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.
Chloe Leblanc
If I could go back in time, I definitely wish I had started my business sooner! Looking back, the perfect catalyst for launching my business was when I was engaged. At that time, I was sharing my entire engagement and wedding planning journey on social media and it led to some amazing collaborations with brands and even an invite to attend New York Bridal Fashion Week (NYBFW). I was closely connected with so many valuable brands and brides at that time, it would have been amazing for business. Read more>>
Daijah Cobb-meeks
I would have started sooner. I’ve always been a person who cared about my perception, and I walked in fear of what others would think or say. Growing up I was a YouTube kid. Almost every day after school I would spend hours on YouTube. I Knew all the choreography to the latest songs I could recite the words to all the funny videos. Looking back, I don’t know what I was so afraid of. Now that I’m older I would have loved to see my evolution from when I first started. Watching my husband start living out his dreams gave me the push I needed to start working on mine. It’s been a slow start, but I’m happy with my progress. I recently heard a quote from Andre De Sheilds that has stuck with me. He said his three cardinal rules of sustainability and longevity. Cardinal Rule #1 surround yourself with people whose eyes light up when they see you coming. #2 Slowly is the fastest way to get to where you want to be. And #3 The top of one mountain is the bottom of the next. It doesn’t matter how or where you start but it’s how you finish. Some things can be easier said than done but, all you need is a little faith and your best effort. As you continue your faith will rise and you will start to remember the dreams you either put aside or forgotten those dreams will grow into bigger dreams. As I said it’s been a slow start but, I am so proud of my progress and the feedback has been rewarding. I hope my story can encourage someone to follow their dreams and just start. Set the camera up and press record, save up for that business. Whatever your heart desires you do not have to walk in fear. Read more>>
Ariana Hodges
I’ve always had a deep love for design and planning, and for years, I dreamed about turning that passion into something more. But the real turning point—the moment I knew I had to do this—was my own wedding. Read more>>
Amy Contreras
If I could go back in time, I’d tell my younger self one thing to trust myself and not worry what others thought of me. That I just needed to not be afraid of my gifts. Read more>>
Hazel Shaday
I believe I started my business at exactly the right time. During quarantine, I had just lost my job, and with salons closed, people didn’t have immediate access to hair care services. Without a salon space of my own — but with the determination to make women feel like their best selves — I packed my bag with all the supplies I needed and traveled directly to my clients’ homes. Read more>>
Kenneth Randall
I started my digital marketing agency in 2023 after spending six years working in the industry and honing my expertise in SEO, PPC, and content writing. Before that, I invested in my education, knowing that a strong foundation was key to standing out in a competitive space. Read more>>