9 Years in Business: 3 Transformational Truths I Wish I Knew Sooner
I can hardly believe it—this year marks nine years of running my business! It’s been a journey full of highs and lows, lessons learned the hard way, and growth beyond what I ever expected. And if there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that time truly flies when you're building something you love.
It all started in 2016 with optimistic hopes and naivety.
Growing my new business. 2017.
I knew nothing about how to run a business when I started my business, I just knew I was good at design and simply believed I would be fully booked in a matter of days after clicking “publish” on my Squarespace website. Oh how wrong I was. It would be almost 3 years of side-hustling to when I would have a predictable, mostly stable income.
I always knew I wanted to do branding and websites but my services have ebbed and flowed to include brand photography, then to discontinue those services. I focused on Design Days for a season and right now those are a thing of the past too. But as I’ve grown and shifted, one thing has remained the same: I adore working with ambitious women entrepreneurs to help them confidently show up online with a website and brand they love.
While my mission has remained the same, the lessons I’ve learned along the way have been utterly ground breaking and game-changing. Going into business you think you know a lot of things but the longer I’m in business the more I’m apt to acknowledge that I probably don’t know enough. I hope to be a continual learner and stay in curiosity because I believe that’s where the magic happens.
But I’m getting ahead of myself, let me share with you the 3 biggest lessons I’ve learned in the past 9 years and how they’ve transformed my business - and me! - along the way.
The three of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in my nine years of business:
1. Trust Yourself—You Know More Than You Think
One of the first things that happens when you step into the online business space is that you start looking around. You see what other successful people are doing, and naturally, you start to think, Maybe I should do it like them. After all, imitation is the highest form of flattery, right?
Wrong. Oh so wrong.
In reality, copying someone else’s approach is a fast track to frustration because that person became successful by being fully themselves. If you try to mimic their voice, style, or business model, it won’t feel authentic, and—most importantly—you won’t be able to sustain it.
The real key? Stay in your lane.
What makes you different is also what makes you valuable. The more you lean into your own voice, perspective, and strengths, the more magnetic you’ll become.
I had a big breakthrough in this area last year when I decided to take time away from coaching. There were other factors at play, such as having my third baby and I would be on maternity leave, so I wanted to give myself some room and just allow myself to grow on my own. Without that external guidance, I had to fully trust my own instincts, and it paid off in ways I never expected. I gained clarity, made decisions faster, and grew my business in a way that felt deeply aligned. While my coach is incredible and I’ll always recommend her, it was really an eye-opening year for me as I learned to listen to what I thought, wanted, and believed in and made decisions accordingly. And it paid off by me growing in confidence and also in doubling my revenue.
If you’re constantly second-guessing yourself, consider this your reminder: You know more than you think. Trust yourself, and watch what happens. You might surprise youself!
2. Business is Built on Relationships, so Nurture Them
Strategy, funnels, and marketing tactics are all great. But at the end of the day, business is about people.
I’ve always been a people person, so relationship-building comes naturally to me. But over the years, I’ve realized just how much my connections—both personal and professional—have fueled my business growth.
Some relationships have turned into clients.
Some have led to collaborations.
Some have evolved into friendships that keep me grounded.
And some have opened doors in ways I never could have predicted.
I’ll admit, there have been times when I’m in a networking event and feeling like I’m not connecting with anyone and I’ve wondered, Is this networking event really worth my time? But then I remind myself of something my coach once told me:
"Every relationship will help your business grow."
You may not know how right away, but if you approach relationships with authenticity, generosity, and curiosity, you’ll be amazed at the opportunities that come your way. Someone in the networking event may refer you to a connection where you end up speaking in their mastermind and get clients from it. You might meet someone who connects you with an industry peer and they become a referral partner due to overflow work. Or you might meet someone you hit it off with and start a business or podcast together. You truly never know where relationships can take you, but the truth is, they are the key to opening doors and opportunities.
This happened to me in 2023. A girl who joined my newsletter reached out in response to my welcome sequence and offered her help so for welcome sequence. She’s a copywriter and had great insight for some ways my sequence could be improved. To be honest, my welcome sequence was not high on my priority list, but she intrigued me and offered great insight so we met for a casual coffee chat. What started out as a simple connection turned into a wonderful friendship and she actually joined my team and is our in-house copywriter. You might know her from my podcast, I’ve had her on twice and this last conversation we had was all about the growth she and I both experienced and what led to it and how we’ve grown our friendship along the way.
Sometimes there can be a tendency to brush off relationships or put them off to the side, like “I’ll get to it one day” - especially when you’re maxed out on work time, home life is busy, all the things. But investing in quality relationships with women mompreneurs who are going through exactly what I’m going through is invaluable.
The friendships I’ve made throughout my entrepreneurial life have been incredibly life-giving, showing me I’m not alone when business is hard, encouraging me that I’m doing a good job as I’m a stay-at-home mom and also a business owner, and giving me inspiration for what’s possible.
3. Investing in Support is the Fastest Way to Grow
For a long time, I thought I’d be a solopreneur forever.
Back when I had just one baby, I worked during nap times, juggling everything myself. I believed I could handle it all … pretty much forever.
Fast forward to today—I’m a homeschooling mom with three little ones under five. My life and business have changed dramatically, and I’ve learned firsthand that trying to do it all alone isn’t sustainable, let alone possible.
Hiring support was one of the best decisions I ever made. And this goes for life as well as business.
I added designers to my team.
I have a bookkeeper.
I have a coach.
I have sales support.
And beyond business, I have a sitter and my mom helping with my kids.
I know that hiring help—whether it’s a VA, a coach, or even someone to clean your house—can feel scary. But here’s the truth:
Support is the key to more freedom, more revenue, and more time for what truly matters. I struggled with this FOR SUCH a long time. And it’s been something I’m STILL working on and am trying to get better at. But believe me when I say, if you want more time (and dare I say more money), hire help.
If you’re feeling stretched too thin, start small. But start. Your future self will thank you.
Final Thoughts
Nine years in, I can confidently say that these three lessons have shaped everything—the way I run my business, how I show up for my clients, and how I continue to grow.
• Trust yourself. You already have what it takes.
• Build relationships. They will open doors you never expected.
• Invest in support. You don’t have to do it all alone.
If you’re earlier on in your journey, I hope these lessons help you avoid some of the trial and error I went through. And if you’re further along, I’d love to know—what’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your business so far?
Let’s chat in the comments! ⬇️
