Let’s talk about the biggest tech company the world has ever seen, Apple. Its co-founder, Steve Jobs, had no technical skills before the company was founded. There is also no concrete evidence that he developed the required technical skills along the way. However, Apple’s success can be attributed almost entirely to it. Steve Wozniak had the technical prowess to make certain technologies possible. Steve Jobs’ strategic and creative mindset propelled the company to global dominance.

Apple’s startup story took place in the 70s and 80s. But the same is still available in our world today. Non-technical founders build technology companies and lead them to success. Evan Sharp from Pinterest is an example. How did these non-Zuckerbergs jump in and navigate the turbulent tides of technopreneurship?

Here’s how they took the right steps and what aspiring non-technical founders can do to replicate those steps.

First, Determine What Exactly You Are Doing

Are you just working on a fancy idea because it’s cool, or are you solving a real problem? There are many early-stage startups that are developing truly sophisticated technologies that could transform the world. Unfortunately, many of them do not solve a real problem.

When deciding to start your own tech startup, with or without tech skills, it’s crucial to be clear about the problems you’re solving. That’s why companies exist in the first place, isn’t it? Another thing to understand is a long-term view. As the business takes off, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by everything that’s going on. You can quickly be swept away by the waves of technology. Therefore, develop a roadmap from the start as well as an exit strategy to guide you. They serve as a sort of compass for navigating in high water.

Related: Launch a start-up? Ask yourself these questions first

Identify and recruit the right technical skills

You are obviously aware of your lack of technical skills but the vision is yours. The business is your child. And you can’t build it alone. One of the first things to consider is finding a technical co-founder. Having a co-founder does not necessarily increase your chances of success. But it’s good when you build to have someone who is as passionate as you and with the necessary skills that you lack. When Evan Sharp developed the idea for Pinterest, he immediately sought out Ben Silbermann for his technical skills.

Nonetheless, finding a co-founder is daunting. Choosing a co-founder is a lot like choosing a marriage partner. So technical experience may not be the number one quality to look for. You should figure out how compatible you are together. Their values, their belief in the project and the technology, their understanding of the problem to be solved and their personality. These are important because co-founders’ relationships can get really messy if they don’t match up well. So, you may find yourself settling for a non-technical co-founder. And as long as you can work around the technical challenges, it’s much better than a toxic relationship.

Related: How to find a technical co-founder in 5 steps

It’s time to focus on your strengths

Your chances of success are higher when you focus on your strengths. Instead of spending valuable time tweaking your weaknesses which can only be mediocre at best, use your strengths more often. Exercising your strengths during your entrepreneurial journey can increase your fulfillment and make your adventure more enjoyable.

A better understanding of yourself is necessary to identify your strengths. I know it’s not a very simple task to look within and understand what you can do almost naturally. You can use Gallup StrengthFinder to assess your strengths as well as those of your potential co-founder.

Improve your business acumen and managerial skills

Several qualities are necessary to succeed as an entrepreneur. Strong business acumen and the ability to manage people are among the most important. Never forget that it’s your business. The decisions you make and the deals you negotiate determine the fate of your business.

There are several management styles. Take a look and identify the one that best describes you. There is no wrong style of management, but there are styles that might not suit your type of business. Find one and be determined to improve it.

While you’re at it, you need to learn how to spot opportunities, negotiate, network with the right people, and seek advice from more experienced entrepreneurs. These can help you broaden your perspective and, therefore, make you more business savvy.

Related: Increase your business acumen with these 12 books

Make it a learning journey

I spoke with young founders who thought their first startup would be a unicorn. And when things didn’t turn out the way they had imagined, they backed down and couldn’t find the courage to try again. It shouldn’t be you.

Almost every great player today has lost everything or failed in a business or two. You must resolve to learn from every failure and celebrate every success, no matter how small. This way, you will actively work on becoming a better person. Entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint.

Last words

Starting out with no technical experience can make things a bit difficult, but isn’t that the fun? If entrepreneurs wanted it easy, I bet there would be a shortage of convenience store jobs.

Don’t let difficulties discourage you. Set your course by determining the problem you want to solve. Find a co-founder, preferably with the required technical experience. Things will be much easier if you do. But if you can’t find a tech partner, there are several no-code apps to play with.

Focus on your strengths and improve your business acumen and managerial skills. You just need to stay committed to the cause, learn, and be ready to make drastic changes if needed. Things are likely to work as they should.