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.

Tori Brawner

I honestly feel as though photography came into my life at just the right time. When I was a teen, my parents got me a really nice kit camera because they noticed I had taken an interest in taking photos of just about everything in front of me. I really hadn’t thought much of making into a profession, but when a friend what was graduating high school asked me to take her portraits, that’s when I really fell in love with photography. Read more>>

Trevor Sweaza

Aloha my name is Trevor. I’m a real estate photography/videography business owner in Kaua’i, Hawaii. I started my business 2 yrs ago in 2021. If I could go back in time I wish I would have started my business sooner. At the time I had a full time career as a Auto Body Paint Refinisher and had done that for about 15 yrs. Read more>>

Dimitry Loiseau

Knowing what I know now, I definitely would start sooner. I started my business after realizing that, what I was studying in school at the time, was not what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. And, of course, you go through the motions of regret and excitement all at the time. You’re basically trying to figure out if you’ve made the best decision for yourself. Read more>>

Marissa Pick

I always dreamed of consulting, and four years ago, I finally decided to make the leap from full-time to consulting and set up my LLC. I was running a global team and traveling extensively with work and after our second son Reid was born I decided to put myself first after realizing I was missing precious moments at home with my family, friends, and kids. Read more>>

Jess Rice

If I could go back in time and start wildHERness sooner, I would. No question about it! It took me a long time to find my passion, with an incredible number of stepping stones along the way. I realize that each step took me closer to the idea of wildHERness. I was raised in nature; it has always been an enormous part of me. Read more>>

Charlmane Bell

I’ve invested 22 years working in the medical field as a Surgical Technologist, and have been financially successful within my career. Once I started dabbing in the idea of creating Hypnotic Gypsy, I immediately felt freedom. Developing the ability to formulate organic products that can help people deal with different ailments, whether it’s internal or external. Balancing their spiritual needs and providing a positive impact, makes me wish I had started this business a lot sooner. Read more>>

Corinne Kushel

I was a very late bloomer. I did have. background in the fashion industry as my parents were very involved in it back in New York. As a young adult I did some showroom modeling and found out I was also a great makeup artist !! So I did that for awhile. Read more>>

Megan Grass

I have “started” my photography business a few times and each time I started I was not in the right place to start it. I wanted it to be my career rather than a passion that supplemented other income. If I had chosen to put 100% of my time and energy into the business then the first time I “started” back in 2014 would have been the perfect time. Read more>>

Emma Essence

I believe Essence Eats came to be at the exact time that it was meant to be. Read more>>

JENNA WAGNER

I firmly believe that every decision and job up to this point led me to where I am now. I am thankful that I had other opportunities to learn what I wanted to do and be and how I wanted to do it all. There is no way I would have known what it’s like to work harder than some coworkers, but make the same amount of money. Read more>>

Lexie Wilson

Looking back; I definitely wish that I had started my business earlier. I’ve always been an entrepreneur at heart – by 9 years old – I had already had a candy business, a laundry business, and a “artwork” business where I sold my paintings to my family. It was clear to everyone – that I was meant to be my own boss. Read more>>

Ericka Lopez

I started Honeybox out of my apartment kitchen at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. In a lot of ways the timing didn’t make sense but it ended up being perfect. Honeybox has always been about bringing people together to gather & enjoy in community. Read more>>