5 key lessons I’ve learned from being an entrepreneur

When I first started my business, I didn’t realise how much personal growth it would take to keep things moving forward. Running a business isn’t just about finding clients and providing services or selling goods — it’s about resilience, clarity, and learning how to trust yourself when there’s no one else to fall back on.
Hee are the five lessons that have shaped me more than anything else. Whether you’re just starting out or growing something already in motion, these insights might give you a new perspective — or save you time, energy, and a few grey hairs.

1. Clarity beats everything

If you’re not clear on who you’re serving, what you offer, and why it matters, everything else becomes a struggle. Marketing feels flat. Messaging feels confusing. You attract the wrong people and end up doing work that drains you.
When I started out, I based my services on everything I’d done in my career previously and wanted to work with anyone and everyone. It got me started, but now my focus is on multilingual business owners who need business strategy and consulting to support them grow their businesses. I still offer EA services to a couple of VIP clients. But I’ve found I really enjoy working with other business owners to help them clear the fluff and grow their businesses as well as leading a team and seeing them evolve.
Getting clear on your vision, your values, and your ideal client changes everything. It gives you the confidence to say no to the wrong opportunities and create space for the right ones. Clarity brings momentum.

2. Systems create freedom

I used to think systems were for people who loved spreadsheets. But I’ve learned that good systems are the key to having more freedom, not less. When things are organised, documented, and delegated well, you’re not stuck doing everything yourself.
I thought SOPs were only for big businesses but as part of my business consulting training I had to create my own, and I’ve seen how useful they can be for my team, and how their use can free up my time and theirs.
Whether it’s onboarding, content planning or client delivery, building repeatable systems means you can focus on the big-picture work — and finally take that day off without guilt.

3. Community matters more than competition

Entrepreneurship can be lonely if you let it. Surrounding yourself with other business owners who get it makes all the difference. We need sounding boards, cheerleaders and honest feedback — not just likes on Instagram.
I’ve tried a few networking groups, but my absolute favourite is Anglopreneurs. It’s for English speaking entrepreneurs who live and work in Paris or the Ile de France and its focus has always been on facilitating in person connections. We have monthly networking meetings in one of the loveliest cafés in Paris and I try to go as often as possible. Every time there are new faces and inspiring conversations.
There’s more than enough space for all of us. The stronger your network, the more resilient your business becomes.

4. Done is better than perfect

Perfectionism is a form of fear. The truth is, most of what we obsess over — fonts, colour palettes, perfect captions — won’t make or break a business. What matters is consistency, clarity and action.
As a recovering perfectionist, I’ve had to embrace this. In job interviews I used to be asked, what’s your weakness, and I used to say I’m a perfectionist. I thought everything I did had to be perfect. It doesn’t mean that I’ve stopped having high standards or holding myself and my team to providing a service that goes above and beyond for our clients, but rather that as long as I’m doing the best I can with the time and resources I have, that’s what matters.
Get the offer out. Send the email. Launch the service. You can refine as you go, but you can’t improve what doesn’t exist. Progress builds confidence. Waiting for perfect builds doubt.

5. Your mindset is the real CEO

You can have the best tools, a beautiful brand and a talented team, but if your mindset isn’t on board, it’ll hold you back. Self-doubt, fear of visibility, pricing anxiety — they’re not just personal issues, they’re business problems.
I’ve been through some of the toughest times of my life since I started my business, but the 3 pillars that have kept me going are:

i) Knowing my why – having a clear purpose has been essential
ii) Never giving up – I’ve kept on putting one foot in front of another, even on days when I’d have much preferred to spend the day binge watching series on Amazon Prime, eating snacks!
iii) My family – my kids and my husband are my world, and everything I do is for them and I’m incredibly grateful for their support.

I’ve also had to do a deep dive into my own mindset, finding the tools and support to shift my perspective so I could come out stronger on the other side.
Investing in your mindset is not optional. It’s what helps you make bold decisions, weather tough seasons, and show up as the leader your business needs.

Running a business will teach you more about yourself than any course or strategy session ever could. When you embrace the lessons, build solid foundations, and stay connected to your why, it becomes something more than work – it becomes something meaningful and sustainable. And that’s where the magic really begins.

Photo by Chris Liverani - Unsplash