What’s one mistake you made early on in business that you wish someone would’ve warned you about?

[kacey_k]

Mine—Being too giving in an effort to make others happy, instead of protecting my own time, energy, and profit.

[Minion]

Ooof, just one? HA!

Probably the biggest one, was quitting my regular job too early.  I had barely anything in my checking and savings and pretty much said yeah this will take off...... It was Ok at first, but then the "excitement" died down and I really had to put in those long hours day and night to make ends meet. 

I know exactly where you are coming from with your big one.  Reminds me of the instructions from airplanes if the plane goes down make sure you put on your oxygen mask first.  It can be related to everyday instances. 

[CurlyDoodle]

Taking all comers!

I have had my current business 2.5 years and still made this mistake recently. The clients who come at the last minute, make unrealistic demands, then complain. You can't please everyone, but you can filter out clients most likely to be problematic. 

[ascoach]

@kacey_k - I do the same thing. I have gotten better the last couple of years.  I just remind myself with all the inflation that has occurred I have to be smarter about finances so I'm not putting myself in a difficult situation.

One thing I wish someone would have warned me about is how to handle growth.  I have been very lucky to experience growth spurts through our years and every time it gets very overwhelming.  

[kacey_k]

Congratulations on the growth!!!! That definitely can be something we don’t anticipate until it happens! 

[michelleCozymin]

Hello Community, I am just starting out in my bussiness, I have started out with Digital printable Art and. photography, also have added Printful selling mugs. I am still learning alot. I thought marketing would be easy lol... I think i was in a dream world. 🙂 But i am going to keep on, I never knew how scary it would be to start a bussiness becuase i want everything to go perfect but it doesn't go perfect and that's okay becuase every un perfectt thing that happens i learn from it. 🙂 Thank you to whoever is reading this. 

[michelleCozymin]

Your post is helpful because it's nice to know that someone else went though what i am going though. haha 😁

[ascoach]

Welcome to the craziness of running your own business 😜  I've been in business for 15 years and I'm still learning as I go.  I also have a little of that trying to be perfect.  The thing I have learned; even on the days you want to give up, take a little break and then come back to it.  I love running and when I start to get overwhelmed or doubting myself, I go for a run and then come back to it. Or even a short drive to get away helps.

I've also found the best marketing is word of mouth.  Ask for reviews or for your friends and family to be sharing how great you are at what you do.  With social media one share can go a long way.