Ah, the entrepreneurial journey! It’s a wild ride, isn’t it?

We jump in headfirst, driven by passion and that irresistible dream of being our own boss.

Many of us have been there: tired of the 9-to-5 grind, the office politics, and feeling like just another cog in the machine. We crave the freedom to pursue our passions and actually get paid well for it.

And then, one day, we take the plunge. Maybe we start as a side hustle, or maybe we take a leap of faith and go all in.

At first, it’s exhilarating. We’re like kids in a candy store, eyes wide with excitement, eager to explore every shiny new opportunity. But let’s be real, most of us haven’t even checked if we have enough cash to cover the costs… Heck, we might not even know what those costs are!

Well, I’ve learned a few lessons along the way, lessons I wish I’d known from the start.

First off, get ready to wear many hats (hmmm…I’m thinking of writing a short story loosely based on the concept 🤭).

When you’re running the show, it’s not just about doing what you love. You’ll have to learn to be the marketer, the salesperson, the customer service rep, and the bookkeeper all rolled into one. That takes a lot of time and energy, so you really need to love your core offering. Otherwise, you might throw in the towel too early. And let me tell you a secret: sooner or later you will feel like giving up, even if you’re passionate about what you’re doing. But that passion will help you push through those tough times.

So ideally,  you would want to learn the ropes of all these new jobs you’re taking on, and then, if you can, delegate – some say as soon as possible!

Secondly, don’t be afraid to fail. Actually, embrace it! Unless you’re incredibly lucky, you’re going to try things that just won’t work. It’s all part of the process.

Reframe your idea of failure and see it as a stepping stone to success. Don’t be afraid to experiment and see what sticks. Before this site, which I consider to be my main hub , I had three blogs (which still exist!), and before my current YouTube channel, I had another one (also still going). All of these are now part of my learning curve, a path to later success.

And speaking of success, you need a clear business model. That’s your system for making money. Without it, you can end up working like crazy for little to no reward. Confession: still figuring out that part, but getting there. This year is my first year since forever that I’ve actually made sales!

Here’s another crucial point: if freedom is what you’re after, you need to build a business that supports that. If you’re dreaming of building an empire, well, that’s a different game altogether. Your business structure needs to reflect your goals.A freedom business, like I’m building, will have online products and a mostly hands-off, automated sales system, so you can actually go live your life. You could do it as a solopreneur or have a small team of employees or contractors.

An empire-building business is more intense, focusing on scaling fast and big, and maybe eventually selling the business for a hefty price. This will be hands-on, may need significant investment, and you’ll most likely need to build a designated team around you. No lone wolves here, I don’t think.

But again, if you don’t want to  sacrifice yourself at the altar of hustle, you need to think strategically. 

Finally, here’s a golden nugget of wisdom: listen to those who have walked the walk. They’ve got more than just theories to offer; they’ve got real-world experience.

While others may mean well, their advice can sometimes send you on a wild goose chase, costing you precious time, energy, and money.

Then there’s manipulators out there just advising for personal gain, pretending to be on your side but whose total allegiance is with the company/solution they are promoting.

And of course there’s out right scammers.

Lately, I’ve been approached online by many! I normally see through them straight away but I nearly got caught recently. This one posed as a successful writer, reached out, introduced herself skillfully and naturally. But in the end I found out it was an impersonator working in tandem with an “expert marketer” she was recommending. Confronted her, she couldn’t prove herself. Blocked!

So there you have it – a few hard-earned lessons from someone who’s been there and still in the trenches.Keep your passion alive, stay flexible, and never stop learning. The entrepreneurial journey is a rollercoaster, but it’s also an incredible adventure!

P.S: Grab my new ebook .Read how I reinvented myself a decade ago, in the space of one year.

Reflect, Redefine, Rise!

R.