5 Lessons From Entrepreneurship That No One Tells You
As we approach our 5th business anniversary this October, I’m filled with a deep sense of gratitude and reflection on how much has changed since I first started. This journey has been full of unexpected challenges, rewarding successes, and countless lessons that have shaped not only my business but also my personal growth. From the rollercoaster of entrepreneurship to learning that success isn’t just about hitting goals but also finding fulfillment, I’ve gathered valuable insights that I wish I’d known from day one. Today, I’m sharing five key lessons that no one tells you about entrepreneurship—truths that have been pivotal in helping me navigate both the highs and the lows with grace and confidence.
👉🏼 1. The Rollercoaster is Real
Entrepreneurship is like a rollercoaster ride, full of exhilarating highs and daunting lows. In the beginning, I had a deeply dysfunctional mindset around money, constantly worrying that each client could be my last and fearing the inevitable dry seasons. Over time, I learned that these ups and downs are just part of the journey—not just financially, but also in terms of energy and focus. It’s essential to be wise with your resources, save for lean times, and, most importantly, be gentle with yourself when inspiration wanes. Trust that both your passion and your business will be revived. Embrace the ride, and learn to navigate it with grace.
In the past, those dry seasons would leave me feeling stuck and paralyzed, unable to invest back into my business. But now, I see them as opportunities. I’ve learned to use the slower periods to follow up with clients, work on marketing ideas, or simply invest in hobbies that keep my creative mind sharp. It’s not just about pushing through but about knowing when to lean into self-care and relationships, trusting that every slow season will bring its own lessons.
Financially, it’s crucial to save when business is booming so that those lean times don’t feel so daunting. But it’s also about building a habit of working on your business, not just in it. During these moments, I tighten up my client workflows, improve business systems, and make sure my services are top-notch. When business picks up again, I’m not scrambling; I’m ready. And beyond the hustle, these moments of rest have taught me that breaks aren’t just necessary—they can spark new ideas, inspire confidence, and help me reconnect with my “why.”
👉🏼 2. You Don’t Have to Know It All
Imposter syndrome is a familiar companion on the entrepreneurial journey. As a self-taught designer, I’ve often worried that I didn’t know enough or wasn’t enough to fully satisfy my customers. But here’s what I’ve come to realize: people don’t expect you to know everything. They just need you to know more than they do. In the beginning, I often felt like a fraud, but the truth is, most clients value your heart, patience, and your ability to walk them through the process calmly.
Google is my friend! If I don’t have an answer right away, I can usually find it with a quick search. But more than that, what my clients consistently praise me for isn’t my ability to know everything, but my willingness to teach and guide them with a calm, gracious approach. Design is stressful for a lot of people, and I’ve learned that what I’m really offering is not just my design skills, but the ability to make people feel supported and understood through the process.
There is a balance to this—yes, there are times when I learn something new or update my skills, but I no longer put pressure on myself to know every single thing. What’s far more valuable is becoming really good at a few key things and specializing. My credibility comes from my journey, my dedication, and my heart of service, not from knowing it all.
👉🏼 3. You Can’t Be Everything to Everyone
As a recovering people-pleaser, I’ve learned this the hard way: trying to serve everyone is a fast track to burnout. In the early days of my business, I was afraid of missing out on potential clients. When someone would ask if I could design on a different platform or offer additional services, I’d immediately feel this pressure to accommodate them, even if it stretched me too thin. There was this constant sense of urgency to meet every need, which led me to add several services and manage more contractors than I should have. Within six months, I realized the little payoff wasn’t worth the extra time I spent on administrative tasks and communication.
Over time, I’ve become much more careful about what I add to my service offerings. Now, I’m intentional about finding the balance between meeting the needs that truly fit my niche and keeping things simple for my well-being and enjoyment. After all, it’s my business—and it should be something I love!
The freedom that comes with narrowing my focus has been life-changing. I now focus on what brings me the most joy—like helping clients with those early, exciting stages of finding their business name or building their visual brand identity. The “new thing” energy is what excites me the most!
Letting go of the pressure to be involved in every part of a client’s process was also a big shift. I’ve built a strong network of service providers who share my values and can serve my clients well. I can now confidently refer my clients to them without feeling like I need to manage their projects myself. It’s been so freeing to recognize that I don’t have to have my hands in everything in order to be a valuable resource and connector.
Narrowing your niche not only enhances your credibility with clients but also for yourself. When you specialize in a specific area, you spend more time honing that craft. Over time, you naturally become an expert, not by trying to master everything but by fully investing in your chosen focus. The more time and energy you invest in that one area, the faster you’ll grow, both in experience and expertise.
👉🏼 4. Success Won’t Fulfill Your Deepest Needs
In our work-obsessed culture, it’s easy to get caught up in the relentless pursuit of success. We push ourselves to the brink, driven by an often vague notion of what success should look like. Yet, even when we reach those goals, they may not fulfill us as we expected.
In my business, I’ve never been focused on “building an empire.” That’s not my goal. My goal is to serve others while creating a life that allows for balance and well-being. This isn’t about chasing a definition of success that society imposes on us—it’s about crafting a life that aligns with who I want to be, both personally and professionally.
To me, success means being able to pick my girls up from school every day, to have time to enjoy simple joys like gathering blueberries in the backyard, or to sit quietly in the presence of God. It’s about showing up as the mother and wife I want to be, while also having the space to walk alongside other women in their business journeys. The work I do contributes to my family’s income, builds my creative confidence, and allows me to have something that brings me joy and pride. Success is an ever-growing, evolving process—one that brings fulfillment on my own terms, not just by societal standards.
True success is not just about reaching the top; it’s about understanding what genuinely matters to you. Regularly check in with yourself, your people, and God to ensure your business moves are aligning with your core values rather than getting lost in a cycle of ambition that doesn’t serve your soul. Remember, success is not a destination; it’s about finding meaning and fulfillment in your journey.
👉🏼 5. It’s Okay to Pivot
In entrepreneurship, adaptability is key. After my first year in business, I realized I needed to make a major shift. I had been operating on a traditional package-based design model, and although it brought in work, it wasn’t sustainable. I was burned out and dealing with a back injury from spending too much time at my desk. It was then I decided to pivot my entire business model to a VIP Design Day approach. This decision didn’t just save my health—it doubled my revenue the following year. It was proof that change can be a powerful tool for growth, allowing me to serve my clients more efficiently while improving the quality of my own life.
Sometimes, you know it’s time to pivot when your body or emotions are giving out, or your intuition is telling you to switch gears. In some cases, I set specific rules to guide when I need to make changes. For example, if I’m booking projects 8 weeks in advance, for 8 weeks in a row, I know it’s time to raise my prices. These little markers help me take control of changes in my business, rather than fearing them. It’s all about balance and understanding when it’s time to embrace a new approach.
When it comes to implementing those changes, break things into smaller, manageable steps. The behind-the-scenes work may feel daunting, but outsourcing when necessary and investing time or money upfront will ultimately help you reach your goals faster and more effectively. Remember, pivoting isn’t failure—it’s an opportunity to grow in a way that aligns with your values and enhances your business.
Our free Core Values Workbook pairs perfectly with this blog post because it is designed to help you clearly define your business’s core values and brand ethos, which are crucial when facing challenges like these that require strategic decisions. By understanding what truly drives your business, you’ll navigate hurdles with confidence and stay aligned with your vision.
