The lessons we’ve learned along the way

One of the most important lessons we learned is that our lives and our businesses will teach us along the way. We don’t need to know everything on day one because the challenges we face on day will likely be ones we are already equipped to handle. As we overcome challenges we get better and better and as the challenges increase in difficulty so too does our ability to tackle them.

We asked members of the community that we admire to share important lessons their business or career has taught them and have shared some of those responses below.

Carol Jensen-Linton | Health Coach

That each person I work with is an individual with their own unique needs and wants. I ask appropriate questions to find out what they are and then help devise a plan to help them get what they want. Read more>>

P. Jones | Teeth Whitening Specialist and Kimono Guru

I’ve learned so many lessons in my Entrepreneurial Journey. BUT, by far the most important lesson was: The day I stop expecting that People (Family/Friends) would automatically support my Business. Yes at first it’s very hurtful, especially when you are supportive. Support comes in so many ways: A shoutout, Post, Repost, Tag, Engagement. Once I stop having expectations of who I thought should support and actually focused on those who were a actually supporting my business, Everything changed. So to that New business owner, it’s ok if your Friends or Family doesn’t support the way you expected.There are 1,000’s of strangers who will. Don’t give up. Read more>>

Talen Lane | Yoga Teacher Trainer, Wellness Advocate and Retail Buyer

I have worked for small business and corporations. I would recommend for all people, regardless if you are interested in being an entrepreneur or an employee to do both. Most of my working history has been with corporations and while they get a bad rap there is much to learn and absorb from their success. There is a certain way to conduct business, organize workload, present yourself and your work in order to be recognized. I watch creatives with no background in professionalism struggle to get noticed or taken seriously and while corporate life isn’t for everyone you can most certainly take advantage of the lessons learned in that environment. Read more>>

Kymani Roach | Photographer & Videographer

The most important lesson I learned from my business is that you have to make moves without supervision or guidance. Just be you basically. I can say that this journey would have been much easier if someone was there to mentor me but it wasn’t. As a creative, it’s actually essential to research, learn, and work on your own to achieve the success you desire. Understanding how to do things yourself makes learning with others or helping others easier and more lucrative. It also shows your work ethic when it comes to accomplishing something you put your mind to. In this very interesting world, you do need to know how to “put yourself on” because not everyone shares the same vision and it’s survival of the fittest out here. Read more>>

Lauren Gaughen | Sugar Artist, Baker & Smile Maker

I have learned so much since starting my little business and continue to learn new things every day, but I think the most important things I have learned, would be to know your worth and that it is ok to say no. In the beginning I charged so little for something that took so much time. I would take every order that came in because I didn’t want to turn anyone away or say no, after all, sweets are supposed to make people feel happy right!?. I would be up all night working on orders and then have to care for my two young children during the day. I was running on empty and wasn’t enjoying what I was doing, and on top of that, I was making well below minimum wage! Anything that is handmade and custom is going to take a lot more time and individual attention than what you would find at a big box grocery store. Quality over quantity is very important to my boutique brand. Read more>>