10 Things I Wish I Would Have Known Before Becoming an Entrepreneur…

Ten years ago today, I became an entrepreneur.

On Sept 17th, 2010, I opened the doors to my first business. It was a socially-conscious online retail store, and I still remember my first customer. I was young, ambitious, and blissfully naive to the trials and tribulations of self-employment. As my career evolved through the years, I learned many lessons, asked many questions, and made many pivots. Looking back, my path slightly resembles the twists and turns of a switchback mountain road.

2010 website → 2020 website

If I could travel back in time ten years and offer some advice to myself…or any new entrepreneur for that matter…here’s what I would say:

1. Technology is going to change fast, and you need to adapt. Find a good tech friend.
2. Money will be tight for a long time. Don’t do this for money. Most entrepreneurs don’t pay themselves for the first few years. It will take you six years to earn a salary of which you are proud. Your income will never, ever be consistent. You will experience extreme highs (all inclusive trips to Monaco) and extreme lows (obsessing about spending). You will not walk a steady path…but don’t worry, it’s much more interesting this way!
3. Keep an open mind. Your business will pivot every 3–4 years. Your skills and interests will develop. Take new opportunities when they come. Get comfortable with change. In fact, get excited about it.
4. Longevity counts. Many people will say no because you are “new” or “young” or “unproven.” Don’t be discouraged. Be kind and gracious and genuine to those who reject you. Once you’ve shown you’ve got what it takes, they may just change their mind.
5. A hobby is not a business. Your passion is not a business model. This is perhaps the hardest lesson you will ever have to learn (and to be honest, you’re still learning it ten years later.) You may not always get paid for “doing what you love.” Know your priorities and be prepared to make hard choices.
6. Be selective to whom you listen. You will have many mentors; some whose advice you want, others who thrust their opinions on you anyway. This can be helpful but also confusing. Change this. Change that. I love your website. I hate your website. Some will tell you to turn right. Others will tell you to turn left. In the end, it’s your call. Trust your own judgement. Stay true to yourself.
7. Make decisions fast. It’s better to make a wrong decision and correct it later than to stall from indecision. While we’re on time management: complete your hardest task first thing in the morning. Do the fun stuff at night.
8. You are in sales. Yep, even though you’re not a salesperson, you are in sales. Learn to negotiate. Learn to ask for what you want. Learn how to set boundaries and expectations. Learn how to sell. Regardless of your title or industry or position or what you’d like to think of yourself as, if you own a business, you are in sales.
9. Don’t worry so much. You can do this. You can figure it out. Everyone else is just figuring it out too.
10. Be proud of yourself. Starting your own business is the best decision you will ever make. You took your life into your own hands and dedicated it to something meaningful. This decision will shape every aspect of your being— your home, your health, your mindset, your relationships. You will face your innermost desires and deepest fears, and it will be the most challenging and rewarding experience. But rest assured that in ten years, if given the choice, you would do it all over again.

Oh, and invest in Amazon.

2010 Headshot → 2020 Headshot