriftiness when possible and constantly pushing forward are the name of the startup game.

    5. Raise more money than you think you need.

Money is hard to make and easy to spend. This is true for individuals and for businesses, and especially true for startups. Let's face it: starting your own business is expensive. The golden rule for startups when it comes to money is fundraising never stops. Period. Just as in life, there are always unexpected costs. Don't get caught with empty pockets. Keep raising funds.

    6. Release your products early enough that they might still embarrass you; imperfect is perfect.

One of the biggest challenges startups face is the initial launch of the product. We, as entrepreneurs, are perfectionists because we are constantly optimizing everything, from our business and strategy to our time and life. Releasing a product "when it's done" is difficult to do because we often feel a product is never done until it's perfect. Staying narrowly focused on a desired outcome can come in handy. Entrepreneurs, as entrepreneurs, set out to create change for their customers via a product. Without customer feedback on that product, you truly cannot understand if change has been created.

    7. Decide, decide, decide; it is better to make a wrong, but correctable, decision than no decision at all.

Every decision can feel like a huge risk when you're starting out. Is this the best color for my brand? The best logo? The best team? The best next step? However, indecision is kryptonite for startups. As Mark Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Facebook, explains, "The biggest risk is not taking any risk... In a world that is changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks." Taking risks is central to startup culture. Trust yourself, stay focused, and you will reach your goal.

    8. Be prepared to make and break plans.

Just as indecision is not good for business, being inflexible is equally detrimental to startups. "If you aren't breaking things," Zuckerberg points out, "you aren't moving fast enough." You have to be ready to pivot at a moment's notice. We, as entrepreneurs, can only be inflexible when it comes to the passion we have for the outcome desire. Everything else must be fluid, fast, and forward.

    9. Have grit and stick with it.

Grit is defined as courage and resolve, or strength of character. Entrepreneurs need strength to overcome the challenges that are on the journey to success. Entrepreneurship isn't an easy path to take, but that is part of the reason why we do what we do as entrepreneurs. If it were easy, everyone would be an entrepreneur. Don't get down when things aren't going well. There will be tons of highs and there will be even more lows. Keep believing and working hard.

Pro tip: Read Angela Duckworth's book Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance for more information on grit and why it's important.

    10. Make your dent in the Universe, and then pay it forward.

Some entrepreneurs think once their "dent" is made in the Universe, their work is done. However, here at Hyperspace Ventures (and I'm sure many entrepreneurs would agree), we see a lot of the value of entrepreneurship in helping other entrepreneurs achieve success. So, once you make your dent, invest your time and money in helping other entrepreneurs make their dent. This is the key to a thriving entrepreneurship ecosystem, where innovation and success flourish.

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