Starting an online business is exciting—but it’s also messy, confusing, and full of lessons you only learn the hard way. If I could go back and whisper a few things to my past self, this is what I’d say. Maybe it’ll help you skip a few headaches too.
1. You Don’t Need to Be Ready—You Just Need to Start
For months, I told myself:
I need a better website.
I need to take one more course.
I need a clear niche.
Spoiler: I didn’t.
The truth is, clarity comes from action, not the other way around. You don’t figure everything out first—you figure it out as you go.
I wish I had started sooner. Imperfect. Unpolished. But moving.
Because every step teaches you something. Every experiment leads to more insight. And momentum creates confidence.
Start messy. Learn in public. The best lessons live on the other side of done.
2. You Don’t Need to Be on Every Platform
In the beginning, I tried to be everywhere:
Instagram
TikTok
LinkedIn
Twitter
Pinterest
YouTube
A blog
A podcast
An email list
It was exhausting. And none of it was consistent.
I wish I had chosen one platform and committed to showing up there consistently for 90 days. That’s when things would have grown faster—because I could focus, learn what worked, and build relationships.
Pick a lane. Master it. Then expand.
Visibility is powerful—but focused visibility builds trust and traction.
3. You Won’t Feel Confident at First—Do It Anyway
I thought confidence would come before I sold something. Before I posted my first offer. Before I called myself a business owner.
It didn’t.
Confidence came after I took action. After I sent the scary DM. After I delivered that first service. After I showed up even when no one was clapping.
The secret? You grow into the identity by living it.
You don’t wait to feel like a business owner—you act like one. And then, slowly, you become one.
4. Not Everyone Will Support You (And That’s Okay)
I expected everyone in my life to cheer me on. Some did. Some didn’t. Some stayed silent.
At first, it hurt. But over time, I realized:
People aren’t obligated to understand your dream
Most of their reactions have nothing to do with you
Your biggest supporters may be strangers online
I wish I had spent less time trying to explain myself to doubters—and more time building with the people who got it.
You don’t need a big crowd. You need the right people in your corner.
Build anyway. The right people will find you—and you’ll find you too.
5. Money Doesn’t Magically Appear—You Have to Ask for It
This one was tough.
I thought if I showed up, gave value, and built great content… people would naturally hire me or buy my offers.
Wrong.
People are busy. People need clear invitations. They need to know what you do, how it helps them, and how to pay you.
Once I started:
Talking about my offer
Sharing wins and testimonials
Posting clear calls-to-action
Reaching out to people directly
…that’s when sales started.
Asking for money doesn’t make you salesy. It makes you a business owner.
Don’t be afraid to be seen selling. You’re not pushing—you’re offering value.
6. Burnout Happens When You Treat Your Business Like a Hustle, Not a System
At first, I wore “hustle” like a badge of honor.
Late nights. Doing it all myself. Always chasing the next thing.
I thought that’s what entrepreneurs were supposed to do.
But it wasn’t sustainable. And honestly? It wasn’t smart.
I wish I had set boundaries earlier:
Defined work hours
Clear offers
Repeatable processes
Time to rest and think
Now I know: Your business isn’t a sprint. It’s a system.
And systems need structure, not chaos.
Build something that gives you freedom—not just more to-do lists.
7. You’re Closer Than You Think
In the beginning, it all felt so far away:
Making real money
Feeling confident
Building an audience
Getting noticed
But the truth? You’re always just one:
Message
Offer
Post
Collaboration
Email
…away from your next breakthrough.
You don’t need to know how it all works. You just need to know your next step. That’s how momentum builds.
Keep going. Keep testing. Keep trusting.
Every self-made entrepreneur was once exactly where you are: uncertain, overwhelmed, full of questions—and quietly determined.
And that’s all it takes.
Final Thoughts
I could list 100 more things I’ve learned. But these 7? They changed everything.
Because no one tells you how emotional, raw, and messy building a business can be.
No one tells you how much internal growth it requires.
But now you know.
You’ll make mistakes. You’ll doubt yourself. You’ll want to quit.
And then—you’ll get back up, keep going, and slowly build something amazing.
You don’t have to get it all right. You just have to keep showing up.
Your Turn: What’s Your Biggest Lesson So Far?
I’d love to hear your story.
Comment below or message me:
What’s one thing you wish you knew before starting your business?
Let’s learn together—and build smarter.
