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.

Lauren Pohle

I graduated from nursing school in 2014 and spent the first seven years of my career working in the hospital setting, including the ER, ICU, and PACU. While I loved nursing, I always had a passion for aesthetics. After learning and becoming ‘certified’ in aesthetic medicine, I started seeing aesthetic patients on my own time while continuing to work full-time night shift in the ICU.  Read More>>

Andrea Brandt

I started my business back in 2011, and had no idea what I was doing! I just knew I loved photography and was good with people and that was that. Looking back, I do wish I had waited a couple of years and learned more about the business side of things – marketing, money, how to actually make a profit. Read More>>

Kay Felder

If I could go back, I would’ve started sooner. I started my businesses while playing professional basketball, but I spent years focused solely on my sports career. Looking back, I realize the best business lessons come from experience, not waiting until everything is perfect. My journey gave me valuable perspective, but starting earlier would’ve given me more time to learn, grow, and build. Read More>>

Renee Back

If I could do it all over again, I would’ve started my business sooner. When I worked at Olan Mills for 10 years (my entire 20s), everyone told me I should start my own photography business. They told me they would be my customers. But I had two problems. One, I didn’t believe in myself. And two, I didn’t understand light or camera settings. Read More>>

Lily Monge

I started my business, Monday Muse LLC, in February 2023. Before venturing out on my own, I worked under a well-known brow artist for two years. After those two years, I felt in my core that I had gained enough knowledge and experience to take the leap and build something of my own. Read More>>

Brett Scott

If I could go back in time, there was a period where I wished I had started my business sooner. But with the wisdom I have today, I genuinely believe I started exactly when I was meant to. Before becoming a coach, mentor, speaker and business owner, I had built a successful career across multiple industries. Read More>>

Kathleen Morley

I wouldn’t choose to start sooner or later. Looking back, the timing feels precise. While Leen~In formally began in 2024, the foundation for this work was being built long before the business existed. My professional background is in nursing, and throughout my career I was entrusted with caring for people during some of the most vulnerable and significant moments of their lives. Read More>>

Stephie Paradis

There’s a real sweetness to feeling like I started this exactly when I was supposed to. Much like the name “Road to Paradis-e” suggests, this has been a long road of self-discovery and learning to trust myself. The evolution of who I am and what Road to Paradis-e has become could not have happened any sooner or any later. Read More>>

Melanie Dockery

 

 

 

My answer is no—I believe everything happened exactly when it was supposed to. For many years, my focus wasn’t on building a business; it was on building a family. As a military wife, my husband was often away, and I made a conscious decision to be present for my children. Raising my family was my priority, and I don’t regret a single moment of it. Read More>>

Alexey Koyfman

I wish that I started my business sooner. Starting a business taught me valuable lessons that I could not have learned in school. Being a business owner changes the way you think. You start thinking about return on your investments in terms of both time and money. Running a business helped me improve my problem-solving, communication, and people skills. Read More>>

Tyeasia Dorsey

If I could go back in time, I honestly believe I started my business at the right time. Looking back, there were moments when I wished I had taken the leap sooner, but I now understand that every experience I had beforehand was preparing me for entrepreneurship. Read More>>

London Dior

If I could go back in time , I would most definitely start my ugc and content creating earlier , I wouldn’t have let fear over come me so much . Read More>>

Natalia Rengifo

If I could go back in time, I honestly wish I had started my business sooner. When I first moved to the United States, I was starting over in a new country and trying to build a future for myself. I began doing eyelash extensions from my bedroom, serving clients one at a time and learning as I went. Read More>>

Dan Cody Neathery

When it comes to bringing an idea to fruition, there is no specific time limit. That said, time is one item there is no receipt for a return so to accomplish your dreams and goals, you must apply yourself. Some people get lucky and success falls into their laps but for those who are hungry, luck happens when preparation meets opportunity. Read More>>

Tiffany

If I could go back in time, I would have started my creative career sooner. I consider the beginning of my career to be when I started selling my art, because that’s when I finally allowed myself to believe that what I created had value beyond my own enjoyment. Before pursuing art seriously, I was balancing a lot of responsibilities. Read More>>

Danielle Williams

I started my calligraphy journey as a creative outlet during the pandemic. I have never been a crafty/creative person, I always assumed that “creative” side of my brain didn’t exist. I had no idea I needed this outlet in my life, as about a year after starting calligraphy my mom was diagnosed with dementia. Read More>>

Laura Neto Oliveira

People often ask whether I wish I had started my artistic journey earlier in life. In some ways, the answer is yes. If I had discovered painting sooner, I would have had more years to learn, experiment, and develop my artistic voice. However, I also believe that every stage of life brings its own gifts. Read More>>

Josie

If I could go back in time, I don’t think I would start earlier or later. Looking back, I believe things happened when they were meant to happen. About twenty years ago, I worked on an album project that took several years to complete. During that time, I was fortunate enough to have a song reach #1 on radio. Read More>>

Kevie White

I would have loved to have started sooner. I have been baking on my own since I was six, literally all my life. Presenting goodies for all occasions and making new recipes to share and get input and feedback from family and friends. Read More>>

John Fitzsimmons

a very long story. I started drawing, inventing and building when I was a kid. My maternal grandfather was a machinist/engineer and would always ask me, ‘what are you building?’. Read More>>

Conroy Smith

If I could go back, I definitely would have started sooner. I always wanted to be an actor. Back in middle school, I did plays and absolutely loved it. At first, I loved the attention, but I also discovered that I was actually good at it and enjoyed learning the craft. Read More>>