Navigating 15 Years of Entrepreneurship: Key Lessons from Building a Business

Entrepreneurship is often portrayed as a glamorous endeavor, full of freedom, flexibility, and success. But the reality is much more complex. Building a business is a journey full of highs and lows, unexpected detours, and countless lessons learned along the way. It takes resilience, adaptability, and a deep sense of purpose to not only survive but thrive in the world of entrepreneurship.

As I reflect on the 15 years I’ve spent building my business, I’ve realized that the lessons I’ve learned aren’t just about running a business—they’re about personal growth, perseverance, and finding success on your own terms. For those just starting out or even seasoned entrepreneurs, here are some insights from my journey.

My Journey to 15 Entrepreneurial Lessons

Before I launched ElectraLime Marketing, I had a completely different path. My journey started with a BA in Psychology, working in Neuropsychology with Alzheimer’s, stroke, and brain injury patients. After transitioning into healthcare administration as the Director of Credentialing, and then becoming a full-time mom to three kids, I realized I needed something that was mine—something where I could engage with adults again.

That’s when I started my business. I didn’t have a specific plan or business blueprint, but I learned along the way, often by saying “yes” to new projects and teaching myself the skills to complete them. That scrappiness, combined with a passion for growth, helped me build ElectraLime into what it is today, 15 years later.

Along this journey, I’ve learned countless lessons. Here are 15 entrepreneurial lessons that have shaped both me and my business.

15 Entrepreneurial Lessons

1. Get ready for a rollercoaster – Entrepreneurship is hard. The highs are exhilarating, but the lows can be brutal. There are days when you check your bank account and can’t help but smile, feeling like everything is going perfectly. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, you find yourself working three times as hard to find new clients and fill in any holes that have popped up. It’s a constant cycle of ups and downs, and you have to be prepared for the ride. The key is staying steady and resilient, even when things feel unpredictable.
2. Be ready to adjust – Even with the best-laid plans, things change. As a business owner, you need to embrace that change and pivot when necessary. Many business owners experienced this lesson during the pandemic when they had to rethink how they approached their business. This lesson has been with me since day one, whether it was rebranding the business because the first name was too limiting or letting go of the majority of my clients at one point so I could niche down into my expertise.
3. Speaking of change—be open to it – When I first started this business, I was a virtual assistant. I transitioned into digital marketing, and then, into event planning, management and production. If you had asked me 15 years ago if I’d be producing events, I would have never thought it. Sometimes, the most surprising changes are the ones that lead to the best opportunities.
4. Find your cheerleaders – Entrepreneurship can be lonely. Not everyone understands the ups and downs you’re experiencing, so it’s crucial to surround yourself with people who do. You need people who will encourage you, believe in you, and be honest with you—offering feedback when something isn’t working or if you’re headed down a potentially wrong path.
5. Have big dreams – Then find a way to make them happen. Ambitious goals are essential for growth, but achieving them requires more than just vision. Break those big dreams into smaller, actionable steps, and map out the specific actions it will take to get there. Whether it’s learning new skills, reaching out to mentors, or securing funding, each step moves you closer to the bigger picture. And remember, just like everything in business, be ready to adjust your path if needed.
6. No one cares about your business as much as you do – Whether you hire employees or contractors, remember that the business is your baby, not theirs. They may do great work, but they’ll never have the same passion or drive that you do—and that’s okay. Don’t blame them for not having the same level of excitement. Instead, help them get excited by sharing your vision and showing them how they play a key role in achieving it. When people understand the bigger picture, they’re more likely to engage and feel invested in the work.
7. Learn from your failures – Mistakes are inevitable, but they’re also your greatest teachers. I’ve spent time and money on product launches that didn’t work, and on ideas that fell flat. I’ve also invested in “specialists” who guaranteed growth that never happened. But with each failure, I gained something valuable—whether it was a new perspective, a push in a different direction, or even a hard lesson in who to trust. Many times, I learned a new skill during these failed ventures, and while the product or service didn’t succeed, that skill was utilized later in a successful venture. Every failure is a stepping stone toward success, helping you grow and refine your approach.
8. Don’t let doubt stop you from succeeding – Self-doubt can be crippling, and I still fight it on a consistent basis. I even have a sign in my office that says, “Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.” It’s a daily reminder to keep pursuing what I want, even when I’m uncertain about the outcome or my ability. The important thing is to keep moving forward despite those doubts and to not let them prevent you from trying.
9. Believe in yourself – Speaking of doubts, this was one of the hardest lessons for me to learn. I was never the type of person who had unshakable confidence. I often doubted whether I was good enough, strong enough, or smart enough to succeed. But over time, I realized that self-belief is critical, even if it’s something you have to build gradually. It doesn't have to be loud or constant, but it needs to be present as you face challenges.
10. Define your success – For me, success wasn’t just about making money (though that’s always nice). It was about helping people. My background in psychology has always fueled my desire to help others, and knowing that my work has had a tangible impact on a business's success is what keeps me going. My goal has always been to help companies scale and grow, whether through marketing or events. That sense of fulfillment has always been a stronger motivator for me than any financial gain.
11. Find your niche – It can be tempting to try to do everything, but I found that specializing in specific areas helped me build a stronger, more focused business. When I first started out, I was a generalist, taking on any job from anyone who would hire me. But when I transitioned into digital marketing, I realized I had a particular knack for working with speakers, influencers, coaches, and authors. That industry became my sweet spot, and I niched down to focus on them. Since events were always a key part of their marketing plans, it was a natural progression to focus solely on events when the time came to further refine the business. Specializing not only strengthened my business, but it also made it easier to identify and attract the right clients.
12. Tap into your existing skills – Even if you find yourself in a new industry or niche, the skills you’ve developed in previous roles can still be incredibly valuable. My background in psychology plays a huge role in everything I do, from building relationships to crafting marketing strategies and even enhancing the attendee experience at events. Don’t discount the talents you already possess—they can give you a unique edge in your business.
13. Invest in your personal growth – I taught myself so many things over the years by saying “yes” to new challenges and figuring them out as I went. I also invested in industry events and certifications, which helped me expand my skill set and keep up with the fast-changing world of digital marketing and events. I’m also a firm believer that you should never be the smartest person in the room. There is always an opportunity to learn from others, and surrounding yourself with people who challenge you is key to continuous growth.
14. Network strategically – Building meaningful relationships with clients, vendors, and other professionals has been a cornerstone of my success. One of the best parts of the last 15 years has been the incredible relationships and friendships I’ve made through networking. You never know who might help open the door to your next big opportunity. Networking isn’t just about expanding your contacts; it’s about cultivating meaningful, mutually beneficial relationships that can lead to unexpected growth and collaboration.
15. Celebrate the wins, no matter how small – It’s easy to focus on the next big goal, but taking time to acknowledge and celebrate even the smallest achievements helps keep you motivated for the long run.

Looking Back and Moving Forward

As I reflect on these 15 years, I realize that every challenge, failure, and success has been a crucial part of my journey. The lessons I’ve learned didn’t just shape my business; they shaped me as an entrepreneur, leader, and person. And while I wouldn't change a thing about the past, what excites me most is the potential for the future.

Building a business is never truly finished—it’s an ongoing process of growth, adaptation, and learning. Who knows what the next 15 years will bring? My hope is that these lessons, hard-earned and heartfelt, will inspire others on their entrepreneurial path, just as I’ve been inspired by those who came before me.