6 essential business lessons from 6 years in business
Starting a business is a huge life decision, and it isn’t for everyone. It’s a choice that requires determination, vision and the ability to navigate the twists and turns of entrepreneurship. It’s exhilarating and terrifying all at the same time. But there’s nothing more rewarding than steering your business to the kind of self-built success you’ve always dreamed of.
Five years ago this month, I decided to combine my professional experience and personal ambitions to pursue a life of business ownership. Since then, I’ve learned many things about how to survive and thrive as a small business owner.
To celebrate my 6-year entrepreneurial anniversary, I’m sharing 6 of the best business lessons I’ve learned so you can apply them to help your own business grow.
Lesson 1: Personal growth and mindset matters
Your personal growth and mindset are permanently intertwined with your business success. As solopreneurs, our businesses start and end with us. No matter how uncomfortable you might feel, you must be at the front and centre of your business. Being known and trusted by your audience isn’t optional. It’s essential.
But it isn’t always easy. When I started, I only had one small photo of myself on my website and the idea of featuring more of me in my business was scary AF. It took time for me to be comfortable enough to put myself out there as the face and voice of my business. But now, I wouldn’t have it any other way!
By focusing on personal growth and a goal-orientated mindset, I’ve learned that confidence, adaptability, resilience, and continual learning all play a big part in driving business success.
Lesson 2: Play the long game
Business is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s about consistently working ON the things you need to grow and evolve your business, and not just IN the day-to-day grind of delivering your products and services.
Just as Rome wasn’t built in a day, it takes time, energy and ongoing effort to build up your business in stages. It’s not about going from 0 to 100 quickly. It’s about taking small steps and making consistent progress toward your goals. For example, when I knew I needed to become the face of my business, I rebranded and had professional photos taken. These steps gave me the confidence I needed to put myself out there. Since then, I’ve moved on to filming regular advice videos for my audience – something I wouldn’t have dreamt of doing back in the beginning. Remember, the small steps you take today will be an integral part of what you achieve tomorrow.
In business, I’ve learned, you need the foresight and confidence to first plant the seed. Then you need the patience and determination to water and care for the seedling. Only then will you be able to harvest and taste the sweetness of the fruit.
Lesson 3: Your network is your net worth
I can’t overstate the value of investing time and effort in building beneficial business relationships. Your network can (and will) have significant impact on your business success.
If you rely too much on word-of-mouth referrals, you run the risk of losing leads if things change – what if your usual champions find other suppliers or move out of your industry?
With a wide-reaching network, you’ll have a constant supply of diverse connections who can offer opportunities and insights to support your business growth. And you can do the same for them!
I’ve learned that building a circle of the right business buddies will pay you back in spades. Remember – not everyone will align with your needs and vision. That’s ok, but it’s why you must choose your networks wisely.
Lesson 4: Do what works for you
In business, there’s no ‘one size fits all’ roadmap to success. But I guarantee, you’ll get adamant advice and suggestions from so many people! Some will tell you to niche down or to use particular systems or software, while others will insist you promote your business in a certain way. While all this advice can be well-meaning, you need to consider what’s going on in your business at the time and what you really need. Just because something worked for someone else doesn’t mean it will (or won’t) work for you.
When it comes to forging your business path, I’ve learned you need to focus on what aligns with your goals and vision. And seek advice from people who’ve taken the time to understand what you and your business really need.
Lesson 5: Let go of perfection
The pursuit of perfection is wasteful and costly. Aiming for the unattainable will slow down your progress and make it hard for you to take real action towards achieving your goals. You need to just start on your path to see how your business evolves and remember, no one is expecting perfection except for you.
I’ve let go of the pursuit of perfection because I’ve learned you can’t let the perfect get in the way of the good. The only way to build a successful business is to embrace imperfection and keep moving forward without fear of failure.
Lesson 6: Boundaries are essential
When you’re deeply passionate about your business, it’s easy to let it consume all your time and energy. But this can quickly lead to burnout and impact your ability to make clear, productive decisions. Setting boundaries is critical for maintaining your well-being and giving your business the thoughtful attention it deserves.
I’ve learned to set limits around my work hours, protect time for personal activities, and delegate tasks to avoid overload. Saying no to things that don’t align with your vision or values is also part of establishing healthy boundaries. Remember, your business is important, but so are you. Boundaries help you strike the balance that leads to sustainable success.
Let’s learn and grow together
Six years in business has been a transformative journey—filled with challenges, growth, and triumphs. Each lesson shared here represents a stepping stone that has shaped not only my business path but also my personal evolution. From embracing imperfection to playing the long game, from cultivating networks to setting boundaries, these insights are the building blocks of sustainable business success.
As I reflect on these years, I’m reminded that business isn’t just about achieving goals; it’s about the continuous pursuit of growth, resilience, and authenticity. Whether you’re just starting out or years into your business journey, I hope these lessons inspire you to forge ahead with confidence and purpose.
Let’s keep learning, evolving, and celebrating the wins—big and small—as we navigate the business rollercoaster together. Here’s to the next chapter!
