Helping more people thrive doing what they love or are passionate about means helping more folks learn from those who came before them and so we asked successful entrepreneurs, artists and creatives to tell us what they would do differently, knowing what they know now, if they were starting over.

Kate McCall

If I were starting over, one thing I would do differently is ask more questions and ask for help! I was extremely determined to succeed in my career, but failed to realize how much more quickly I could reach my goals if I had accepted more help from others! There is so much power in asking for help and allowing others to teach you from their own experience. I firmly believe that I could’ve made it to where I am today faster if I had asked more questions from the very beginning of my venture. You would be surprised at how many people are willing to lend a helping hand if you give them the opportunity to do so! Read more>>

Melissa Bandera

I started my business back in 2012 after designing and building a few blog sites for a few friends. I was enjoying the work and just went for it. I never regret having that impulse to go for it – but there are a couple things that I would have done differently. The main one being how I structured my rates and packages. The biggest mistake I made was pricing myself so low that it was impossible to truly turn my side hustle into a full-time career for myself. I always felt awkward to talk about pricing and money with other freelancers that I knew, so instead I just priced myself into a corner. Read more>>

Rochelle Johnson

Network more! Networking connections with the answers you don’t know youll need when starting a business. YOUR CONNECTIONS will determine how quickly you get through some key parts of entrepreneurship. Read more>>

Kimberly Wulff

I would believe in myself and not take failure so serious or heartfelt ,I would know I can do better the next time with more experience behind me . I would look at things more positive and not be nervous of every upgrad . I would also be better at knowing when i have outgrown something and that means it’s time to spread my wings and fly again . Be excited for change . Be excited for the unknown and welcome new experiences. I have learned that one must face your fears to get over them . On the other side of fear is freedom. Read more>>

Kassandra Chavez

If I were to start over, one of the things I would do differently would be to educate myself more on how to become a successful independent stylist and truly believe in myself. In beauty school, they don’t teach you how to really work for yourself successfully. They encourage you to work as an assistant for 2 years and then maybe you can start working as a booth renter or commission based stylist at a salon. That is exactly what I pictured my career to be when I graduated. Read more>>

Emma Musto

When I first started my business in January of 2020 I was scared, like most entrepreneurs are at first! But I quit my job and took the plunge anyway because I knew I could never survive in a normal 9-5. I needed to create a lifestyle on my own terms that I would be happy with. It was the best decision I ever made and I would do it over and over again if I had to. But if I were starting over, I would invest in myself and my business WAY sooner than I did. I would hire a coach or mentor from the get-go. The saying goes “you don’t know what you don’t know.” And it’s true! Read more>>

Emily Ward

If I were to start over there are several things I would do differently, knowing what I know now. The most valuable change I could have made was putting a bigger emphasis on social media presence and really crafting my niche image on the various platforms. Being a stay at home mom of two young children and sole business owner and operator requires a lot of flexibility and being able to have the background income from the now growing “creator” craze on socials would have helped boost my investable income. Read more>>

Jon Ewell

I’ve always had many interests and I’ve never focused or specialized in one thing. If I could start over, I would love to focus on one specialty. Having a lot of skills and interests helped me to stay employed–or in business– through all of the recessions and other adverse events over the years so I’m thankful for my that. But there is a constant need to learn and practice all of these areas to stay on top of my game and to compete with younger, hungrier creatives who are coming up. Read more>>

Diego Dominguez

As it happens with most everything in life, it’s all about building value through your career. You have to increase your quality and learn new techniques. You have to adapt, you have to innovate, but what brings you money is above all consistency. Once the wheel starts moving it has inertia that makes your business keep going and growing no matter what, except, of course, catastrophic events or a lack of any of the mentioned above. I am an adventure and I am always looking for something new and exciting, which adds some value to my services, but it mostly reduces my client base. If I were to start over, Id have been more consistent. Read more>>

Jennifer Hill Booker

I am dream driven-meaning that I use lists and vision boards to help me stay on track of achieving my dreams. My focus stays the same, although I may add different things that I want to achieve and remove items as I do achieve them. I’m at a point in my career where I’ve achieved the majority of items on my list and find myself at a loss of what to do next. So, one piece of advice I can give is to Dream Big. No matter how outlandish or unachievable others may find your dreams-they are there to keep you motivated and focused. I sometimes feel that if I had bigger dreams, in the beginning of my culinary career, that I would be further along in it. Read more>>

Michelle Hoffman

If I were starting over, I would do my best to break out of my introvert shell and find ways of advertising my services. I’ve been editing since 2017, and people still tell me they had no idea that I offer it as a service. As far as my writing goes, if you don’t advertise your books, they don’t get purchased. It’s sad but true that a little word of mouth is no longer enough. I see authors today having to use multiple social media sites to plug their stories, sending out newsletters, paying for ads, and begging others to share and review their work. Read more>>

Leanne Gelish

I have been a photographer for over ten years, but it wasn’t until 2020 when I was forced to stop did I take a chance to look around. I realized that while I was “busy” I wasn’t working smart or towards a “goal”. I was just “being a photographer.” In 2020, I was able to start over and in retrospect, there is so much I would have done differently ten years ago. Read more>>

Sam Glover

If I had a chance to start over there would be a few things I would do different to give me a head starts in to being further along in my success. You cannot cheat the path or journey to success the work has to the done regardless but Preparation is something I did not take as seriously as did in year 3. The next obstacle I would of implement earlier is doing more collaboration, and experience work just to sharp my skills and add more reps to my growth in this industry. Read more>>