7 Things No one tells you about starting a business
This week marks three years in business for me. It’s been three years full of ups and downs. The journey wasn’t just about finding clients and delivering work—it was about managing the ups and downs of entrepreneurship with grit and determination. I had to learn about contracts, taxes, and how to promote myself. I was challenged at almost every point, and there were multiple times when I was ready to get a real job and say goodbye to being an entrepreneur.
I’m not alone in this. If you look at the statistics for starting a business, they are pretty grim. Research from the US Bureau of Labor shows that startups and new businesses face steep odds in their early years. Here are some of the statistics from the US Bureau of Labor:
After 1 year: About 1 in 4 businesses (23.2%) shut down.
After 2 years: Nearly 1 in 3 businesses (32.8%) shut down.
After 3 years: Roughly 1 in 3 businesses (36.2%) shut down.
After 4 years: Close to 2 in 5 businesses (43.2%) shut down.
I’m not totally sure why my business didn’t go under in the first 3 years. There were certainly times when it would have been smarter for me to give up, but instead, I pivoted and stayed the course. I found that as I kept going, things started to pan out. To be honest, persistence seemed to work for me the most. People who weren’t ready for my design and marketing services at the beginning would suddenly re-emerge ready to chat. My networking efforts paid off when others saw that I was still around.
I learned to pivot and make changes to my services, my website, and the way I was promoting myself. I committed to publishing social media posts 4-5 times a week. I focused on service and ensuring that my work got done quickly for my clients and met the goals they set for me. I put my ego aside and focused on client feedback and returning work they were happy with.
Ultimately, I feel extremely lucky to have made it to a point where many businesses don’t. Looking back, there’s a lot of advice I wish I would have gotten, so now I’m writing to new businesses and startups to share the things I wish someone would have told me. I don’t pretend to know everything about business, but here are 7 things I’ve learned in my 3 years in business.
1 - You have to want it more than anything else.
Your first 2-3 years are going to be rocky and unstable. Many people close to you will advise you to get a “real” job. You’ll probably have to give up vacations, new purchases, and time with family and friends. There are a lot of people who didn’t understand how much my life changed when I opened up my own business. I found that a lot of people didn’t understand why I would take a step back financially to build my own business. You don’t have to explain your choices to these people.
Entrepreneurship is a demanding path that requires a lot of sacrifices and resilience. If you’re not prepared to put in this level of effort and make these sacrifices, you might find it difficult to succeed. The drive to make it work has to outweigh all other considerations.
2 - You’re going to hear the word “no” a lot.
Expect rejection to be a regular part of your entrepreneurial journey. The first project you pitch probably won’t be the one that lands. People will reach out for help, and sometimes, it just won’t pan out. There will be moments when you’re sure you’ve earned the contract, but then it’ll go to someone else. Get ready to face rejection often, and learn how to keep going.
Learn from every experience and every “no”. Regardless of the outcome, you can always reuse what you’ve learned and apply it to the next project or quote that comes your way. If people aren’t reacting well to your services or content, then pivot and change things up. Eventually, the “yes”s will come. Remember, it only takes one yes to turn your whole business around.
3 - You’re taking the lonely route.
Being an entrepreneur can be isolating at times. While most of your friends head to work and enjoy daily interactions with coworkers, you’re often on your own, making tough decisions and hustling to find new opportunities. It’s tempting to take the traditional path of a full-time job with benefits, but if you’re determined to start your own business, be prepared to feel like you’re going it alone for a while.
When things feel lonely, there are plenty of solutions. I work out of a coworking office where I’ve met other remote workers and founders. Finding other people who are building a business is so helpful. You also can go to networking events to help fight loneliness. I also try to work with friends at a coffee shop or restaurant to help myself feel more connected.
4 - Find out what your customers actually want (and don’t assume it’s all about your skill as a designer)
When I first started freelancing as a graphic designer, I genuinely believed design was the be-all and end-all. But after really listening to my clients, I realized they weren’t hiring me to create the most beautiful logos or websites—they wanted someone who could help them grow their business quickly.
I’d love to spend my days creating unique and visually stunning work, but I’ve learned that what drives results isn’t always the design itself. It’s about delivering what truly matters to clients—solving their problems and helping them achieve their goals. Most clients, especially small businesses and startups, don’t have the time to invest in designs that take weeks to build. Instead, they have a deadline, a big meeting with a prospect, or a conference they are presenting at next week so they need you to do your best work on a deadline. Not all designers understand this. In the end, it’s about meeting your customer’s real needs, not just showing off your creative abilities.
5 - You’re not the only one who can do what you can do.
Letting your ego run the show as a designer is a quick way to sink your business. A lot of creatives believe they’re the best around, but the truth is, there’s always someone out there who can do your job just as well—and probably for less money on Upwork. If you don’t believe me, go look on Upwork and Fiverr to see how many other creatives are out there. You have to lose your ego if you want to make it in business.
What truly sets you apart are things like your personality, industry know-how, and the speed at which you deliver. Figure out what you do best by talking to your clients after projects. You can learn a lot about what sets you apart by having conversations with trusted clients so don’t be afraid to ask for feedback. Clients have options, but your job is to show them why working with you is the best choice.
6 - You don’t have to prove yourself to the right people.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of constantly trying to convince others why you’re the best choice. But in my experience, the clients who are ready to sign on don’t need the hard sell. They’ve already done their homework—visited my website, explored my social media, and engaged with my resources—before we even have a conversation. When customers come to you prepared and eager to buy, it means I don’t need to rely on sales tactics during calls. They’re already sold on working with me.
One of the main reasons I have a blog and resources on my website is because I want to establish myself as an expert and a thought leader. I’ve learned that this is a great way to establish credibility before someone becomes a lead for me. That’s why I create content with my customers in mind who are struggling with branding and marketing their business. It’s all about creating value for my target audience.
7 - You don’t have to be a one-trick pony. You have every right to be a wild card.
People often say you need to specialize and stick to a niche, and while there’s some truth to that, it doesn’t mean you have to limit yourself. My background is diverse—I have degrees in English and Journalism and experience as a journalist, marketing manager, and graphic designer. Instead of confining myself to one role, I’ve learned that being a wild card is a huge advantage.
Whether it’s creative work, marketing strategy, web development, or content writing, each piece of my background adds value. So, don’t be afraid to leverage all your skills. As an entrepreneur, embracing your full range of abilities can set you apart and open doors to opportunities you might not expect. I really believe that the best entrepreneurs know their full range of skills, plus they understand what skills they don’t have and they hire other people to help.
CONCLUSION
Looking back on these three years, I see how much the ups and downs of entrepreneurship have made me better. It wasn’t easy, but every challenge taught me something valuable—from learning to pivot when things didn’t go as planned, to sticking with it even when the road was tough. If you’re on your own entrepreneurial journey, know that it’s okay to feel unsure, to make mistakes, and to change course when needed. What matters most is that you keep going.
Want to see the work I’ve produced in the last three years? You can check out my case study page to see featured projects. You also can get a good sese of what I’ve created by going to my Portfolio page.
Are you starting a business, or in need of some help driving leads to your existing business? I’d love to help you with your branding, your website, or your marketing materials. Get in touch with me by filling out a form on my Contact page. I’m here to help your business grow and succeed.
