6 Invaluable Lessons I learned as a New Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurship was never in my life plans. I followed the traditional path of going to college and getting a job, then going to graduate school and getting promoted.

I shunned the idea of entrepreneurship because, in my mind, it was of the startup and tech world. I never heard it used in any other context, and even during my formal education, it wasn't entrepreneurship unless you had some new, unique tech-heavy concept.

Yet, I am an entrepreneur and have been for some time now, whether I realized it or not.

After graduating from college, I became a serial blogger, eager to create something for myself. I joined two different direct selling companies to try and start my own thing and "get rich" without having a "real" job. I joined Fiverr and started a small and unsustainable crocheted animal business. My apartment is full of craft supplies from attempts at greeting card, wine charm, and rustic-chic glass jar businesses.

Despite spending more money on supplies and marketing materials than I ever earned in sales, I was a burgeoning entrepreneur and didn't know it.

"Entrepreneur: one who organizes, manages, and assumes the risk of a business or enterprise." -Merriam-Webster

Early business beginnings

Those first attempts at starting my own business, whether on my own or through a direct sell company, taught me some of the basics of starting a business. I learned about the online space, supply-and-demand, assuming risk, and that building a business certainly isn't a quick endeavor.

Even then, when I started my most recent blog, I thought it would be my ticket to building a business, making money, and living life on my terms. I learned pretty fast that there was far more to profitable blogging than picking a topic and writing about it.

Friends and family supported my endeavor, but those first few years were mostly crickets. I didn't have a niche, a service or product offering, and struggled to work out what I wanted to offer. While I understood the concepts of determining a target audience and serving their needs and wants, everything I leaned toward was out of alignment with my skills, knowledge, and passion.

I didn't give up.

I attended entrepreneurship conferences, joined group coaching programs, and enrolled in as many online courses as possible. Business and entrepreneurship podcasts became my best friends, and I gathered downloadables from anyone who offered something related to online business.

It took nearly two years, a ton of education, persistence, and trial and error before I fully realized my dream business.

My business now

Throughout the beginning of my entrepreneurship journey, I held a regular 9-5 corporate job. COVID-19 hit the company hard, and I knew it was a sign when my role moved out of state. After declining the relocation and accepting a six-month contract to transition the role to the new office, I hired a 1:1 business coach. We defined my skills and interests, decided on my niche, and set my business up for success in three months.

My business is still in the building process. I've had a few clients and have a few more coming down the pipeline. True, I don't have a booming six- or seven-figure business yet, but things are happening. The truth is, I spent a lot of time honing my craft with my two podcasts and blog. I taught myself how to use Squarespace, WordPress, and ConvertKit. I struggled through hours of podcast editing, social media marketing, and SEO. I did this, so when I launched my services, I would know how to use these platforms, the time and effort involved in each task, and what steps to take along the way.

Good things are coming down the line because of the work I put in. There are opportunities to grow and get my business in front of new audiences. I'm sharing my expertise through an online course hosted on another company's platform, which will not only eliminate the selling I have to do but will allow me to gain leads and build my email list.

As I've grown my business and these new services over the last six-plus months, there are six key lessons that I took away from my experiences:

1. It's more than setting up a website

A common misconception in the online business space is that all you need to do to start your online business is to set up a website, and clients will come.

That couldn't be farther from the truth, and luckily it's a lesson I learned right away.

In early 2018 I built a blog centered around supporting women in the music industry. I had no concept of how to monetize the blog. I wrote out a quick bio of my experience in the music industry (a customer service representative at a music publisher), slapped a Contact Us form on the website, and readied myself for the onslaught of client inquiries.

*crickets*

I failed to consider the crucial part of any business: a product or service.

A blog isn't a business. A podcast isn't a business. Now, a blog with affiliate links, ads, and an eBook for purchase? That's a business. A podcast with sponsors, an opt-in, and an eCourse on the topic? That's a business.

It's more than just those things too: it's marketing, sales, business development, and connection. Most of all? It's nothing without an audience.

Tip: Define your product or service, how it will satisfy a need, and then create a website.

2. It takes time to build momentum

Yes, some entrepreneurs strike gold right off the bat with their concept or business. Some authors have viral hits or become New York Times bestsellers. But do you know how many entrepreneurs, companies, or writers we don't see in the media that hustle every day?

Most businesses take time to grow, especially if you're a solopreneur like me. It took at least a year and a half to sign my first client (mostly because I had yet to figure out my niche and service offerings), but I'm still building momentum. Clients aren't just going to show up out of the blue, and most first clients are typically due to a referral or other personal connection. I spend time networking, joining Facebook groups with my target audience, answering questions, and talking to my friends and family about my services.

For some entrepreneurs, building momentum is a snowball effect. I spoke with a fellow podcast manager a few weeks ago about her journey into podcast management. Going into the conversation, I thought she would tell me how she signed clients immediately and built her team right away. Except her story is the same as mine, she's just a few steps ahead.

Tip: Be consistent and persistent. Network and talk about your business with friends, family, and acquaintances. You never know who might need your product or service unless you share it.

3. Burn out is a real thing

I worked a full-time job, regularly attended fitness classes, responded "yes" to every social event invitation, and worked on my business every night. I imagined I could sustain that lifestyle for the long run. The only thing I did by maintaining that schedule was to set myself up for burnout.

It happened mid-2019 as I worked on yet another iteration of a group coaching offer and email funnel. I was a year into building the business and still didn't have a service or a product. Frustrated by my lack of progress and busy with my 9-5 and other responsibilities, I was ready to give up on the business.

Instead, I took two weeks off everything - the business, my 9-5, and everything in between. When I came back, well-rested in body and mind, I had a clear head and an open mind. Within weeks I decided on a niche and a service offering, and the momentum began to build. And instead of building out multiple services and products, I honed in on just one to stay focused on my goal.

The most crucial piece was blocking time for myself into my day or week: Friday nights are my nights to relax and watch television, and Saturday mornings are for reading and quiet. Taking this time helps me clear my mind from the week, find inspiration in other mediums, and reenergize.

Tip: Set aside time each day or week for self-care or to pursue other passions. Focus on one thing at a time, especially if you're working full time in addition to your business.

4. Imposter syndrome is also real

I question myself every single day.

"Who am I to offer podcast management?"

"I don't know enough about this to create an online course and teach others!"

"I can't consult on this - what do I know?"

Sound familiar?

Imposter syndrome is 75% (or more) the reason it took me a year and a half even to consider what service I wanted to offer. Each time I settled on a product or niche in my industry, I questioned myself, my knowledge, and my skills. It never felt right enough, good enough, or I panicked, thinking there was no way I could help anyone achieve their goals.

It is easy to let imposter syndrome take full control of your mind, especially as a new entrepreneur. But when you give it control of your thoughts and your actions, you set yourself up to miss out on incredible opportunities. You won't achieve the goals you set out for yourself, and your business might remain stagnant (or flop).

Imposter syndrome almost prevented me from one of the best opportunities to share my knowledge and grow my business. This opportunity was huge and had the potential to bring in leads, let me share my expertise, and expand my email list. I nearly turned down the chance to apply for the project because I allowed my thoughts to overrule everything else. As the deadline loomed, I thought, "What's the worst that can happen?"

The "worst" that happened was blocking out my calendar to make time for planning and recording content because I got the contract—all by taking a chance on myself and my business and kicking imposter syndrome to the curb.

Tip: Believe in yourself and take chances. Don't let your thoughts about a situation prevent you from fantastic opportunities.

5. It's okay to pivot your services and product offerings

Over the years of following fellow female entrepreneurs, I noticed one thing: not one of them has the same offerings they had two or three years ago. Many still have the same mission and vision and are in the same niche, but their products and services shifted over time. Some even pivoted from one type of offering to something entirely different. Yet all these new and diverse offerings still reflect their brand and vision, solve a problem for their audience, and are a better fit than any other iteration.

My business shifted and pivoted as I learned more about online business, as I analyzed my skills and interests, and as I realized what solutions I could provide. I started the company with thoughts of creating a group coaching program for wellness in the music industry (which I never built out), and now I offer podcast management and podcast launch consulting. Talk about a pivot!

Over the last two years, I developed my skills in podcasting to the point where I can offer it as a service to my clients, and it makes sense. It's also a fast-growing niche as people flood to create podcasts, so there is also opportunity.

Tip: Don't get stuck on one iteration to the point where you're not willing to shift, make changes, and see what else is possible. Pivoting is part of business as industries, technology, and customer needs change.

6. Clients are not all created equal

As every service provider and offering is different, so is every client. In the beginning, I naively assumed each discovery call, each client I signed, and each process would be the same. I spent years in the customer service field, so this was a fact I should have known - every client is unique.

Clients have their systems and methods. Each has a different communication style, whether they over-communicate or under-communicate. While you can still hold firm to your processes and communication style, there is a compromise that has to happen.

With my full-time job, I set out strict office hours for my business, only allowing communication before and after work. I let clients know that deadlines are okay, but I need to work on my own time in the evenings and on weekends. My agreements provide that I will reply to emails or voice messages within one business day. I set these boundaries to avoid burnout, keep myself organized, and be productive in my day and week.

Clients, and even potential clients, will test that. Several weeks ago, an acquaintance forwarded a referral (by group text message) for podcast management. After reviewing my available times for a discovery call, this client asked if I had any other availability, as those times weren't convenient for him. I conceded - I needed to sign a client - and offered to open up a Sunday afternoon for him. I changed my calendar, planned, and prepared. His reply? An attempt to schedule (again, by text) Sunday morning when I explicitly said I was busy. Is this the kind of client I want?

Another prospective client and referral came to me last week (by the appropriate channels I set out). Despite only a few available times for a discovery call, she booked it without question. I want this client.

Everyone is different, and though only being in business for a short time, I'm defining my ideal client and holding firm to my boundaries early on. I'm recognizing differences in styles and methods and adapting to each. There will be clients that push boundaries, try to change my work style, or let me do my own thing. It's all in understanding differences and adapting as necessary.

Tip: Take each client as they come, hold fast to some things but be willing to go with the flow in others.

Entrepreneurship is an ever-evolving learning process, and the only way to learn is by taking action, recognizing the lessons, and applying your learnings each step of the way. I will never forget these six lessons I learned at the beginning of my journey, and I hope that these will inspire, motivate, or help you in your entrepreneurship experience.