One of the greatest success stories in history is that of The Beatles. They began in complete obscurity and persevered through many setbacks, failures, and fights to become the most well-known rock and roll band of all time. Some estimates suggest they have sold more than 2,000,000 albums. Their stardom has been a model not only for other bands but also for entrepreneurs.

Although the similarities between business and music may not be apparent, anyone who has started a company or band from scratch knows how difficult it is to succeed.

Notable musicians are also some of today’s most successful entrepreneurs. Kayak founder Paul English, who is reported to be, credits being a musician with giving him the best training in starting a business. Steve Case (AOL), Steve Wozniak (“Apple”), and Paul Allen (“Microsoft”) are other well-known founders who play music.

The Beatles’ story has some lessons for entrepreneurs (it doesn’t hurt that the ending is quite happy). These lessons can be applied to your small business.

Select the right team members (i.e. not necessarily your business school friends)

Friendships can be both a blessing and a curse. Your friendship is already a shorthand. You probably have the same business goals and passions. It can be tempting to choose the people closest to you when you are just out of business school. If you run into a problem, your relationship with the people around you can quickly become strained and personal. This could lead to your company being unable to grow.

Before finding the perfect balance, The Beatles had to go through several members. The Beatles are commonly known as John Lennon and Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison. But that wasn’t their original plan.

Lennon started out playing guitar with a childhood friend. But he fired him after he met McCartney. McCartney, Lennon, and Harrison started playing together as a group with Pete Best, who was replaced by Starr a few years later.

The Beatles did not settle for anyone. As any entrepreneur should, having the right team is a top priority.

Persistence pays off

The Beatles are most well-known as a pop group from the “I Want to Hold Your Hand” era or their more experimental, shaggier albums, like Abbey Road. They were a popular European club band before their amazing music. They honed their skills in Hamburg, Germany between 1960 and 1962, playing endless, eight-hour sets. Being a musician, I can tell you that 8 hours of music would be exhausting.

However, practicing your craft repeatedly will make you more productive and efficient. Without skilled players and a tight band, they wouldn’t be able to make a name for themselves.

They had to endure many disagreements throughout their careers. Famously, George Harrison felt excluded by McCartney and Lennon, which led to a significant divide within the group. They never gave up, despite all this.

Starting a business takes a lot of dedication and perseverance. Although it is the most difficult thing you will ever do, it can also be one of the most rewarding.

I love the process of what you’re doing

Each business is unique and moves along its path, but Seth Godin, a marketing guru, once said that entrepreneurs can achieve success after 6 years of hard work.

Do not make any mistakes when you start a business. You are in it for the long term. Be patient with the process of content marketing and other ways to reach customers online. This will require patience, relationship-building, and above all else, a love for what you’re doing.

Entrepreneurs must enjoy running a business. It doesn’t mean you have to be passionate about your products or love setbacks. However, a passion for problem-solving and creativity is essential.

It is estimated that the Beatles played for seven years before they achieved success. A love of music drove them. Music was their passion. McCartney and Lennon would abandon school in the beginning to write songs. You’re probably learning music at school if you are studying it as a teenager. It is a sign of true passion to find it on your own.

It wasn’t easy to achieve success. It wasn’t easy to achieve success.

Be open to new and bold ideas

Entrepreneurship is not for those who are looking for structure and consistency. This may seem strange since business has always relied on these qualities.

Creativity is essential when you start a business. Even with sound projections and a solid plan, things can go wrong. You must be willing to experiment and adapt to new situations.

Entrepreneurs can succeed by finding ways to make inhospitable markets into income streams that are valuable to the people.

The Beatles could easily have maintained their popularity as pop stars. They chose to reinvent themselves, but keep their melodic sensibilities.

They followed their instincts and created unique music by incorporating George Martin’s innovative production. This was inspired by Harrison’s love for Eastern music and experimentation with song structure and instrumentation.

They were bold and they endured. 

You must be ready to dedicate your life to the business

There are many perks to working for another company. The schedule is the most important. Although you may work long hours at times, your business’s success does not depend on you. At the end of each work day, you can officially check out.

Not so for entrepreneurs. Many owners of small businesses work around the clock. Although you may leave the office at a specific time, work goes on. Even if you are officially taking personal time, your brain still needs to solve problems and review schedules.

Also, work is your life.

Similar to The Beatles, they lived for their music. They traveled for two years between Liverpool, England, and Hamburg, where they played as much as possible. Their time spent in a band was probably as long as their professional and personal lives. They smiled and built a fan base.

The payoff is that, if your cards are right, there will be a light at the end. 

Accept competition… but don’t let it get in the way 

Legendary is the rivalry between John Lennon & Paul McCartney. Both were gifted songwriters, and they both knew it. They were both aware of their talents and refused to be outdone. McCartney could write a more infectious chorus if Lennon had a great rhythm guitar part.

Their competition produced some of the most memorable rock and rolled ever recorded. The two songwriters prevented them from destroying the band by letting their egos get in the way. This is crucial because it highlights the best of the competition.

Friendly rivalries are a great way to improve your business skills, especially as an entrepreneur. You can use competition to inspire you to be more creative and come up with better solutions, whether it’s with your team or with another small business. Don’t let the competition consume you. While it’s helpful to keep up with the trends, the bottom line is that you must make your success.