5 Things I’ve Learned in 18 Months of Full-Time Entrepreneurship
When I walked away from my corporate job, I wasn’t chasing freedom or flexibility. I was chasing alignment — a life that felt like mine again. I didn’t have a six-month runway or a perfect business plan. I had two small kids, a handful of ideas, and a gut-deep knowing that it was time to build something different.
Eighteen months later, I’ve built more than a business. I’ve built clarity. Courage. Community. And also? A thousand messy Google Docs, a few really awkward mistakes, and an allergy to burnout I’ll never ignore again.
Here are five lessons that have shaped me the most along the way — shared with love for anyone stepping into something new, brave, or wildly uncertain.
1. You don’t have to know it all to get started.
When I left my job, I didn’t have everything figured out. But I did know I couldn’t keep living misaligned — and that was enough to start.
Try this:
Start with what you do know: your skills, your values, your purpose.
Choose one “next right step.”
Give yourself permission to be a beginner.
Why it matters: Waiting until it’s perfect means you’ll never begin. Action creates clarity. You learn by doing.
2. Boundaries will save your sanity.
In the beginning, I said yes to everything — every opportunity, every favor, every “got a sec?” DM. I learned the hard way that helpfulness without boundaries leads straight to burnout.
Try this:
Define your top three priorities and filter your yeses through them.
Set office hours, even if they’re flexible.
Build in buffer time — your brain (and family) will thank you.
Why it matters: Your energy is your most valuable resource. Boundaries protect your creativity, peace, and people.
3. Community over competition is more than a cute phrase.
Rural life can be isolating, especially when you’re building something outside the norm. But finding a few people who get it — and rooting for each other on purpose — changes everything.
Try this:
Start a low-key mastermind or regular check-in with fellow entrepreneurs.
Celebrate others out loud.
Ask for help when you need it.
Why it matters: We rise together. When you surround yourself with possibility, it starts to feel real.
4. You will doubt yourself — and that’s okay.
Imposter syndrome doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re stretching. There were (and still are) days when I wondered if I was cut out for any of this…but I kept going anyway.
Try this:
Keep a “proof file” of kind words, wins, and reminders of impact.
Name the doubt, then speak the truth.
Talk to yourself like you would a friend.
Why it matters: Confidence isn’t the absence of doubt — it’s the decision to keep showing up anyway.
5. Growth requires change.
The vision I had when I started is not the vision I have now. And that’s a good thing. It means I’m paying attention — to what’s working, to what’s not, and to who I’m becoming.
Try this:
Take time every quarter to reflect: What’s working? What’s draining me?
Give yourself permission to shift — your brand, your services, your schedule.
Let go of what you’ve outgrown.
Why it matters: You’re allowed to evolve. Pivoting isn’t failure. It’s growth in motion.
If you’re starting something new — or picking something back up after a hard season — here’s what I hope you hear loud and clear:
You’re not behind. You’re not too late. And you’re definitely not alone.
This road isn’t linear, and it’s not always pretty. But it’s yours. And that makes it worth walking.
So here’s to building with heart, pivoting with purpose, and doing the meaningful work that matters — even when it’s messy. I’m cheering you on every step of the way.
