Almost every entrepreneur has had to decide whether to take the leap now or wait– perhaps they wanted to acquire more capital, experience or connections. Given how common this predicament is, we asked some successful business owners to reflect back on whether they wish they had started sooner or waited for a better time.

PACO Alacid

Looking back, I wish I had always followed where life was trying to take me. I picked up my first camera when I was 8, and by 13 years old I did my first paid job as a photographer, but growing up, photography was not something that you would “make money from”. So I studied marketing, created a graphic design studio and marketing agency in Spain and although those experiences were also in the creative field, the truth is that they distracted me from what I should have done from the first day: Setting up my own photography studio. Read more>>

Victoria Jackson

I absolutely wish I had started my business sooner. Planning and design have always been my passion. I was that friend who would take charge of every gathering, every detail, just because I genuinely loved it. For years, I balanced that love as a side hustle while working in corporate America. I spent 13 years building a career, climbing ladders, and eventually hitting a point of burnout. Read more>>

Cam Campbell

When I first started my business, I was already deep in the grind—almost a decade of cutting hair, building a reputation, and doing what I had to do to survive. I had the skill, the drive, and the vision, but I didn’t always believe I had the permission. I was waiting on things to make sense, waiting for the “perfect” time, not realizing that clarity comes after action. Read more>>

Mackenzie Fulcher

If I could go back in time, I do think that I would start my business earlier. I graduated from MSJU with a social work degree, then from UC with a masters in social work. I worked in hospice and absolutely loved my job, but it only fueled half of me. I love serving my families and patients, but I wasn’t also serving my creative side. With wedding photography, I still serve others (in a different capacity) but ALSO serve my creative side at the same time. At one point, I was doing both at the same time, and then my wedding business started getting too busy but I was so nervous to make the jump as it wasn’t as “reliable” as a 9-5. I drained my battery doing both for too long before I finally quit my job to pursue photography full-time and I wish I trusted my gut earlier to go for it! A lot of people in this industry start super young, so I do feel like I’m on the “older” end and that also makes me wish I started earlier so that I could’ve started saving and investing earlier as well. Overall, I’m so grateful for where I am and my journey here, but starting earlier could’ve opened even more doors for me! Read more>>

Richard Chesney

If I could go back in time, I honestly think I started my business at the right time for me. I launched my business in 2010 with a very specific goal in mind — to create an income stream I could rely on during my retirement years. Read more>>