10 Valuable Business Lessons: From Struggles to Triumph

Business lessons are invaluable when it comes to navigating the complex world of entrepreneurship.

They provide insights, wisdom, and guidance that can shape the trajectory of your business journey.

As an entrepreneur who embarked on the path of starting a lifestyle/weight loss coaching business,

I have gained a wealth of knowledge through firsthand experiences.

In this article, I will share some of the most valuable business lessons I learned along the way. 

Whether you’re considering starting your own business or seeking inspiration for growth in your existing venture,

These lessons will provide valuable insights to help you thrive in the competitive landscape of any industry.

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Business Lessons...

Starting a business is an exhilarating and rewarding journey, but it comes with its fair share of challenges and surprises.

As an entrepreneur, a wife, and a mom of four, I’ve experienced firsthand the ups and downs of building a business from scratch.

In this article, I’ll share ten [10] things I learned and wish I had known before embarking on my entrepreneurial path.

Business Lesson 1. Not Knowing Where to Start:

When I first ventured into entrepreneurship, I was overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information and decisions that needed to be made.

Business lessons: start small, focus on one task at a time, and don’t be afraid to seek guidance from mentors or business communities.

Taking small steps and gradually expanding my knowledge and skills helped build a strong foundation for my business.

Stressed woman touching her head

Joining supportive communities, whether through

  • group coaching sessions,
  • online forums, or
  • social media groups,

fostered a sense of belonging and provided additional encouragement and motivation.

Seeking and collaborating with other professionals in different fields, such as

  • Professional bloggers like Sarah,
  • online marketers,
  • video and email experts, etc

broadened my knowledge base and allowed for a more comprehensive approach to my business.

Business Lessons 2. The Reality Behind Online Glamour:

In the age of social media, it’s easy to get caught up in the glamorous façade presented by successful entrepreneurs.

However, it’s important to remember that the journey to success is rarely as effortless as it appears online.

Business lessons: be prepared for setbacks, failures, and moments of doubt.

Stay true to yourself, embrace authenticity, and focus on your unique path.

Patience is a Virtue: Understanding that all that glitter isn’t gold, helped me set remain sane.

Utilizing positive reinforcement and celebrating milestones along the way created a positive mindset and encouraged me to continue.

display of money

Regularly reflecting on my progress, seeking client feedback, and adapting my strategies based on their input allowed for continuous improvement and client satisfaction.

Business Lesson 3. Dealing with Technical Glitches and Legal Issues:

Navigating the technical and legal aspects of running a business can be daunting.

Especially as I am operating in a foreign country and encountering permit and tax ID requirement issues.

Business lesson: research local regulations, consult professionals, and stay organized with documentation.

artificial intelligence (ai) and technology

 

Evolve with Technology:

Embracing technology, such as online coaching platforms and digital tools, enhanced the accessibility and convenience of my coaching services.

Addressing challenges head-on will save you time and prevent unnecessary stress in the long run.

Business Lesson 4. Balancing My Role as a Wife and Mom:

One of the biggest challenges I faced was finding the right balance between my business and my family responsibilities.

It became essential to establish clear boundaries, prioritize self-care, and communicate effectively with my loved ones.

By setting realistic expectations and seeking my husband and children’s support, I created harmony between my personal and professional life.

Balancing the demands of running a business with personal life

and

self-care may be the missing link between you and peace of mind, but it requires conscious effort.

Time and money balance concept

Business lesson: practice effective goal setting [SMART] and stay focused on time management.

Business Lessons 5. The Sleepless Nights and Extra Hard Work Required:

Starting a business requires dedication and persistence.

They were numerous sleepless nights, countless hours of hard work, and moments of self-doubt.

However, I remembered that every setback is an opportunity for growth.

Embracing the challenges, staying focused on goals, and celebrating small victories along the way, helped me massively!

Ngozi Chijioke-Agina

 

Prioritizing self-care, including maintaining my own physical

and

mental well-being, enabled me to show up as the best coach for my clients.

Business lessons: emphasize sustainable lifestyle habits rather than short-term fixes.

Avoid restrictive approaches for long-lasting change and overall well-being.

 

 

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Business Lesson 6. The Power of Social Media Presence and Marketing:

Building a strong online presence and leveraging social media platforms is crucial in today’s digital age.

The power of social media marketing to connect with my target audience, to showcase my brand’s unique value, was new to me.

You see, I wasn’t even on social media or Facebook, before I started my business.

Incredible isn’t it?

It became necessary to

  • build a loyal customer base,
  • invest time in learning effective strategies,
  • stay reasonably visible/consistent, and
  • adapt to evolving trends.
woman sits on wooden table on kitchen with her phone.

Creating an effective marketing strategy and developing a strong brand identity that resonated with your target audience was a learning curve.

Business lesson: identifying and reaching your target audience, understanding and tailoring your services to meet their expectations may require research and experimentation.

Business Lessons 7. Working Diligently on Strengths while Continually Learning:

It took some time to recognize my strengths and leverage them to drive the business forward.

Identifying areas where I excel to allocate my time and resources accordingly is still an ongoing adventure.

At the same time, I commit myself to lifelong learning, embracing new knowledge, acquiring new skills, and adapting to industry trends.

Continuous improvement is the key to staying ahead in the competitive business landscape.

Celebration

 

Recognizing and celebrating even the smallest achievements has

empowered and motivated me to keep progressing.

Business lessons: embrace the power of accountability.

Measures such as progress tracking and regular check-ins, will help keep you motivated and accountable to your goals. 

Business Lesson 8. Establishing Credibility:

Building trust and establishing myself as a credible lifestyle coach in a competitive industry posed initial challenges.

In order to reach my specific target audience, I had to understand their needs and tailor my services to meet their expectations.

Empathy and understanding of my clients’ challenges and struggles allowed me to provide a safe and non-judgmental space for them to share their experiences.

Authenticity is Key:

Embracing authenticity and staying true to myself attracted clients who resonated with my genuine approach and values.

Women drinking coffee and talking

Dealing with client resistance, low motivation, and setbacks on their weight loss journey requires patience, empathy, and effective communication skills.

A supportive community like

  • group coaching sessions,
  • online forums, and
  • social media groups,

fostered a sense of belonging and provided additional encouragement and motivation.

Business Lessons 9. Managing Self-Doubt:

Overcoming self-doubt and imposter syndrome, especially in the early stages of my business, was an obstacle on my journey.

Self-doubt is a common challenge faced by many entrepreneurs, including those in the weight loss coaching business.

The first step was acknowledging that self-doubt was a natural part of the entrepreneurial process.

I accepted that it was normal to have moments of uncertainty and insecurity.

Brightly Colored Post It Notes With Positive Affirmations.

Reframing negative thoughts and self-critical inner dialogue helped.

Instead of dwelling on self-doubt,

I focused on positive affirmations and reminded myself of past successes and the value I bring to my clients.

Business lessons: overcoming self-doubt is an ongoing journey, and it requires consistent effort and self-reflection.

Embrace your strengths, seek support, and remember that you possess the skills and qualities needed.

Business Lesson 10. Pricing and Financial Management:

Learning financial management for my business was crucial for long-term success and sustainability.

So also was determining appropriate pricing for my coaching services and managing business finances effectively.

 

A user-friendly accounting software to streamline financial processes and automate tasks such as invoicing, etc, came in handy.

business lessons on financial management

This tool allowed me to maintain organized records and gain a clear understanding of my business’s financial health.

Business lesson: creating a detailed budget is essential in managing expenses and ensuring a healthy financial position.

 

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Wrapping it all up...

Remember, these lessons are based on my personal experience, and your journey may have its own unique insights.

Continually reflecting on your experiences and learning from them will contribute to your growth as an entrepreneur.

The path to success is unique for every entrepreneur, so trust your instincts, stay resilient, and enjoy the rewarding journey ahead.

Do you have a similar experience?

Share with us in the comment section below!

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