What I learned (the hard way) so you don’t have to.
Quitting my 9-to-5 to go full-time on my side hustle was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
But I won’t sugarcoat it: my first year was messy.
I made mistakes — some small, some costly, all valuable. Looking back, I can see how each misstep helped shape the business I have now. And in the spirit of transparency (and saving you time), I’m sharing them all here.
Whether you’re just starting out or already mid-leap, I hope this helps you avoid the same potholes.
🚧 Mistake #1: Saying Yes to Everything
In the beginning, I was afraid to turn down opportunities. I said “yes” to every project, every client, and every request — even when it didn’t align with my goals or values.
What happened?
Burnout, resentment, and undercharging for work I didn’t even enjoy.
What I learned:
Saying “no” is a skill. Boundaries build businesses, not hustle alone.
💸 Mistake #2: Not Charging What I Was Worth
I underpriced everything — services, digital products, and even my time.
Why?
Fear. Imposter syndrome. And the lie that “lowering my price would attract more clients.”
What I learned:
The right clients respect value, not just cost. Undercharging led to overworking and under-delivering.
⏰ Mistake #3: Wasting Time on Branding Before Validating
I spent weeks designing the perfect logo, tweaking my website, and choosing fonts — instead of selling something.
What I learned:
Pretty branding is great, but it won’t build a business. Revenue > aesthetics in the early stages.
💻 Mistake #4: Not Having a Repeatable Offer
For months, I relied on random projects and one-off gigs. There was no structure — which made income unpredictable.
What I learned:
Clarity sells. Once I packaged my skills into simple, repeatable offers, selling got easier.
📊 Mistake #5: Ignoring My Finances
I didn’t track income properly, forgot to save for taxes, and had no clue what my actual profit margins were.
What I learned:
Money likes attention. Getting a handle on bookkeeping early saved me from big headaches later.
📱 Mistake #6: Trying to Be Everywhere Online
I posted on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest — all at once. I burned out fast.
What I learned:
Go deep, not wide. Focus on one platform that fits your audience and your strengths.
🤝 Mistake #7: Not Asking for Help
I thought I had to do it all alone — from tech to marketing to customer support.
What I learned:
Investing in help (even part-time or freelance) gave me more time to grow and breathe.
🧠 Mistake #8: Avoiding the Hard Stuff (Like Sales)
I loved creating content and designing products. I avoided sales calls, pitching, and direct outreach.
What I learned:
If you’re not selling, you don’t have a business. Confidence comes from doing, not waiting.
🌱 Mistake #9: Comparing My Start to Someone’s Middle
I constantly felt behind. I’d scroll Instagram and think, “They’ve got it all figured out. Why don’t I?”
What I learned:
Comparison kills momentum. Everyone’s timeline is different — build yours at your pace.
🛑 Mistake #10: Forgetting to Rest
In the rush to “make it,” I worked 7 days a week, skipped breaks, and told myself I’d relax later.
What I learned:
Rest isn’t a reward. It’s a requirement. You can’t pour from an empty tank — and burnout costs more than taking a day off.
🎯 Final Thoughts: Mistakes Don’t Mean Failure
Every one of these mistakes taught me something critical. And if you’re making them too, don’t beat yourself up — it’s part of the process.
The key is learning, adapting, and getting back on track faster each time.
You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be in motion.