One of the best things about video games is the ability to restart – you can use your learnings to move faster and avoid obstacles. We often think about what we would do differently if we were starting over in business and we figured others probably think about this as well and so we asked the community to share their thoughts with us.

Anna Leathery

If I could do everything over again, I would do it without fear and without judgement. I would wake up each day with a plan, and be fearless. I look back at numerous days where I just didn’t know where to start or how to walk my path the best I could. The thing is, all we really have to do is just begin. Do the next thing we know is right and do it with all of our heart! In todays society, everything being so online can be really overwhelming. Especially if you’re someone like me who struggles with feeling so much energy from everyone, and being perceived is scary. Putting yourself out there is really really scary sometimes. But you know what scares me more? Read more>>

Lastree Lemene

If I were to start over today, knowing what I know now, I would absolutely invest in a mindset coach and a systems strategist right from the beginning. While I preach the importance of systems in the home, I didn’t have all the right systems in place for my business early on. I know this is normal because many entrepreneurs start this way. However, I realize that if I’d had those resources, like someone to help with my confidence and another to structure the backend operations, I’d for sure be further along. It’s all about having a solid foundation, and those investments could have sped up my journey tremendously. Read more>>

Jesseter Wang

I think a lot of people struggle to pursue their passions because of external pressures. For me, I initially went into architecture to meet my parents’ expectations. If I could go back, I’d jump into animation much sooner—I feel like I’d have learned so much more and built a stronger portfolio by now. My hesitation was mostly due to a lack of confidence, and honestly, that’s something I regret. But I’ve realized that taking that first step often requires a bit of self-assurance. Once you take that leap, each step after can really lead to meaningful progress. Read more>>

Vivian Elecha

If I were to start my career over, I wouldn’t jump straight into full-time freelancing. Instead, I would begin in a corporate setting while freelancing part-time until I was ready to transition. While working on projects like the USAID-YPE4AH project through my role at Yellow Brick Road, I learned something crucial, there’s nothing wrong with a 9-5 job, despite what people might think. The only problem is being in a bad environment with a poor culture. A good workplace can teach you vital lessons invaluable for your business. Read more>>

Jameson Pitts

I would do it all painfully the same. Not because I did everything right, but precisely the opposite. No matter what advice you are given, by the right person at the right time, no matter how smart you are or how trained or educated you are, as an entrepreneur… you have to learn every lesson the hard way. It’s like before you’ve ever been on skis, before you even have your first ski lesson and your friend says to you, “Just remember it’s all in the hips.” That is good advice, but that’s not meaningful advice. It doesn’t mean anything to you, the novice, the beginner. You can’t feel or apply that advice until much later. Until you have rocketed down the hill, shaking through your pizza and slamming into the side of a lift line a few times before you figure out… Read more>>

Michael Thompson

One Word. Plan. A Concise Plan To Make The Proper Moves To Start and Scale Your Business Is Essential. When I first started it was all Ambition to change my life and make money. I have always made moves off impulse since a kid. All I Know Is Just Do It, even more reason why I’m in the industry I’m in. I stand by never letting anyone or anything stop you from accomplishing your goals. So I just started no plan, no credit, no rich family member, or inheritance. Now I understand a plan is must to acquire the proper funding for your business to grow. So for years I was bootstraping and living frugal to invest into myself. Bad plan. Now I have a business plan to map out the future for my company to help my community and create multiple jobs for the people of Philadelphia. Read more>>