Aiming big from the outset... What I wish I would have known

[Tommy Ray]

Many things to convey here but I will rack and stack by my perception of importance.  Will speak to them as concisely as possible

Always Market - marketing is 1/3 of my business activities.  It is both giving back to community, establishing goodwill, and asserting myself as a subject matter expert (I cringe to say that).  It brings me mentors, business allies, mentorees, assets that are often disguised as "problems" to their owners/past owners.  

Always Invest in Learning - Learning allows max conversion rates of problems to my portfolio.  An ability to assess someone's root issue and negotiate a win / win that also may not involve a heavy "sunk in" cash position to execute is one thing as well.  Learning to couple deal structure (subject-2s, lease options, wraps, owner financing, or a Joint Venture) into the solution scenario(s), while providing absolute transparency, and fully explaining the win / win to don't wanters will make them more accepting.  Trust is hard to earn and easy to lose so manage those expectations wisely.

Standardization of processes - doing everything in a manner (and documenting it) that it can be replicated by the next person in your organization once you feel the need to fire yourself.  You should want to fire yourself and elevate to a position where you get to apply your connective learning.  It will grow a greater understanding of your market, other niches, and other networks so you can assemble greater value.  Operate in the stated spectrum of organizational priorities.  As a buy and hold investor mine are: safety (first), security (second), function (third), and aesthetics (looks are last).  So whenever something is wrong my teams address the issues in that rack and stack of values because monies are usually a limiting factor for managers I have delegated into roles of daily problem solving.

Culture and Content - Add culture and content to everyone and everything you touch.  Leave things better than when you found them.  Sort of like mom telling me to pick up my toys as a kid but at a deeper soulful social level.  Celebrate the grit and struggle of dealing with ever impatient humans.  Stay on target-never waver-never quit-you got this!