Starting a business is one of the most exciting, intimidating, and humbling experiences you can have. As an entrepreneur, I’m constantly torn between two roles: being a business owner and being a worker. Both are demanding in their own ways, but entrepreneurship has taught me lessons that go beyond day-to-day tasks.

The biggest lesson? Effort doesn’t equal success.

That can feel discouraging at first, but it’s also freeing once you accept it. You can put in countless hours, grind day and night, and still fall short. On the flip side, sometimes the right opportunity arrives at the right time, and things fall into place more easily than expected. That’s why luck is such a big factor in business—though, of course, luck favors those who are prepared.

Networking plays just as big of a role. You never know where opportunities will come from, so you need to be willing to put yourself out there. Advocate for yourself and your business. Talk about what you do, share your vision, and don’t be afraid to connect. That being said, selling to friends and family should only happen if you genuinely believe your product or service will benefit them. Otherwise, you risk making things awkward, and no business gain is worth losing trust or straining relationships.

Another reality is that not everyone will want to see you succeed. Some people may even act like they don’t. And that’s okay. Not every relationship is meant to become a business relationship. If blending the two puts a personal connection at risk, it’s often better to walk away and preserve the friendship.

At the heart of entrepreneurship is trying new things, failing, and learning. You learn from your own failures and from the failures of others. Every misstep teaches you something valuable—what not to do, where to pivot, how to improve.

So if you’re considering entrepreneurship, here’s what I’d say:

• Don’t expect effort alone to guarantee results.
• Welcome luck and networking as powerful tools.
• Advocate for yourself and your business.
• Protect your personal relationships.
• And above all, take risks and  keep learning—especially when things don’t go as planned.

The journey isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. Entrepreneurship isn’t just about building a business; it’s about building yourself through experiences, challenges, and growth.

#business #enterpreneurship