5 Lessons After 5 Years of Full-time Entrepreneurship

Coming at you with a personal post today! Over the long weekend, I celebrated turning 35, and next week, I’m going to be celebrating FIVE YEARS since I took the leap and went full-time in my wedding calligraphy business. Today, I want to share with you 5 of the BIGGEST lessons I’ve learned after five years in entrepreneurship (and they may not be what you think!). If you love a good sappy post, make sure you are following me on Instagram too, because I’m sure I will be celebrating there as well! Turning 5 is a big deal after all!

#1 Time is your most valuable resource.

When you start your own business, it can often feel like you have more time than money. Trust me when I say, that quickly changes! Especially once you go full-time! Literally everything requires either your presence or your absence, and that always comes with a cost. It sounds cliche to say that “time is something you can’t ever get back,” but it’s true. And as I’ve juggled running a business, client work, and maintaining a personal life, I’ve had to learn where to put my precious time and how to value it. Heck, I’m still learning! But, I’ve realized that I have the ability to actually create more time by being aware of it, knowing my worth, setting boundaries, and doing every single thing with intention. Of course, it’s always easier to say than to do, but with practice, I’m finally on the right track!

#2 It’s great to have a plan, but leave room for the unexpected.

I’ve learned this repeatedly (if you check your math – you’ll see I was well into my full-time entrepreneurship journey in the middle of COVID…in the wedding industry While I’m the type of person that always loves to have a plan (and then put that plan into ClickUp), it’s important to remember that even well-laid plans don’t always go according to plan. One of my biggest pieces of advice for new entrepreneurs would be to remain open, flexible, and willing to learn.

#3 Don’t let challenging moments discourage you.

Have you ever heard the expression “new level, new devil”? Often these challenging moments are signs that you’re on the right path and they are there to push you to the next level. Even when you feel like you’re failing, it’s a learning experience designed to help move you forward. There really is no such thing as failure in the wild world of owning your own business. EVERYTHING has a lesson.

#4 Always trust your gut and don’t fall into the comparison trap.

Instagram makes it a little too easy to compare nowadays. It’s important to remember that you know yourself better than anyone else. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to life or business, and what may work for one person may not work for another. Don’t spend your valuable time comparing your business to someone else’s. You never know the full picture. When it comes to making decisions or taking action, do what feels right for you and is in alignment with your own values.

On top of that, don’t be afraid to experiment and try different things to see what works best. You don’t have to take everything so seriously just because you run your own business. Trust your intuition and listen to what your mind and body are telling you, and you’ll be on your way to a more fulfilling life and business!

#5 Investing in yourself is always the best investment one can make.

Investing in yourself is never a risk, no matter what form it takes. Whether you’re investing in an online course or mentorship, or are upgrading your tools and software (or even your space!), the reward may not always be seen immediately, but it will come. Even if it doesn’t feel like an immediate return on your investment, taking the time and energy to invest in yourself can pay off down the line in ways you couldn’t have expected. Allowing yourself to take risks, try new things, and explore unfamiliar paths will always pay off in one way or another – sometimes even bringing unexpected surprises! I will be cheering you on as you do!

Don’t Forget to Celebrate (Like I Did For 5 Years Full-Time!)

I knew I needed some new brand photos (stay tuned for a post about that!) so I called Devin from Mile Square Moments to document the celebration. Because trust me – after five years, it IS a celebration. While it hasn’t been without its challenges (see point three again), it has also been the MOST rewarding journey and I could not be happier I took the “risk” 5 years ago. I am SO grateful to each and every one of my clients (both on the wedding side and in the mentoring side of my business), and every single person who has supported me along the way! Thank you!