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We incentivized referrals with:"}] 20:["$","ul",null,{"className":"list-disc list-inside text-gray-300 mb-6 space-y-2 ml-4","children":["\n",["$","li",null,{"className":"text-gray-300","children":"Discount codes"}],"\n",["$","li",null,{"className":"text-gray-300","children":"Loyalty points"}],"\n",["$","li",null,{"className":"text-gray-300","children":"Exclusive deals"}],"\n"]}] 21:["$","h2",null,{"className":"text-3xl font-bold text-white mb-4 mt-8","children":"Lessons Learned"}] 22:["$","h3",null,{"className":"text-2xl font-bold text-white mb-3 mt-6","children":"1. Start Before You're Ready"}] 23:["$","blockquote",null,{"className":"border-l-4 border-mint pl-6 my-6 italic text-gray-300 bg-gray-900/30 py-4 rounded-r-lg","children":["\n",["$","p",null,{"className":"text-gray-300 leading-relaxed mb-6","children":"\"If you're not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you've launched too late.\""}],"\n"]}] 24:["$","p",null,{"className":"text-gray-300 leading-relaxed mb-6","children":"Our first version was basic, but it worked. We improved based on real user feedback."}] 25:["$","h3",null,{"className":"text-2xl font-bold text-white mb-3 mt-6","children":"2. Customer Service is Marketing"}] 26:["$","p",null,{"className":"text-gray-300 leading-relaxed mb-6","children":"Every support interaction is a chance to create a loyal customer. We responded to every message within hours, not days."}] 27:["$","h3",null,{"className":"text-2xl font-bold text-white mb-3 mt-6","children":"3. Trust Takes Time"}] 28:["$","p",null,{"className":"text-gray-300 leading-relaxed mb-6","children":"Building a reputation can't be rushed. Consistent quality over months built the trust we enjoy today."}] 29:["$","h3",null,{"className":"text-2xl font-bold text-white mb-3 mt-6","children":"4. Adapt or Die"}] 2a:["$","p",null,{"className":"text-gray-300 leading-relaxed mb-6","children":"The market changes constantly. We've pivoted multiple times based on:"}] 2b:["$","ul",null,{"className":"list-disc list-inside text-gray-300 mb-6 space-y-2 ml-4","children":["\n",["$","li",null,{"className":"text-gray-300","children":"Customer needs"}],"\n",["$","li",null,{"className":"text-gray-300","children":"Competition moves"}],"\n",["$","li",null,{"className":"text-gray-300","children":"Technology changes"}],"\n",["$","li",null,{"className":"text-gray-300","children":"Economic factors"}],"\n"]}] 2c:["$","h2",null,{"className":"text-3xl font-bold text-white mb-4 mt-8","children":"What's Next for Legit Store LK"}] 2d:["$","p",null,{"className":"text-gray-300 leading-relaxed mb-6","children":"We're continuing to grow with:"}] 2e:["$","ul",null,{"className":"list-disc list-inside text-gray-300 mb-6 space-y-2 ml-4","children":["\n",["$","li",null,{"className":"text-gray-300","children":"Mobile app development"}],"\n",["$","li",null,{"className":"text-gray-300","children":"Expanded product categories"}],"\n",["$","li",null,{"className":"text-gray-300","children":"Seller tools and analytics"}],"\n",["$","li",null,{"className":"text-gray-300","children":"Regional expansion"}],"\n"]}] 2f:["$","h2",null,{"className":"text-3xl font-bold text-white mb-4 mt-8","children":"Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs"}] 30:["$","ol",null,{"className":"list-decimal list-inside text-gray-300 mb-6 space-y-2 ml-4","children":["\n",["$","li",null,{"className":"text-gray-300","children":[["$","strong",null,{"children":"Solve a real problem"}]," - Don't create solutions looking for problems"]}],"\n",["$","li",null,{"className":"text-gray-300","children":[["$","strong",null,{"children":"Start small, think big"}]," - Begin with MVP, scale gradually"]}],"\n",["$","li",null,{"className":"text-gray-300","children":[["$","strong",null,{"children":"Listen to customers"}]," - They know what they need"]}],"\n",["$","li",null,{"className":"text-gray-300","children":[["$","strong",null,{"children":"Stay persistent"}]," - Success rarely comes quickly"]}],"\n",["$","li",null,{"className":"text-gray-300","children":[["$","strong",null,{"children":"Build a team"}]," - You can't do everything alone"]}],"\n"]}] 31:["$","h2",null,{"className":"text-3xl font-bold text-white mb-4 mt-8","children":"Conclusion"}] 32:["$","p",null,{"className":"text-gray-300 leading-relaxed mb-6","children":"Building Legit Store LK taught me more than any course ever could. The late nights, difficult decisions, and occasional failures all contributed to growth—both for the business and for me personally."}] 33:["$","p",null,{"className":"text-gray-300 leading-relaxed mb-6","children":"If you're thinking about starting something, my advice is simple: just start. The perfect time doesn't exist."}] 34:["$","hr",null,{"className":"border-gray-700 my-8"}] 35:["$","p",null,{"className":"text-gray-300 leading-relaxed mb-6","children":["$","em",null,{"children":"Interested in digital entrepreneurship in Sri Lanka? Let's connect and share ideas!"}]}] 36:["$","script","script-0",{"src":"/_next/static/chunks/796e69ae18b2784c.js","async":true}] 37:["$","$L38",null,{"children":["$","$39",null,{"name":"Next.MetadataOutlet","children":"$@3a"}]}] 3a:null