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.

Sarah Gibson

If I were starting over, I’d invest heavily in MYSELF. Technical skills comes with time and with practice, but doing the deep work on who are you, how you operate, and what you want to share with this world and how you want to share it……that is what builds vision and fosters the confidence to pursue it. I (slowly) built a reliable and successful business, but I wasted a lot of time, always playing it safe, because I lacked the confidence in myself to just GO FOR IT and take the bigger risks. Don’t stagnate, just because it’s comfortable there. Read more>>

Haeley Gjesvold

I love this question because there are so many things I would do differently! First of all, I would have created a lot more structure. With everything really; launch structure and deadlines, new scent structure and deadlines. I feel like I was so frantically busy that first year I think if I had taken some time to truly organize and plan everything out it may have been more efficient. Also, if I had more structure and organization I would have gotten less sidetracked. When your new, everything seems so exciting and like something you could add but now I know that new things are fun but unless you’ve built and nurtured an audience with your current offerings then nobody is gonna see it or buy it. I would have started with less offerings and spent more energy on the actual growth of the business and connection with customers. Read more>>

SATHISH KUMAR S K

These are the measures I would have taken if I were starting my career over today to get there more quickly and effectively. Read more>>

Melissa Parsley

If I could do anything differently I would definitely do more research prior to going into business. When you have a talent and people recognize it, you’ll constantly hear people say”oh you should start your own business. You’ll do great!” I heard that a lot and I did some research, but it was ok products, not actually on starting and running a business. Read more>>

LaShonda Brown

After a decade of being a service provider, I decided I was ready for a shift in my life. I’ve been doing YouTube full-time since January 2022 and this time around I’ve made a point to be very intentional with how I schedule my days and manage my workload. I am able to work 20 hours a week without sacrificing my income by leveraging tech tools and AI. I’m so grateful for this shift in mindset and I’m the most joyful I’ve been in a really long time. Read more>>

Lawrence Gober

If I were embarking on my visual arts journey today, I would prioritize active engagement with local events on a consistent basis. By actively participating in such events, I would have the opportunity to showcase my skills and establish meaningful connections with the individuals I serve. This direct interaction not only demonstrates the quality of my work but also showcases my ability to effectively engage with others. This personal touch significantly impacts the perception of potential clients, as they are more inclined to conduct business with individuals they feel comfortable with and can trust. Building relationships based on trust and rapport becomes a pivotal factor in fostering successful professional collaborations. Read more>>

Maurice Anderson

So back when I started collecting stuff for the shop and figuring out what I wanted to do with the store I wish that I had went with a bigger space and bought more variety to fit all my customers. That way there would be more in the store for people to enjoy. I was scared to pack it out because of the initial cost and now it seems to be thriving because or the amount of items I keep on the shelve. Read more>>

Lia Kim

 

Throughout my journey as an entrepreneur and designer, I’ve experienced plenty of ups and downs, encountered failures and made mistakes. If I could start my journey all over again, I would cherish every opportunity that came my way. I would not fear failure nor would I let stress overrule me. There were moments when stress and depression came, causing me to overlook what will come on the future. However, the most valuable lesson life has taught me is that everyone makes mistakes and experiences setbacks, but it’s all part of our human experience. I truly believe that when one door closes, another one opens. As long as you remain diligent, work hard, and maintain a positive mindset, you’ll eventually see the light at the end of the tunnel. Read more>>

Angel Thornton

If I could do it all over, I would be more patient with the process. I was so consumed with wanting to be in a location that I didn’t calculate how much everything would cost me. I had a vision with no real place. I didn’t think about products that I could sell which would bring in revenue. I didn’t have a full team. I just wanted to be in a space better than I was at with the people I had already. I did not receive any funding so everything came out of my pocket. Read more>>