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.

Elizabeth Newton

If I had to start over again from scratch, I would start nurturing local relationships as quickly as I could. You learn very quickly that even as a “solopreneur”, you can’t actually do everything alone. Everyone in the world needs help. Every single person. There is no way to grow a business successfully without leaning on others to support and encourage you. Read more>>

Rhonda Crowder

If I could start over, because I had less clients and more time back then, I would spend just as much energy working on developing my business model, foundation and structure as I did working on my craft, delivery of services and client satisfaction. Although I strongly believe the latter is just as important, the former is what contributes most to business growth and scalability. Read more>>

Kelly Simmons

When I began as a photographer, I was in high school. I loved it, but completely treated it as a hobby. It was fun, it was interesting, but I never thought it was something I would pursue in the future. Then, once I went to college, I majored in Visual Communication and Design, which included photography, but I spread myself thinner by focusing equally on all parts of the major, including Graphic Design and Web Design. Read more>>

Sharel Marie

This is such a great question. If i started over today I would have done a lot more networking and surrounding myself with other likeminded individuals. Being a Business owner is a lot of work and requires a lot of research. Now no-one is going to go into owning a business and become successful over night. Read more>>

Juda Mclaren

This is a great question – I would have done more research on Business Grants, Microloans and understand the TRUE meaning of OPM *Other people money*. Before I left corporate world, i would have saved at least 6 months of my income to cover unexpected expenses. I would have started to look for mentor to help expand my development skills and business knowledge. Read more>>

Taja Coleman

Although I do website design and SEO now, I started as a wedding photographer. When I started my Wedding Photography and Photo Booth business, I spent months learning how to design my website myself and how to acquire free advertising. It was a grueling process, and many nights I stayed up so late my husband didn’t hear when I came to bed. I was so focused on saving the “cost” of hiring a professional designer, marketer, accountant, etc., that it cost me time with my family. headaches and frustration. Read more>>

Lindsay Bell

The pandemic aside, in a way that was starting over. Now as a mother of three young children, if I had to start all over again, I feel it would be near impossible the way I did it the first time. I bootstrapped my first launch in 2009. I did anything I could think of to generate buzz; Read more>>

Ladii Patterson

If I was starting over as an Author from 2011, I would have taken my writing, more seriously. I look back over the past 12 years and say to myself, “wow, I could have been a Best-seller Author by now.” I am awaiting my 7th book to be published and what I did differently just last year in 2022, that I did not do in 2011, is I hired a team of people who could help me in my journey as an Author. Read more>>