5 Challenges from the Early Years of Business

Entrepreneurship is a journey. More important than what you achieve is who you become along the way. Some lessons don’t reveal themselves until you’re in the midst of a challenge. And often it’s only with reflection the lesson becomes more clear.

The excerpt on challenges, below, is from a feature in VoyageKC’s Kansas City’s Most Inspiring Stories series. I added lessons I learned or appreciated more during the past 10 years.

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There have been many challenges along the way, but such is life. How we choose to respond determines our growth.

1. Early on I dealt with copycats to my business model, locally and internationally. Seeing your branding copied and pasted to a business in France is an eye-opening experience. Locally, I had a candid discussion with an imitator to address the issue. Others I block or ignore. Imitation is a part of business; you’ll have to know when to defend and when to stay focused on creating.

LESSON: Have a clear mission and block out the noise.
My business model wasn’t unique, but my timing and approach resonated with creative entrepreneurs. I’m eternally grateful for the relationships and businesses that took root during this time.

2. One of the biggest challenges was a competitor who facilitated similar events with volunteers at no cost to the attendees. Meanwhile, I struggled to charge attendees and pay co-facilitators. This was a tough period for me while I tried to figure out and refine my business model. One of the most helpful insights I received during this time was from a colleague. They shared my competitor was backed by a tech investor. Hearing this gave me some sense of relief because the playing fields weren’t the same.

LESSON: Define your differentiators and communicate them clearly and repeatedly.
I should have done a better job differentiating myself from competition and selecting a specific market instead of trying to serve multiple markets. Start with one thing and do it really well before trying to diversify. You need traction to maintain momentum. I had early momentum, but lacked traction.

3. Another part of the journey is learning to separate your identity from what you do. If you’ve identified yourself by your career, accomplishments, and titles, then it can be quite a transition when those no longer matter. This was a hard lesson, too, but worth it. When you lose the attachment and instead focus on what you can do and who you can help, anything is possible. This mindset gives you the freedom to navigate tough seasons with more grace.

LESSON: You are not your brand. You are not your accomplishments.
Titles and results are only important within context. When the context changes, when life changes, those things no longer matter. An identity grounded in strong principles and high-character will serve you well regardless of context.

4. Create alignment between your pricing, perceived value, and quality of work. When I first started, I undercharged and, as a result, attracted clients who didn’t understand or appreciate the work. Navigating through this requires a strong sense of self, an understanding of the market, integrity, and adherence to your standard of work. Your character is more important than personal branding.

LESSON: Know who you are and focus on serving others well.
Imposter syndrome grows from a lack of congruency. The “personal brand” doesn’t align with who you are and what you do behind the scenes. Creative Chics was this bright pink brand, but it wasn’t an accurate reflection of the knowledge and experience I wanted to share and who I wanted to serve. It took several years, iterations, and “come to Jesus” moments for me to find my footing.

5. Relationships matter. Follow through on your word. Do your best work. Treat people with respect.

LESSON: Don’t let small disagreements burn bridges.
Business is hard. You need people around you who will challenge you. Seek understanding instead of sides. You can understand people without compromising your beliefs and principles. Having people you trust makes the journey 100x better!

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What lesson resonated most with you? What lesson would you add?