How Hard Is Entrepreneurship, Really? 32 Leaders Share Their Honest Experiences

Embarking on the entrepreneurial journey is a complex adventure, filled with unforeseen challenges and harsh realities. We've gathered insights from co-founders, CEOs, and various leaders who've experienced the highs and lows firsthand. From acknowledging mental health challenges to embracing courage and creativity, here are 32 candid reflections on the dark realities of entrepreneurship that every aspiring founder should be aware of.

Acknowledge Mental Health Challenges

Entrepreneurship is undeniably challenging, often testing one's whole-life balance. Beyond the pursuit of success lies a journey filled with sacrifices and uncertainties. One dark reality rarely discussed is the toll on mental and emotional well-being. The pressure to succeed can lead to burnout, strained relationships, and isolation.

It's crucial for aspiring founders to recognize these challenges, prioritize self-care, and cultivate a strong support network. Celebrating wins and embracing learning experiences are vital. Each success, no matter how small, deserves acknowledgment.

Similarly, setbacks are opportunities to learn and grow. Understanding that it's not what happens, but how you react and respond, shapes resilience. This mindset shift is critical in navigating the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, fostering perseverance, and maintaining a balanced perspective amidst adversity.

Adam Toren, Co-founder, Kidpreneurs.org

Proactively Seek Support Systems

Despite being surrounded by a team or network, the unique pressures and responsibilities can create a feeling of loneliness, as the ultimate burden of success or failure rests heavily on the founder's shoulders. This emotional strain, if not managed well, can lead to burnout and affect both personal and professional life. Aspiring founders should be aware of this and proactively seek support systems and mental health resources to navigate these challenges.

Mark Langlie, C0-Founder, TalentWyze

Balance Business and Personal Finances

I founded my own team within the framework of my current employer. Being an "intrapreneur" has its own benefits and challenges. I have direct control over forming my team and am responsible for my group's P&L statement, but I also have resources and systems available to me that expand my reach beyond what I could do if I started my own company from scratch.

However, in my experience, the hardest part of having my own business is maintaining financial balance. I have to continuously juggle reinvesting in my business while also taking care of my personal balance sheet. This balance requires that while I am intentionally growing my business, I must also ensure that I am mindful of reinvesting in myself. Founders should know that while they are steadily updating their business plan, they cannot neglect their personal financial plan.

Myah Moore Irick, Senior Vice President & Founder, The Irick Group- Merrill Private Wealth Management

No Days Off in Entrepreneurship

There is no PTO when you are an entrepreneur; there are very few days off at all. There is also no such thing as "enough money" when you are an entrepreneur. Businesses need capital to flourish and grow. You need to have the courage and self-awareness to understand and accept when things don't go as planned. Time is your enemy. As Jeff Bezos said, "Being wrong might hurt you; being slow will kill you."

Michael Rosinus, Co-Founder and CEO, GoHydrate

Combat Obsessive Work Thoughts

A dark reality about entrepreneurship I seldom heard before starting a business is how difficult it is to "shut off."

People talk about the highest highs and lowest lows, but they don't tell you that you can't mentally escape from the racing thoughts, both good and bad.

What happens is a deep-seated obsession that creeps into your entire life. You obsess about work on weekends, vacations, and while spending time with family and friends. It takes over your life.

To succeed in the long run, it would help if you found healthy avenues to stop these obsessive thoughts. Meditation, exercise, hobbies, and meaningful social gatherings are great places to start.

Hal Smith, Founder, H Street Digital

Build Stamina for the Long Haul

Entrepreneurship requires strong perseverance and is definitely not for the weak-willed. It involves significant personal sacrifices, financial roller-coaster rides, and mental health challenges like loneliness, stress, and anxiety. Feelings of burnout and depression are not uncommon.

You need to approach entrepreneurship with the mindset that you will be running a marathon. So, build your stamina (financial) and endurance (mental) before you embark on the journey, and along the way, ensure you expend your energy judiciously (fiscal prudence) for the long haul.

Sandeep Bhat, Founder, MindSpeak Consultants

Prepare for Financial Uncertainty

I have helped co-found a few businesses here and there, and I think some things aren't spoken about enough in the entrepreneurship landscape (because it can become glorified sometimes). I'd like to bring up financial uncertainty, because I think sometimes it can get overlooked with the initial excitement of having a good business idea!

In the general entrepreneurship world, the financial landscape can be really unpredictable, where there will be periods of financial highs and lows—with there sometimes being no guarantee of revenue. This can be very stressful, and if it's prolonged, it could impact your personal and professional lifestyle.

If you're thinking of starting your own business, make sure that you're prepared for fluctuations like this to happen. Have a financial plan in place and a plan of attack in case something goes wrong. I suggest that before starting your business, build a bit of a financial safety net to make sure everything goes okay. One way you can do this is to make sure to have different accounts set up for business, personal, and emergencies—and don't dip into one at the expense of the others.

Remember, understanding and preparing for financial uncertainty is key to sustaining and growing a successful business.

Mark Wilkinson, Co-Founder and Financial Operator, TileCloud

Maintain Mental Discipline

Entrepreneurship isn't for the faint of heart, but keep going.

When you start out, you often have to become efficient in all kinds of skills and roles you didn't anticipate: admin, finance, sales, marketing yourself and the company, using LinkedIn, and the list goes on.

Essentially, you're working around the clock to ensure your dream succeeds (it's not 9-5 p.m. anymore, but 24/7, remember), and that's entirely true until you scale it up to a place where you can hire or outsource.

Often overlooked is the mental discipline to keep going when things don't go as planned. Bad clients, lack of growth, posts lacking in engagement, struggling to pay bills—there is no limit to the number of setbacks you can encounter while scaling up.

Taking care of yourself and your mental health, and showing up every day, not only for yourself but for your audience and customers, is worth every late night and email sent. I'm sure most founders would agree with me that they wouldn't trade the flexibility and freedom for any corporate job in the world.

Sarah Yeary, Founder, Titanium22

Hiring Mistakes Can Be Disruptive

To me, it is hard, then easy, then hard again. What you fantasize about—opportunity, financial gain, flexibility—really is the best part, but what you quickly learn is that with that comes greater challenges to navigate. I often joke that nothing will mature and toughen you up faster than being an entrepreneur. And funny enough, the more problems you navigate, the more tenacity and perseverance you bring into the next one. It's a wild ride, and there isn't much that is easy about it. But would I have it any other way? Absolutely not.

What can happen when you make the wrong hire? The reality is, there will be some bad apples. It is inevitable. But it is frightening to know that sometimes it can take just one person to disrupt something incredible you've built. I've learned never to be too detached from my business and that your team is everything. I've also learned that one of the most underrated skills in business is following your gut!

Lindsay Nead, Founder + CEO, Parker Talent Management

Embrace the Entrepreneurial Pressure

Entrepreneurship is one of the toughest challenges you'll ever face; it occupies your brain every waking moment and becomes a lifestyle rather than a job.

Despite working for yourself being incredibly freeing and rewarding (when things go well), nothing prepares you for the countless times you'll want to quit. After a couple of long, stressful days, it's easy to imagine how much simpler life would be as an employee.

Sometimes, I'd give anything for the ease of being an employee: feeling that Friday feeling, not worrying about clients, workload, business direction, or monthly income. The weight of these responsibilities can be heavy and constant.

You need to be prepared for this pressure and understand that wanting to throw in the towel is normal. However, if you stick with it, it will be worth it—at least on some days.

Luke Manton, Founder, Manton Executives LTD

Fail Without Giving Up

How hard is entrepreneurship? For some, it's unattainable; for a select few, it's grueling.

Undoubtedly, entrepreneurship is hard, but for those who can thrive in this environment, it can change your entire life.

The one thing I've discovered in entrepreneurship is that no matter what stage you're in, the challenges become increasingly difficult and more complex. What makes people successful in this field is the ability to fail without giving up.

There have been numerous times, from startup to where I am today, when I thought to myself, "I can't do it," "I don't have the right skill set," or "I'm not talented enough." Throughout your entrepreneurial journey, you always have to learn and grow new skill sets. The ability to be bad at something and not see any results, but still push forward, is what separates the successful from those who fail.

Many people give up before seeing the fruits of their labor. Even through my success, there have been numerous times when I thought, "If only I had 'x, y, or z,' I could make it work." The reality is, you have everything you need to make it work—you just need to be comfortable being bad at it.

Every time you achieve success, you end up in a new situation where you're no longer the master of your craft. There are always new levels of problems to figure out and new levels of success to achieve.

My advice for aspiring founders: get comfortable not being good at something. You need to be well-acquainted with new challenges. The difference between successful entrepreneurs and unsuccessful ones is the ability to humbly stand tall and continue pushing forward.

Taylor Riley, Founder, Boom. Facility Service Advisors

Navigate the Uncertainty

One dark reality that isn't often discussed is the overwhelming uncertainty. There is no boss to give you direction, no clear path, and nothing is guaranteed. You truly never know if you're on the right path or not.

Sure, there are mentors who can help and offer guidance, but at the end of the day, the responsibility and decisions rest on your shoulders. It's liberating—but it's also terrifying.

Entrepreneurship is absolutely rewarding, but it's also filled with unpredictability. If you can get into it with the understanding that uncertainty will always be there, you'll have a higher chance of pulling through.

David Martirosian, Founder, David Martirosian

Entrepreneurship Strains Personal Lives

Entrepreneurship is hard, really hard, and the thing is that it's not just hard on you. Being an entrepreneur can also take an enormous toll on a person's family and personal life. Don't kid yourself! When you're pouring 110% of yourself into your business, there's not a lot left over for your friends, family, children, or significant other. Birthdays, anniversaries, games, and recitals will be missed, and that's not even considering all the little things that happen in life that are so very meaningful. It's no surprise that relationships get strained and can break.

Entrepreneurship IS rewarding, but it's delusional to go into it and think that you can also be totally present for your family and friends as much as you'd want as well. Be honest with yourself and the people you love, and when you can be there for them, make it count!

Lisa Tsou, Startup Funding Strategist and Advisor, The Winning Pitch

Manage the Constant Mental Load

In my experience, entrepreneurship is hard. Having built a multi-million-dollar company, I think the one thing that's not talked about enough is the constant mental load being an entrepreneur carries with it. I am constantly worried about every aspect of my business. Will all my employees show up this week? What sort of training should I be working on providing to help them improve? Am I innovating enough to ensure I don't fall behind in my industry? How can I grow my sales? How can I manage this difficult client? The list goes on and on.

Even when I'm "on vacation," my mind is focused on my business. I can't totally disconnect because if something falls through the cracks, it's my name on the company and my responsibility to deliver. With time, I've become better at managing this pressure and finding a better work/life balance. However, if you want to be an entrepreneur, your business will constantly be on your mind, and this can easily lead to burnout.

Ellin Lolis, CEO and Founder, Ellin Lolis Consulting

Address Emotional Toll of Isolation

In the glamorous world of entrepreneurship, where success stories often sparkle like diamonds, we rarely discuss the underlying pressure that founders face daily.

Entrepreneurship is like navigating a stormy sea with a leaky boat—thrilling, but you can't ignore the constant threat of sinking.

One dark reality of entrepreneurship that isn't often discussed is the emotional toll of isolation. Founders frequently find themselves in a unique position where they can't fully share their burdens with employees, investors, or even friends and family. The weight of decision-making—often without a safety net—can lead to loneliness and stress that many underestimate.

This solitary struggle is compounded by the "fake it till you make it" culture, which encourages masking vulnerabilities. As a result, mental health can deteriorate, impacting both personal well-being and business performance.

Aspiring founders should be prepared not just for the financial and operational challenges, but also for the emotional resilience required. Building a strong support network and prioritizing mental health are crucial steps often overlooked in the startup narrative.

Wandia Chiuri, CEO, Reactionpower

Build a Supportive Community

Listen, entrepreneurship is like deciding to train for a marathon with zero running experience. At first, you're pumped, imagining yourself crossing the finish line with a big smile. But soon, you realize you need to buy the right gear, follow a strict training schedule, and endure blisters and muscle aches. Some days, you're running smoothly; other days, you're questioning your life choices while hobbling through the last mile.

There are moments of triumph when you hit a personal best, and moments of despair when you just want to collapse on the couch with a tub of ice cream. Yet, despite the sweat, tears, and occasional doubts, when you finally cross that finish line, the sense of achievement is unmatched. So, sure, entrepreneurship is tough, but the journey and the victory make it all worth it.

One dark reality of entrepreneurship that isn't often discussed is the profound sense of isolation you can experience. While social media and success stories often showcase the glamorous side of being a founder, the truth is that many of us spend countless hours working alone, making tough decisions, and dealing with the pressure of being responsible for the success or failure of our ventures.

However, building a strong community along the way is not just a luxury—it's a necessity. Surrounding yourself with fellow entrepreneurs, mentors, and supportive friends and family can make a world of difference. And despite the challenges, it's important to remember how much of a privilege it is to be an entrepreneur. We get to create something from nothing, pursue our passions, and potentially make a significant impact on the world. The journey is tough, but the sense of accomplishment and the freedom to carve your own path make it incredibly rewarding.

Marina Middleton, CEO, Create & Cultivate

Understand Entrepreneurship Fatigue

Entrepreneurship can be extremely hard. This can be seen by the number of startups and entrepreneurs who fail to make it through the first year. One needs to be very passionate about what one does to put in the hours and energy required to build something from the ground up.

"Entrepreneurship fatigue" can then occur, which happens after a prolonged period of non-stop thinking and working on the company. At one point, this sort of burnout happens. This phrase was coined for me by Brendan Hoggle and made a lot of sense after I went through a similar experience.

These are the moments, especially when the initial fire meets the moments of little obvious movement in the building phase, when many founders quit. It is then important to stay consistent, have a great vision, and mission to keep you going.

Benny Voncken, Stoic Life Coach, Motivational Speaker, Podcast Host, Via Stoica

Business Partners Aren't Friends

Your business partners are not your friends. I believe in creating positive outcomes for everyone; business isn't a zero-sum game. However, keep in mind that the people you work with, especially outside your company, have different incentives and goals.

We worked with a partner for many years and considered them a close friend. When it was time to renegotiate their contract, rather than starting with fair market pricing, we proposed our best offer right out of the gate, thinking they would appreciate the gesture and it would strengthen our relationship even further.

We couldn't have been more wrong. Our years of partnership apparently meant nothing to our counterparty, who ruthlessly demanded many times more than the fair market value of the services. We eventually came to an agreement, but the relationship was forever damaged, and we parted ways soon after.

Justin Pincar, Founder & CTO, Achievable, Inc.

Acknowledge the Role of Luck

Many books have been written, podcasts voiced, and TED Talks given on various topics regarding the hard reality of building a company from scratch. However, what is not often discussed is the significant factor of luck in addition to your talent, product scalability, and innovation. Being in the right place at the right time and foreseeing future trends play crucial roles in your success.

Ruslan Mogilevets, CRO, Cetient

Confront Self-Doubt Head-On

Entrepreneurship is the ongoing internal struggle between blind faith and self-doubt. At the end of the day, you are solely responsible for growing your business. If you fail, you can't collect unemployment. Not having a safety net keeps the stakes high on a daily basis. The darkest moments are when you grapple with wondering if you are actually "good enough" to grow your business. What if you're not? As an entrepreneur, you have to have the fortitude to keep pressing forward anyway.

Anjeanette Carter, CEO, Copywrite Your Life

Focus on Sales and Leads

Entrepreneurship can be challenging, but it becomes manageable if you are passionate about it and have figured things out. Unfortunately, despite what some marketing ads and business influencers may claim, turning your passion into actual profit requires a lot of hard work. Otherwise, why don't we have 50% multi-millionaires but only less than 1%?

To build a successful business, you will need to create a high-value offer (or product), generate high-quality leads, and establish an effective sales system. If you are an aspiring founder, make sure to launch your product or service as early as possible to test it in the real market and be obsessed with improving it.

One reality of entrepreneurship that you should know (and any aspiring founder) is to focus on one product (or service), one target persona (leads), and build a sales system. These are the most beneficial when launching and growing. It's natural to feel overwhelmed, especially when many people are advocating for their marketing solutions, so if you are working the third month on the website, constantly creating funnels and offers and not crossing $50,000 a month, stop and focus on your one service, generating more leads and sales daily. That is the fastest way to build a scalable business these days.

And remember, it has never been easier and more accessible, thanks to social media platforms, to reach the most qualified leads. Instead of buying another "get rich quick" program, open LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram and start sending 25-50 cold outreach messages:

"Hey ! How are you doing today?"

Then ask them questions showing interest in their hobby/life/business:

"I saw you are into ! How long have you been…"

Transition to a question connected directly to your offer:

"Do you have in place? Do you have time to ?"

Three simple qualification questions, pitch, and send a payment link. If you offer a high-ticket solution, message them to book a call with you or the sales team. Sales online aren't about pushing people to buy but finding people who need your solution, and the faster you can solve their problem, the more you can charge.

Martyna Boss, Business Consultant, House of White Ravens LLC

Manage Emotional and Mental Toll

Entrepreneurship is hard because you often don't know what you don't know. When you start out, you might not know who your target market is, whether your product is useful, or if you're heading in the right direction. Aspiring founders should keep an open mind, be willing to research, talk to potential customers, learn new skills, and change course if needed.

One dark reality of entrepreneurship that isn't often discussed is the emotional and mental toll it can take. The constant pressure to succeed, the responsibility of making important decisions, and the risk of failure can lead to a lot of stress and anxiety. Aspiring founders should be prepared for this and have support systems in place to help manage it.

Veni Kunche, CEO, Diversify Tech

Prepare for Isolation and Loneliness

Entrepreneurship is incredibly challenging, and one of its darkest realities is the profound sense of isolation and loneliness that often accompanies the journey. As founders pour their time, energy, and resources into their ventures, they frequently find themselves drifting apart from friends and family who may not understand the demands of building a business. The long hours, constant stress, and singular focus required can strain relationships, leading to a shrinking social circle.

Many entrepreneurs find themselves missing important life events, struggling to maintain friendships, and feeling increasingly disconnected from their non-entrepreneurial peers. This isolation is compounded by the unique pressures of leadership, where founders must maintain a positive front for their team and investors, often leaving them with few outlets to express their doubts and fears. The need to make difficult decisions, sometimes affecting people's livelihoods, can further alienate entrepreneurs from their social networks.

This loneliness, while rarely discussed openly, can take a significant toll on mental health and well-being, making it a crucial aspect for aspiring founders to consider and prepare for as they embark on their entrepreneurial journey.

Nicole Smartt Serres, Founder, Smartt Enterprises

Build Your Own Support Systems

One of the dark realities of entrepreneurship is, by far, loneliness. This is where I believe the slogan "It's lonely at the top" comes from. Entrepreneurship affects your personal and professional development, which I believe is intimidating to a lot of people. As a Dutch immigrant and entrepreneur in the United States with no business background, I felt the most loneliness in the first two years of entrepreneurship.

Few people understand what it takes to get a business off the ground and the sacrifices you have to make. "No one supports you like the stranger on the internet," and unfortunately, this is true for most entrepreneurs. As you get past the first two years in entrepreneurship, you start to find your "tribe" and people who are doing similar things as you. Know that it doesn't have to be lonely as an entrepreneur, but that you need to build your own support systems, which don't (and likely won't) always come from family or your closest friends.

Milou Pietersz, CEO, Marketing Strategist, Simply Multimedia

Recognize Role of Luck and Privilege

Hard work is essential for success, but luck and privilege also play significant roles. Success often results from a blend of persistent effort and fortunate circumstances. While a lack of finances and a network can make the journey difficult, it is certainly not impossible.

Shortly after launching my company, I sought to join a division of an organization for young founders aged 18-30. This club boasts a roster of some of the most prominent founders and CEOs. I was informed that I was ineligible because my parents weren't members. The criteria included having 50 full-time employees or 15+ employees with a minimum of $2,500,000 in annual employee compensation.

Anna Spearman, Founder, Techie Staffing

Handle Financial Challenges in Growth

Entrepreneurship is not a matter of skill set; it is primarily a matter of nerves and morale. You have to be able to handle uncertainty and insecurity, and believe in yourself and your product even through hard times. But believing cannot be theoretical. You have to put in the work, analyze the facts, be clear about the business opportunity, and make the necessary changes to reach your goals.

I would say, probably, financing can be pretty daunting! We all understand that we need to finance failure, but even in the case of success and growth, finance can be tricky. In our industry, for example, we purchase raw materials and packaging materials now for a product that will be produced in 6 months, distributed in 9-12 months, and paid for in 12-15 months. This means that you have to secure funds and prepay for growth, which can be challenging for cash flow. It is very important to understand that while you are building your business plan and not too late in the process.

Lena Korres, Co-Founder, Chief Innovation Officer, Korres

Appreciate the Entrepreneurial Marathon

Launching a new product is a marathon, not a sprint. I learned this firsthand when I recently launched our vodka brand, a process that took us four years of hard work and meticulous research. Delving into every detail, understanding the marketplace, and perfecting the product were all important steps that couldn't be hurried.

I've noticed that the waiting and the behind-the-scenes efforts are usually underappreciated aspects of entrepreneurship. It's not just about having a groundbreaking idea; it's also about sticking to it, refining every aspect until it shines. This is the foundation of creating something very impressive.

For anyone dreaming of starting their own business, be prepared for a long, demanding process. It's filled with challenges, but believe me, the reward of finally introducing your product to the world is well worth the effort. Patience and commitment are your best allies here.

Steven Mitts, Founder & CEO, IVeinte Spirits

Set Intention for Self-Healing

Our behavior towards entrepreneurship relates to our unfulfilled needs and the desire to create an ideal life for ourselves and others. In pursuing this goal, we put ourselves through a roller coaster of emotions where the high highs are punctuated by the low lows—the rewards are punctuated by the abyss that mirrors the darkness within us, which can be difficult to deal with.

We then seek more, bigger, and better. Sometimes, we lose sight of our WHY, and life becomes a perpetual hamster wheel, resulting in utter burnout and despair. Many entrepreneurs never had someone hold this mirror up to themselves and say, "It's okay to rest, to pour the love back into YOU. You are enough." Rest, reset, and begin again with a more compassionate mindset. It is possible to create an entity that heals others and yourself if you set your intention right.

Dr. Samantha Hiew, Social Entrepreneur, Scientist, and Keynote Speaker, ADHD Girls

Address Loneliness and Responsibility

Entrepreneurship is incredibly challenging and often more demanding than it appears from the outside. One dark reality of entrepreneurship that isn't often discussed is the pervasive sense of loneliness that many founders experience. Starting and running a business often requires long hours, intense focus, and sacrifices that can isolate you from friends, family, and social activities.

The pressure to succeed can be overwhelming, and the weight of responsibility can feel like a constant burden. Unlike a typical job where you can leave work behind at the end of the day, entrepreneurship can consume your thoughts and time around the clock.

In my own experience, there were many nights spent worrying about decisions, finances, and the future of the company. Despite having a supportive team, the ultimate responsibility falls on the founder, which can be isolating. This loneliness can lead to burnout, stress, and mental health challenges if not addressed. Recognizing and addressing the mental and emotional challenges of entrepreneurship is essential for long-term success and well-being.

Michelle Aran, Founder & CEO, Velvet Caviar

Manage Variable Income and Decisions

Entrepreneurship is hard, but also beautiful, of course, as we get to have the movement and impact that we dream of. It is hard in the sense that you need to learn to manage variable income. Income ebbs and flows with high months and lower months, so you have to get out of that thinking and learn how to save and pay yourself the same no matter what.

You also experience a personal tie to your business. You are the head of this ship and have to make all decisions, whether they are good or hard ones to make, like letting go of a team member or client. You have to be able to let the personal feeling go and remember that you are leading a business.

It is also harder to turn the business brain off. Yes, you can control your own schedule, but at the end of the day, it is more difficult to turn off this brain. You may feel like you are constantly on and have to learn how to balance this.

Dr. Kimberly Reynolds, Doctor Business Coach, The Doctor Coach School

Learn All Business Aspects

Being a successful entrepreneur is by no means easy. When starting my own website and graphic design business, I found that knowing how to do everything was the hardest part. It's not enough to just know what you like and what you do best; you have to learn many aspects of the business to get it running and profitable, such as software development, sales, accounting, and invoicing. This experience led me to work for a company that makes it easier for people to become successful entrepreneurs. After ten years, we have helped thousands of entrepreneurs start and succeed in their businesses by providing a proven white-label solution, eliminating much of the learning curve and allowing them to focus more on what they do best.

Dan McDonald, Creative Director, Head of Projects, textLIVING

Embrace Courage and Creativity

"Leap and the net will appear" is the quote I live by as an entrepreneur. Challenges arise, and the journey is long, but when you have a strong vision and belief in the brand, your small idea can become a really big thing! Being an entrepreneur takes a lot of courage, vision, and creativity. One of the most important things is to always be willing to pivot, even when it's not in your strategy.

"Do something today that your future self will thank you for" is a strong mindset for anyone looking to build something new and can apply to many stages of the business. Being an entrepreneur can be similar to playing competitive sports; each season has wins and losses, but you always have to show up for the next game with a fresh outlook and goal (and French braids!). It's both a marathon and a sprint.

Sarah Potempa, Celebrity Stylist and Co-Founder, The Beachwaver Co.