15 Things I’ve Learned in Business in 15 Years
Last week, I quietly marked 15 years of running my own business. It started as a small media consultancy, expanded into publishing, and today encompasses two independent publishing houses and a consultancy where I ghostwrite and advise clients from diverse backgrounds.
Fifteen years of working for yourself teaches you things no textbook can. Some of these lessons were obvious in hindsight. Others were learned the hard way.
Here are 15 things I now know, and that I remind myself of often.
1. You can’t do it all, and you shouldn’t try.
Your skills are valuable. Protect them. Delegate the rest. This was and still is a challenging thing for me, Initially it was cost that meant I had to do it all, but over time that little voice got in my ear and said “can you trust them with your business knowledge?” or “it’ll be quicker to do it than to show someone.” Neither is true, and you have to be careful of doing too much. The biggest realisation for me was when I began to put a value on my time and knowledge and that I should be working on the things I did well and to leave the jobs that weren’t necessary for me to do.
2. Not every client is the right client.
Working with people who respect your time, expertise and value is non-negotiable. Again, in the earlier years of business, I worked with clients that just weren’t worth the invoice - learn the power of no. Again, I still have moments, but I’m a damn sight better than I was! Also, ensure that your clients align with your ethos and values.
3. Time is your most valuable currency.
Manage it. Guard it. Build space into your calendar. And don’t be like me. I’m still terrible at blocking out time for me. I know the lesson, I know I need to do better, my only excuse is that I genuinely love what I do. I have given myself my weekends back and that’s made a difference.
4. Urgency is rarely real.
Taking a breath before responding can prevent many mistakes. I can also guarantee that the minute you act, more info will come in, and you’ll have to do more to resolve the issue. On that note (and this was a huge lesson for me), your business will not fail if you don’t respond immediately!
5. Business will change, constantly.
Be ready to adapt. The business world I entered 15 years ago is unrecognisable today. Marketing has changed dramatically and publishing has moved forward. Be prepared to adapt and grow. Keep learning.
6. Relationships matter more than transactions.
Some of my strongest opportunities have come from relationships built over years, not quick wins. I networked with people 15 years ago and I have made really strong bonds with some of those folk. I have clients who have been with me almost from the beginning. They know me and are always willing to recommend me.
7. Do excellent work and let it speak for you.
There is no better marketing than consistently delivering what you promise. I always give it my very best, I’ve heard under promise and over deliver, if anything, I do have a habit of over promising and over delivering, but that can take its toll. Word-of-mouth recommendations are worth their weight in gold.
8. Set clear boundaries.
Being clear on what you will and will not do prevents future issues. Boundaries protect both your time and your energy. Oooh this was a hard lesson. I’m not ashamed to admit this took a lot of learning to recognise my value before I could do it and I don’t always get it right. I am by nature a people pleaser and a giver, so this one is even more important to me.
9. Financial stability gives you freedom.
Cashflow is critical. Build reserves and manage your finances with the future in mind. So hard at the beginning, 2 small boys and not knowing if I could pay my bills - it left me with a need to make sure I always have work. Now 15 years on, I have that stability but Ive blooming earned it!
10. Being busy is not the same as being effective.
Focus your time on the things that drive your business forward. The rest is noise. Last week I discovered Apple’s ‘Reduce Interruptions’ feature - game changer. I can multitask, but I do find I get distracted by notifications and texts.
11. Your network is a living thing.
Nurture it. Give more than you take. Business is built on trust. LinkedIn has been truly amazing and I’ve met some incredible people and gained some brilliant opportunities. I don’t always have time for f2f networking now, but I’ve joined some important groups and I’m careful with how I spread my time. Don’t cold message people! It doesn’t work - take the time to chat to new connections.
12. Letting go can be the hardest thing.
Whether it is a client, a service, or an idea that no longer serves you, clearing the decks allows for new growth. Oh boy. This is a big one for me this year as I’ve let go of so much but you know what? The doors opening now are awesome!
13. Failure is part of the process.
You will get things wrong. The key is to learn from it and keep moving forward. My early websites, strategies and books were not perfect - and why would they be? It's not the failing, it’s the learning that counts (yes, it’s a cliché) and how you come back.
14. Growth happens outside your comfort zone.
The moments that felt the most daunting have often led to the most meaningful progress. I’m going through it now, am I scared - absolutely. Am I super excited? You bet. Let’s see where I am after 20 years in business!
15. Your values must be at the centre of your business.
The best decisions I’ve made are the ones that align with my values and integrity. When I have ignored that, it has never ended well. “You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear”, my nan used to say, and it’s the same in business. If a relationship isn’t right or a job doesn’t sit well with you, walk away. I recently rejected a book that I know would possibly have been the biggest seller I’d ever had, but the author and the book itself did not have my values, and I couldn’t publish it. Be who you are.
Final thought
Fifteen years on, I still believe the work matters most. The people you work with matter even more. And building a business that reflects who you are and what you stand for is worth every ounce of effort.