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.

Kris Gibbs

I would spend time & energy more intentionally by utilizing connections as potential business and honing in on a cleaner overall brand. I’d also stop doing free shoots. Read more>>

Hannah Klingman

If I were starting over in my business and I wanted to fast-track the success of it, I would have hired a business coach to help me navigate setting up the foundations of my brand. I DIY’d the majority of my branding, messaging, marketing strategies and materials, and more. It was a great learning experience, but it took tons of time, research, and trial & error. Because I didn’t hire experts to create these pieces for me, I’ve had to go back and recreate a lot of the work I did in the beginning to make it more focused and professional. I could’ve gotten where I am today much faster and easier if I had hired experts to do what they do best while I put my energy elsewhere! Read more>>

Adrienne Dean

If I was to start over. I would first learn more about financial literacy and the importance it has when and building business and personal credit. Read more>>

Ibrahim Aladogan

I’ll keep it simple. I think Its most important key. Read more>>

Ryan Abney

My advice for those starting out is “You can do anything, but you can’t do everything”. This piece of advice is important for new entrepreneurs that are putting pressure on themselves to do and be all things. Please remember, slow and steady. Read more>>

Haley Thomas

I absolutely love serving joyfilled couples and their families by capturing beautiful portraits and candid moments during their wedding celebration! If I could start over, I would hire out the parts of my job that detract from the joy and purpose, sooner!! Hire out book keeping, hire an accountant, pay somebody to cull my images. Now, I get to focus on the important parts of my job, the passion, and prevent burnout by trusting others to accomplish the draining tasks for me! I am a better photographer for it! Read more>>

Clara Overmier

I would start with a small business loan. I think trying to finance myself stalled my full potential. Also, invest in the time to find a partner. Someone who you believe would work as hard or harder than you. Having a good partner also helps support the burden of all the behind-the-scene duties. Read more>>

Quiana Brundidge

If I was starting over I wouldn’t procrastinate as much. In the beginning of me doing photography I was so afraid to fail and instead of pushing myself to work through that doubt, I wasted a year on something that I now love to do. So my advice is to push yourself no matter what. Try it out anyway you might love it. Read more>>

CJ Hernandez

I did! Around three years go around COVID, I saw an opportunity in all the chaos, not so much as to start over but to find a new opportunity to use the skills I’ve acquired for 14 years as a Graphic Designer to make a move to another profession. At the time because of COVID I was hardly working and thought I finally had the time to use my time and focus on something different, learn a different skill, or even change my career path. My excuse always was that I didn’t have enough time to do so, I couldn’t use that excuse any longer and needed to take advantage of the free time I finally had. Read more>>

Chanel Hopkins

I would definitely have a plan of action/business plan. I took me years to notice how all over the place I was when getting started. I’ve been in the industry 13 years and it wasn’t until recent years that I realized just how much I was simply winging it. Read more>>

Aliya Harris

When I started cosmetology school I was 18, unapologetically independent, and stubborn. I was determined to work full time, live on my own, and go to school full time. I thought I could do all this while living my best late teen-year-old life. I took a very long break from school and fully submerged myself in the hustle culture. I got two jobs, worked side gigs doing hair and makeup, moved in with my boyfriend, and worked my ass off. So hard that I lost sight of my goal for a while. In 2016 I returned to Paul Mitchell the School and graduated the following year. Read more>>

Raye The Promo Addict

Honestly, the main thing that would do differently is start sooner. and remain consistent. Had I remained consistent from the time that I first made music a goal I would have made a lot more progress by now, or should I say I would have gotten to where I am now a lot sooner. The other thing is, if you truly believe in your heart and soul that something is for you then go for it no matter who or what has to be placed on hold or at the least share your time. Often times we put people ahead of our dreams, we put working a 9-5 ahead of our dreams or even worse we put our fears and doubt ahead of our dreams. Make your dreams a priority and surround yourself with like-minded people and you will achieve it. Read more>>

Jasmine Cruz

I wish I would have put myself out there a little bit more. I started off with social media so slowly, scared to put myself out there. If I could go back in time I would have told myself to go full force and not hold back. Read more>>

Katie Wilson-Barge

I think we all feel like we could use a “reset” button from time to time. And while I don’t regret my professional path, there are a few things that I would do differently given the chance. First things first, forget everything you thought you knew about higher education. Yes, a degree looks good on a résumé, but don’t feel like you have to go to the most expensive university to earn it. Read more>>

Amber Makupson

I would have gone to manufacturing sooner. It is extremely difficult to go to manufacturing once you already have a product in the market. Read more>>

Mika James Amaya

What an excellent question. For me, hindsight definitely is 20/20. If I were starting over I would have placed a heavier emphasis on business versus my artistry. I’ve come to find that you can create the most beautiful portraits that families will cherish forever, but if no one sees or purchases them, your business will fail. Read more>>

Meghan Noakes

If I was starting over I would start at a flat hourly rate for my services and time and charge a seperate fee for cost of product used at each service. I’d give myself a raise on my hourly rate every year. I’d stop itemizing services all together. Read more>>

Vu Radley

When we started MADE MOBB in late 2012, we really didn’t have any idea what we were doing (we still kind of don’t but that’s being part of continually being a student of your craft right lol.) Starting a business with no knowledge was crazy tough but that’s really what shaped us into the company and people we are today. The L’s really forced us to understand that everything isn’t pretty all the time. Things will go wrong and it’s on you to figure out the solution and then prepare for the next thing that goes wrong. Read more>>

Anitra Terrell

If I were starting over I would have: #1 Stayed employed as long as possible while working on my business part time. My situation is a little different since I was laid off and I found a part time job but was later laid off from that one as well. But I would have sought full time employment elsewhere to maintain monthly income and health benefits as long as possible. Running a business plus your household is no joke financially. Read more>>

 

Haley Clark

If I were to start my business over again today I would start smaller. I thought I started small but I went 0-100 because I was so excited to sell anything at all. I thought I needed 50 different fabrics to start out. I bought a lot of things have never used and I overbought fabric. In the beginning I wish I would have focused more on acquisition and marketing rather than creating. When you looked at my product there was no brand – we didn’t start branding our products with tags until almost 2 years in. Read more>>

Bri Montgomery

If I were to start over. I would take writing and media more seriously. When I was getting my Bachelor’s in Journalism, one of my professors told me to start a blog and that it was the new thing college students were doing to start their career in that field. I wasn’t sold on it yet until like a year later. If I would’ve started it in college, I could have had more diverse and different content. As far as media, I could’ve been utilizing my campus’ editing applications (for free) instead of waiting so long to start a YouTube channel, and having to purchase my own editing tools. plus more. Read more>>