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.

Ruth B Medrano

1st. I would reach out to assist every makeup artist or hairstylist I know and admired. I moved to LA in 2012. Instagram hadn’t even been launched yet, so DM’ing artists wasn’t accessible. What I would have done though is go to the agencies and present myself, go to the makeup/hair schools just to get my name out, find the top salons and reach out. Read more>>

Nicole Leza

I started Santa Barbara Picnic Co. without any prior business experience. I never developed a business plan because I was unsure if I was even going to turn it into a business. I think one of the hardest setbacks that gets people stuck from taking the leap to pursue an idea or dream, is the act of launching that idea. Read more>>

Rany Burstein

I were to turn back time, there are a few things I’d approach differently. Read more>>

Rachel Diaz

When I started Borinken Cakes with my life savings I made many mistakes, the biggest one was not putting money aside for marketing thinking organic social media and word of mouth was going to be enough. Even tho that got us where we are at now I would’ve grown the business way faster if I would invest in marketing from the beginning. Read more>>

Hannah Luiz

If I was to start all over today there is so much that I would do differently. Read more>>

Giselle Duran

I’m not even sure how far back I want to go with this one. If I could go back to my childhood days, I would take my Bob Ross painting kit a little more seriously. If I could go back to high school, I would do dual enrollment and actually get credit for my AP classes. If I could go back to college, well I would change a lot during those years. Read more>>

Janelle Rendon

The first thing I would have done differently was start my blog sooner! I had been thinking about it for years by the time I got around to starting. By starting before I had a baby (instead of at the same time) I would have had a lot of time and energy to devote to it. This was a missed opportunity in my opinion. Read more>>

Devante Blackwell

If I were to start over, there are a couple of adjustments I’d make to better position myself for success. First, I’d consider pursuing a field of study that offers both job security and ties into my current path. Take, for instance, if I were aspiring to be a film director, enrolling in a business program would be a smart choice. Such a degree not only provides a reliable source of income by working within an established company but also equips you with valuable business acumen. Read more>>

Jay C.

Build a Strong Team: Read more>>

Tyler Drehobl

If I had to start from scratch, the number one thing I would have done differently is to have found a mentor(s) to shadow immediately upon starting my business. When I first started my business, I had to figure everything out on my own and learn through trial/error; this was not only very time consuming, but often times I got things wrong and only partially corrected the issues each go around. Having a mentor not only allows you to see someone’s tried and true process, but also allows for constructive feedback on way to improve your own! Read more>>