7 BUSINESS LESSONS EVERY ENTREPRENEUR NEEDS TO KNOW
June marked my 7-year business anniversary- and honestly, it feels surreal to say that out loud.
Seven years of building, failing, pivoting, growing, and everything in between. And while I love diving deep into systems, psychology-backed strategy, and design that converts… I also know that behind every brand is a human. And behind every human? A whole mess of lessons learned the hard way.
So today, I’m taking you behind the scenes of my own entrepreneurial journey. Here are 7 lessons I keep learning (and re-learning) as a business owner. Maybe you’ll recognize yourself in a few of them.
Lesson #1: Nothing is Linear- And That’s Okay
Let me start with the one that hit hardest.
A few years back, I had a group program launch that completely tanked. Zero sign-ups. Up until launch day, I thought I’d have at least 40 people- maybe even need to cap it at 30. I had so many people show up for my masterclass. I did the whole solid launch sequence.
And nobody signed up for the group program.
I was crushed. I had momentum, buy-in, excitement- and it set me back financially. But it also cracked something open that I couldn’t have found otherwise.
That failed launch showed me what wasn’t working, what I really wanted to be doing, and how I needed to change my messaging. The core lesson? Growth isn’t a straight line. It never has been.
Up, down, full 180- that’s the real path. So if you’re in a weird season right now, where things feel like they’re moving backwards… it might just be that you’re building the capacity for what’s next.
Lesson #2: Create Space
You know those moments when nothing is coming through? No ideas. No inspiration. Just static.
Most of the time when I’ve felt “stuck,” I wasn’t actually stuck- I was overwhelmed. My brain was too full to let anything new in.
When I looked at those stuck periods, my Google calendar was literally a sheet of appointment after appointment. Zero white space. My brain couldn’t process anything new because there was no room.
Now, I know the signs. When I feel creatively blocked, I get brutally honest about what needs to come off my schedule. I cancel coffee chats. Move meetings. Create literal empty sections in my calendar and don’t fill them.
I need margin if I want momentum.
Lesson #3: Silence and Solitude Matter
In a world where everyone is shouting, scrolling, and selling…silence is underrated.
At the start of my entrepreneurial journey, I was heavy into input. Always listening to a podcast. Always scrolling. Constantly bringing in information.
But as I built solid foundations in my business, I started incorporating more silence. I started taking silent walks and it changed everything.
No podcast. No music. Just quiet.
That’s where I get ideas. That’s when I hear what I actually think.
If you’re always consuming, you’re not creating. You’re just echoing.
Lesson #4: Stop Worrying What Everyone Else is Doing
Comparison is brutal. And I’ve done it.
I’ve looked at people who started their business the same year as me and thought, “Why are they further ahead? Why not me?” Especially after that failed launch- I’d see someone else’s successful program and spiral.
I was comparing my behind-the-scenes to their highlight reel.
And it was paralyzing.
Now, I’ve reframed it. If they can do it, that means it’s possible. They’re blazing a trail, clearing the path. That’s the story I choose to believe.
Their path isn’t your path. Your magic isn’t theirs. Stay in your lane, but cheer them on too.
Lesson #5: Know WHO You’re Talking To
You’ve heard this before: If you’re everything to everyone, you’re nothing to no one.
But let me ask you: Do you really know who you’re talking to?
- What’s their coffee order?
- What makes them nervous to open their inbox?
- What TikToks are they sending their best friend at 1am?
Your Ideal Client Profile isn’t optional- it’s foundational. It dictates every other piece of work you do in your brand. What email will you send? What social posts will you make? How will your website speak to them?
If you don’t know, ask. Do interviews. Run a poll. And revisit your strategy when your audience evolves (which it will as your brand grows).
I’m actually doing this right now- re-evaluating all my ICPs because I’m in a shift for the next year or two. Because that person? They should influence everything.
Lesson #6: Time Management is Real- Master It
This is less about hustle and more about harmony.
I’ve always been efficient, always been a hard worker. And having systems that support you and your business is crucial. I live by my calendar, but I’ve had to rebuild those systems several times as I’ve grown.
Some days I answer 42-54 emails. I have to be efficient about when that happens, what I’m saying, and how to move through it without working late or burning out.
Time management isn’t rigid- it’s responsive.
Your calendar should reflect your values and what you need in each season.
Right now, I’m testing a new schedule because my team has grown and my brand is evolving. What worked last year doesn’t work for this season.
Lesson #7: Celebrate Your Wins With People Who Get It
This one’s personal.
At the end of 2024, I published a chapter in a book called “Rise and Find.” It was a huge deal for me. My name in print. An Amazon author page. A literal step closer to a full book (something that I have been working on for awhile now).
But some responses I got were…underwhelming.
“Oh, just one chapter?”
“Cool.” 👍
I found myself matching that energy by downplaying it. Saying, “Yeah, it was just a chapter.”
And that was my wake-up call.
We need to share our wins with people who actually understand what it took to get there. People who know the journey. People who get it.
And more than that- we need to be that person for someone else.
So if you’ve got a win? Big or small? DM me. Email me. I will absolutely celebrate the hell out of it with you.
Your Next Move
Those are the seven lessons I keep coming back to. I hope they hit at just the right time for you.
This work we do- it’s not easy. But it is meaningful.
And you’re not behind. You’re just building something real.
If this episode resonated, share it with a friend who needs to hear it. And if you’re not on my list yet, The Works is where I break down visibility strategies and real behind-the-scenes like this.
