The uncertainty of entrepreneurship causes many entrepreneurs to put off starting their business. For others, losing a job or other economic hardships push them starting their businesses earlier than expected. In our conversations with thousands of entrepreneurs we’ve seen so much variety in when, how and why people started their business and so we wanted to share a wide variety of views and reflections on the question of whether these folks wished they had started sooner or waited longer before starting their businesses.

Kelli Burgin

I would absolutely have started my business sooner! I started my Hemp Wellness journey in October 2020. My youngest son was 15 months old and I was suffering from postpartum. After posting on social media about my anxiety, a high school friend of mine reached out and introduced me to Green Compass, their natural products and the business opportunity. Read more>>

Jaylen Dowell

I started my business due to not being able to find a good job at the time. I’ve always had the dream to have a business, but that just pushed me even more to go ahead and start it. If I would have started it sooner, I honestly don’t think it would have lasted this long due to the mindset I had at the time. Although I wouldn’t have started it sooner, I definitely wish I would have started it later. Read more>>

Jas Kirk

Jokingly I would always say heck yes, take me back to the past and I would’ve already been started. Knowing what I know now, honestly it doesn’t matter. I will tell anyone the sooner you can start, get started and don’t feel the need to be perfect or have it all together, take the step in front of you. Read more>>

J Mike

If I had the option I would have started my business sooner. I started my clothing brand business Jon Jamar officially in 2020 during the pandemic, I worked for a government based insurance company at the time of the start. I just started to feel that it was more for me and I wanted to go in the direction I love which is fashion. Read more>>

Jacqueline Adelson

Sooner! I originally started blogging and sharing recipes for fun; it was a creative outlet for me. I left the corporate world when my daughter was young and then when my son was born, there I was- craving something to do that was for me. Read more>>

Svonnie Dalcourt

I started designing and decorating withing my church ministry. I was a little doubtful at first I could do it on my own. People kept telling me go for it but it was overwhelming. Once I finally did it God just took off with me. I am a stronger believer in God’s timing and I truly believe no matter when I started it would have been the same result. God’s plan is God’s plan. Read more>>

Patrick Foster

I started my business when I was about 16 years old. I would say I wish I would have started my business earlier on when I first began. I feel that If I had done so I would be so much more further than I am today. I started my business young so due to that at that time I didn’t take it as serious as I do now . When I first started I was just at a point of you making sure it was what I wanted to do so it caused a lot of on and off periods. I am now 19 years old and started taking it more serious at 17 – 18 years old and I would say it is doing very well. Read more>>

Dillon Ford

Oh, I’d definitely love to have started it sooner. I think I was just so used to the hustle of working a survival day job that the thought didn’t really enter my mind until, during the pandemic, there wasn’t really anything else to do. Before that, I was so focused on acting, taking classes and working that I didn’t really feel like I had the bandwidth to try and start a business but realistically, all the knowledge I needed to get started was already there. Read more>>

Stephanie Perez

I started my travel content creation journey in 2020 with my blog! It was not until 2021 when I took the jump onto social media. I was always shy to post on social media, until one day I just went for it. I was ready for that creative outlet in my life and to this day it gives me that outlet I need! I do wish I started sharing my adventures earlier because I love having others check out the spots I recommend or knowing I helped others plan their travels. It’s a journey that I am always learning so with content creation still being new to me I am happy learning everyday. Read more>>

Sarah Ramsey

I do wish I would’ve started my business sooner- I think. I tried college and wasn’t sure what I wanted to do so I just started in the corporate world because you know, that’s what you’re supposed to do. Although I had some jobs I enjoyed nothing really gave me the feeling of “this is me” Read more>>

Shakaylane Rodriguez

This is a funny questions because I often find myself thinking about the “what if’s”. In regards to my business, I sometimes wish I would’ve started my business sooner! I graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2018 with my Bachelor’s in Social Work. At that time, I had no idea that within the next few years I would be walking away from that profession to build my own business. Read more>>

Stefani Reeder

I officially opened my shop ‘The Kamikaze Butterfly’ in summer of 2020. I actually started it as a new creative hobby and pass-time in lock down, but it pretty rapidly grew and became my full time work. I think everything that happened was in perfect time; during lockdown, we lived online. Read more>>

Simon Sarkissian

Years before I started my business I was graduating from college and getting ready to start law school. When I realized I didn’t want to go to law school, I completely changed my career path. I did not want to pursue a career I was not passionate about. I officially started my business in 2021. I am grateful that I went to college and graduated with a psychology degree, but knowing what I know now I would have loved to start my career in hair much sooner. Read more>>

JENNIE VENTURA

My head has always been brimming with entrepreneurial ideas, although admittedly, I was unsure of how to transform them into reality. I had my fair share of minor attempts and setbacks over the years, but nothing seemed to truly take hold. In 2018, I resolved to make a change, and ironically chose a venture in an area I was least familiar with—blogging. I created my website using Wix and discovered an unexpected passion for writing. From then on, it evolved into what it is today. Read more>>

Bailey Brewer

Ultimately, I know that I started my business at the perfect time. However, I didn’t always think that. I started my business basically the day after I graduated college with my business degree. I put in my application for a full-time position at my job and was going to work on starting my business on the side. While I was in college, I hated school. Read more>>

Ofelia Barber

I’ve been entrepreneurial since I was in my teens. I’ve had lots of side gigs and jobs. I started working at a clothing store when I was 15, which in Argentina was very unusual, as most teenagers didn’t work at the time. Later, I sold jewelry, managed a casting/entertainment agency with a friend, and also worked as an English teacher, translator and interpreter for a few years, before starting my career as a C-Level administrative professional. Read more>>

Taz Evans

If I could go back in time I would have started my business sooner. I’ve been licensed since 2014. I wish I took things more seriously at the beginning but I was young and let love/relationship make me lose sight of things. I got into a toxic relationship at the age of 19 that last quite a while and resulted in a child. My daughter had autism. Read more>>

RUTHMARY PARIS

I started my small business on May 2021 after the pandemic. I started making etched shot glasses with the phrase Covid Shot #1 and Covid Shot #2. With the 2 shot glasses, I added a small tequila bottle, and this was my most tremendous success since everyone was ordering the shot glasses from me to give them as a gift. Read more>>

CarmenRose Fiallo

I started my own business after independently contracting my social media skills with a small business for two years. I was looking for a new job and had been searching with no luck for almost 6 months. Then one day, I realized.. I could be independently contracting on my own. Read more>>

Saint Omani

Wow ! If I could go back in time and started my business I definitely would! I wished I could’ve started my business in high school which was 2017. I started my business in 2021 after the pandemic. During that time I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life, I felt like my college career was over when they gave me this huge amount to pay the following month, I couldn’t get the money so I left. Read more>>

Donella Harve

If I could turn back the hands of Time, I would definitely have started my business earlier. I started my business in 2010 after my second son was born. I was struggling with two kids by myself wondering, where was I going to get more income from. I decided to create a platform where local artists and businesses could market their businesses, and show their talents. I started a magazine which provided just that a platform. Read more>>

Shana Dow

I didn’t start writing my first story until I was in my forties. Would I have started sooner? No, I don’t think so. My writing journey has been unique to me and has afforded me the best of both worlds. Let me explain. Before I started writing, life had been busy up to that point with raising children and everything that goes along with that. It can be pretty consuming when you have four boys in the house! I also homeschool, so the early years are fundamental and require detailed planning and attention. Read more>>