10 Things I Learned in 10 Years of Entrepreneurship

June 2023 marked a DECADE of running my photography business.

woah.

That’s 10 years of…

- refreshing my inbox.

- photographing hundreds (maybe thousands?) of different types of people from all over the country.

- really working out my right pointer finger.

- fostering relationships with clients, other photographers, and mentors.

- networking with others like me and finding my support system.

- wincing after sending a proposal

- trying new things on social media

- absolutely winging it in a new situation… feeling like I’m failing one week, and then feeling like I am absolutely crushing it the next.

You get the picture.

If you're in the early stages of starting your business or in the trenches of just a hard year, I’ve been there too. If I could go back to the 19-year-old with a big dream who wasn’t exactly sure how this would all work out…I’d first hug her. Then buy her a drink and tell her to keep going.

Here are the 10 pieces of advice that come to mind as I reflect on this wild, amazing ride:

Find your support network.

Entrepreneurship can be a lonely road. Even if you’re lucky enough to have a spouse, family, or close friends that have your back… they aren’t in the office with you, and heck - they don’t know exactly what you do in your business. That’s why finding a support network of other entrepreneurs or mentors is life changing.

These types of relationships don’t happen overnight either - fostering relationships and finding support groups takes time. Try to be patient with the process, but know that finding (or building) your network is a priority.

2. You wanna be in the room where it happens. (Hamilton, anyone?)

To piggyback on lesson 1 – You won’t find your support network OR potential clients without showing up. You have to get yourself into the rooms where connections are being made! That can look like:

Networking (virtually or in-person)
Going to coffee (with potential clients, colleagues, or referral partners)
Saying “YES” to opportunities, without knowing if they will directly turn into a booking

Being in the room is less about closing every deal, and more about being brave enough to show up in the right places!

3. Always be learning.

Staying educated is a great way to stay relevant in your industry. Plus, how can you keep growing if “you don’t know what you don’t know”?

Don’t be afraid to invest in education, coaching, or training. The best leaders are always students.

4. Outsourcing saves lives.

New entrepreneurs (especially us creative types) have this tendency to over value self-reliance. Just because you’re good at lots of things, doesn’t mean you should build a business all alone.

I know it’s hard – and it definitely takes practice – but trusting others to help allows you to spend more time in your zone of genius. This is the magic of outsourcing! Your business needs the BEST of you. Be wise about who you bring in. Make sure you can be honest with them and really trust them!

5. Rest and reset. (But, I mean it!)

Growing a business can be addicting. You likely started because you’re passionate about sharing your gifts or skills with the world… and seeing it take off is incredibly gratifying. But beware of burnout. It’s sneaky.

No matter how much you love what you do, you’re a human and you have to prioritize your overall wellness. Schedule lunch breaks, take a walk to clear your head, schedule a weekly yoga class with a non-work friend.

6. Stand your ground, but operate with flexibility.

Get super clear on your values so you can hold firm to your boundaries, AND know when it’s worth going above and beyond to save a relationship. Only you can know what the line is in your business, but I’ve found peace and confidence by saying “yes” as much as I can while still staying true to my core values.

7. Focus on the win(s) of the day.

Starting each day with a WIN, means writing down 1-3 goals or tasks for the day. (Seriously, no more than 3!) Our to-do lists can get pretty wild, and unrealistic, so having a win to focus on means accomplishing something meaningful no matter how busy the day gets!

8. Choose your team and partners wisely.

We already talked about outsourcing (getting help from freelancers, contractors, or service providers) but when it comes to building a team - Be slow to hire.

“We are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with.”

You’ve probably heard this Jim Rohn quote before, but it’s very important when it comes to team-building! Hire people who embody your core values… not just the people with the cheapest rates or even the most experience. You can teach skills, but you can’t teach someone how to fit into your team culture!

9. Get comfortable being uncomfortable.

You can't grow without messing up. So walk into rooms you feel unqualified for, show up on social media, introduce yourself to strangers. Be seen in the places you know you belong… even if nobody else knows it yet!

10. Set your boundaries before they set you.

Boundaries can cover everything from work hours to contract requirements to communication. Practice setting (and staying consistent with) your boundaries early, because the more you grow - the harder you’ll need them to keep up with everything.