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.

Christopher Chain

If I were starting all over I would definitely tell myself to master all the basics first. I was so wraped up in buying better and better equipment thinking I would produce a better product/photos instead of mastering the technique of taking quality photos. Equipment is great but the knowledge to use it is more powerful. I could have definitely saved so money along the way too. Read more>>

Jenny Kelley

If I was starting over today, I would spend less money on buying all the unnecessary gear , you know all the “ cool” stuff you see advertised, and more money on education. Starting out I thought I needed the best gear, the coolest bag, the nicest camera strap and a big fancy lens. While yes, some of these things will produce better images , the biggest thing is knowing how to use what you have. Read more>>

Andrea Sadler

If I knew the things I know now then, I would start over by listening to my own thoughts. I would record episodes still on a schedule and not so much off of emotion because I feel like it opened doors that I did not want to be open but at the same time it made me who I am today. I wouldn’t be so trustworthy with others because at times I feel like I’m only used for their benefit and not for friendship. I would definitely start over and have my podcast visual as I love to please my listeners and viewers with this. Read more>>

Bear Prandelli

If I had to start everything over today I think one of the first things I would tell my past self is to focus more on the storytelling and client relationships and less on the camera equipment and lights. Read more>>

Vitor Matera

I believe network and discipline is everything. If I had to start over, I would go after the best mentor I could and work my best for at least eight hours a day for a unlimited time. I would do as many free tattoos as I could in the first six months, so this way I would have practice a lot and built a nice portfolio. In the Tattoo industry you don’t really need money to start but a lot of guts. It would be easy. Read more>>

Jenn McElhaney

started my first business at the age of 22. I worked a corporate job during the week and built an event planning business on evenings and weekends. It was truly something I wanted to do full time. I also wanted a family and found myself put in a position of giving up time with my first child or giving up my business. Read more>>

Free Gems Network

Knowing everything we know today, we feel that if we could start over we would take a step back and come up with a plan that was more manageable. In the beginning of our journey we would drop two episodes a week. One on Tuesday and one on Thursday. Read more>>

Kentrice Collins

Well how ironic! I am actually living in the midst of this question today. So, quick backstory, I recently moved to Dallas, Tx from New Orleans, La, where I held an extremely dominant hair styling business. I worked 5days a week, 8am-6pm (often did overtime) to doing 1 head a week! Big difference, right? Read more>>

Abby Gardner

In terms of creative output, I wish I could tell a younger me to just do everything earlier. I wish I would have started blogging in the early days, outside of my editorial day job and really leaned into my own voice in all of my writing with even more oomph. And to not be afraid to be unabashedly myself and just where it might lead me. Read more>>

Tajee Young

This is a perfect question for Me. Some things have differently changed since we last met, So please let me reintroduce myself as Mrs. Tajee Young Owner and CEO of Tajee Young Creations formally known as YoungRose Design & Co. and over the last six months we have taken a few steps back, regrouped, rebranded, and geared our focus on a more quality product, and reaching our targeted audience. Read more>>

Jocelyn Chia

When I first entered the beauty industry, I was a teenager fresh out of high school. It was then that I realized my passion for creativity, and makeup became the perfect outlet for me. Instead of seeking a mentor, which I didn’t realize I needed at the time, I dove right in. Read more>>

Rachelle Jacob-Wendler

Starting Soul Space, I faced a struggle that might be familiar to many entrepreneurs: feeling like I needed to be an expert in every aspect of my business. Launching Soul Space was a journey filled with excitement, passion, and also self-doubt. With a background in accounting, numbers were my comfort zone, but other areas like marketing or product design felt daunting. I believed I had to be a “professional” in everything to succeed. Read more>>

Shawn Hopman

When we set out to start Ya Sure Kombucha, we knew there would be challenges. We create a very unique product and it’s just not as popular in our area as it is in other parts of the country. There isn’t enough of these around to just go and ask how things are done. So we have had to forge our own path in production and in the retail portion of our business. Read more>>