12 Lessons Learnt from 5 Years in Business from an Impact-Driven Female Founder

This time 5 years ago I quit my job to set up my own business just before I turned 30. There’s nothing quite like a birthday milestone to invoke some personal change!

Truth be told it was pretty daunting and overwhelming — I had never been paid for my own services before and I had no idea how I was going to find clients.

I definitely didn’t know how to run a successful business.

But it was also incredibly exciting. I was determined, I knew I needed to work for myself and when you know you know!

The thing is, like many of us, I had no idea what I wanted to do when I grew up. I fell into roles and forged my path, but the fulfilment I yearned for was missing.

In 2013 I reached a low point. I wasn’t happy in my job and in other aspects of my life, I knew I had to make some positive changes and I knew no one could do that for me.

That’s when I discovered coaching.

Coaching became the catalyst for hugely positive change in my life and it was through coaching that I identified that I wanted to have my own business. Even though that desire had always kind of been there, these things usually are!

It still took me three more job changes to pluck up the courage to hand in my notice to go out on my own. And aside from the odd moments of self-doubt — I’ll get to that here!

I haven’t looked back since.

She Almighty was born and launched at the end of 2016 and I landed my first client that week. Since then we’ve grown year on year and I’m excited for what the future holds.

So what have I learnt from my 5 years in business?

1. Starting a business is a steep learning curve

If you’re looking to start a business, chances are you’ll need to go through an incredibly steep learning curve.

It’s challenging and that can be in a fun and exhilarating way or a totally overwhelming and frustrating way! That leads me to number 2.

2. It’s an emotional rollercoaster

Yep, there’s no getting around it. You’ll have moments when you feel on top of the world when you have a big win or you open up your laptop in a beautiful setting — beach, restaurant (your office that day).

And you’ll have lows when the self-doubt kicks in (this is very normal especially in the early days) and you question whether you’re on the right path or if you even care about what you’re doing (you probably just need a holiday at this point). Be prepared and strap yourself in!

And be kind to yourself, that’s a very important ongoing lesson.

3. You’ll often wear lots of hats

Unless you get funding or you’ve got a very simple business or you’re incredibly skilled, you’ll probably need to wear lots of hats and be doing lots of different things within your business to get it off the ground.

From sales, to marketing, to accounting — that can be a juggling act, knowing what to prioritise and actually really challenging when you’re not doing things you always love or playing to your strengths.

Of course, we don’t have to do it all ourselves, there is the option to outsource, automate and build your team when you have the budget or opportunity.

When you do, do it! You will never be great or highly effective at everything.

4. You need to be able to sell

Whether it’s selling yourself, your service or your product this is a fundamental skill. In order to do that effectively, you need to get your audience — their pain points, challenges, needs, wants and desires.

And you need to present your solution or offering confidently. If someone has shown up at your door there’s an interest. If you had a problem or need would you want it solved or fulfilled?

Don’t hold back and back your offering! And sell the desired outcome, that’s what we’re all after.

5. Marketing is Queen

For obvious reasons, it is essential to get your message, product, or service out there and in front of your target audience in a compelling way; but increasingly challenging in a busy and crowded marketplace.

There are a million and one ways, formats, mediums, and platforms through which you can market your business. You will need to be strategic, find what works then repeat, repeat and adapt — there’s no room for complacency!

6. You need to feel comfortable about asking for and receiving money

Thankfully I’ve never had an issue with this — a background in sales probably helped! But from years of business coaching, I know that lots of people feel really uncomfortable asking for money and often don’t appreciate or place value on their worth.

The thing is, if you don’t receive money or enough money for your product or service, you don’t have a business. Remember money is an energy, it comes and goes and people are more than happy to part with it when they are investing in something they perceive value in.

7. It’s definitely a journey

If you’re in business you need to be in it for the journey. There is no destination in business, otherwise, you wouldn’t have one.

You get a sale or client, you’ll need lots more of them! You reach a target or goal, you set new ones. You get an exciting opportunity come your way, it won’t stop there! You’re in it every day, you need to enjoy it. Even if your goal is to sell your business, it would be better to enjoy the journey right? And then what… You get my point. We’re always on the journey.

8. You will always be evolving and so will your business

It’s true, we’re always evolving and becoming — nod to Michelle O.

I’ve already had 3 websites since launching She Almighty (and too many ideas within the business to count!) and our remit and purpose continue to grow and evolve as I do too.

But if you embrace that, it’s really part of the fun. Is it confusing and uncomfortable sometimes? Hell yes! But isn’t life?! You within business is no different.

9. You need to know your ‘why’ and that will change too!

Why do you get out of bed in the morning? Why do you do what you do? How does that relate to your story? You need to care about and feel connected to what you’re doing, the people you’re serving, the product you’re selling. And you need to be able to communicate that to others.

As you grow as a human, start a family, gain new perspective, your why will likely change too. That’s no bad thing, in fact, it’s very powerful. Just keep tuning in.

10. It’s more exciting when you have a compelling vision and mission

When you are able to connect what you do every day to a larger or collective purpose, you are likely to show up with far more energy and conviction. Reflect on:

• What or who do you really care about?
• How do you aspire to have an impact?
• How will you make your dent, make a difference?
• Again how does this link to your story?

Your purpose is inside of you.

Tell it to the world and the world will join you in it.

11. You’ll probably never feel comfortable

For lots of reasons, because of the evolving piece for one! Because you never have a fixed wage coming in or always know when your next client or sale will come through.

Because in order to grow and progress you’ll need to continue to push yourself outside of your comfort zone — which is actually where the magic happens.

Cheesy but get comfortable with the uncomfortable. It’s also where confidence grows

12. It’s totally worth it

The ups, the downs, the blood sweat and tears — it’s totally worth it.

For the creative, financial and time freedom. For the opportunities and experiences that come your way.

For being your own boss, answering to no one and the unlimited holiday — although often, you might work on that holiday… you’re the boss!

For the sense of accomplishment, feeling and reward that growing your own business baby gives you. It doesn’t trump growing an actual baby — I’ve done that too and within these 5 years! But it comes pretty close :)

Thinking about starting a business? If it’s in you, that won’t go away so why not start sooner rather than later?

Just in case it’s fear that’s holding you back, according to George Addair:

“Everything you’ve ever wanted is sitting on the other side of fear”

so don’t let that get in the way.

You only get one go at this thing called life, there’s no time to settle or put up — we must embrace, live and love who we are and what we do.

Because when we do that, we live a life of purpose, joy and fulfilment and we lead others to make our world a better place.

She Almighty is my vehicle for freedom and family life, for how I have an impact and how I empower other women to be their most powerful and impactful selves. Visit www.shealmighty.com to learn more about our coaching, courses, events and community and how we are making a difference to girls, women and worthy causes worldwide.