Lessons Learned in Entrepreneurship
“I thought, ‘Age should speak; advanced years should teach wisdom.’ But it is the spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding. ”
When I say entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart, I mean it with every fiber of my being.
Whether you are a business owner, farmer, or rancher, the journey is far from easy. From a very young age, I watched my entrepreneurial parents work tirelessly to build their Ag operation from the ground up. When they got married right out of high school, they pooled their resources—including their cow herds, which totaled ten cows. My dad jokes that my mom brought more cows to the table than he did, but the truth is, it’s no joke.
In the early years, cash flow was tight. Disagreements occasionally arose between them about which bills or payments needed to be prioritized. Witnessing this as a child planted a seed of insecurity in me—one that convinced me it was safer to know exactly what I was earning each month. This fear led me to pursue a career in banking, where I enjoyed a steady salary.
For ten years, I thrived in the industry, but in the eleventh year, God called me to step away. Leaving behind that sense of security was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made, and it required a leap of faith that stretched me beyond my comfort zone.
I’ve always considered myself a career woman, but I never imagined becoming an entrepreneur. That seemed like something only brave people would do. However, in May of 2021, just a month after leaving my banking career to stay home with my two young sons, God changed my heart. Though I had left the bank, I found myself still fielding calls from people seeking financial guidance. This led to the launch of my first business, Creekside Analysis, in June 2021. Over time, that business evolved into what is now Creekside Capital.
As I approach the four-year anniversary of leaving the bank, I am humbled and amazed by the lessons God has taught me through the journey of entrepreneurship. If you’re already an entrepreneur, you might relate to these lessons. If you’re currently enjoying the comfort of a steady paycheck, feel free to read on for a glimpse of what this path entails. While there have been many lessons along the way, these four stand out as the most significant:
Lesson #1 – Nothing Stays the Same
That’s right: nothing. Not your business, your income, your clients, and—dare I say it—not even you. One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of being willing to evolve. The vision you have today will likely transform tomorrow. The beauty of this is that, if you allow it, the changes bring incredible growth opportunities.
Lesson #2 – Do Business with Those Whose Values Align with Yours—No Exceptions
This might be the single hardest lesson I’ve had to learn. Call me naïve, but I expected people to treat me the way I would treat them—with honesty and integrity. Unfortunately, not everyone operates that way. Early in my journey, I made too many concessions in the name of securing business, and it cost me dearly. Now, I’ve learned to hold firm to my values, no matter what.
Lesson #3 – Ignoring Red Flags to Get Ahead Will Burn You
This lesson ties closely to the previous one. Any time I ignored a nagging feeling about a situation or person, it ended in disaster. I was so focused on the opportunity at hand that I convinced myself I could push past the obvious weaknesses. Ignoring red flags ultimately led to wasted time, money, and effort. If you’re facing an opportunity and have reservations, I urge you to listen to your intuition. Often, our spirit knows what our mind refuses to acknowledge.
Lesson #4 – Closed Doors Do Not Equal Failure
In August 2023, I had three financing accounts declined in a single day. My business partner texted me, saying, “If we didn’t have bad luck, we wouldn’t have any luck at all!” I was beyond discouraged and questioned why all our hard work seemed to be in vain. However, as time passed, it became clear that God was protecting us and our clients. What I initially saw as failure was actually His way of redirecting us.
In the past, I took closed doors personally, as though they reflected my own shortcomings. While this may occasionally be true, I’ve come to realize that most closed doors are God’s way of keeping us aligned with His greater plan. As Proverbs 16:9 reminds us:
“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”
Next to raising a family, entrepreneurship has been one of the most challenging yet rewarding endeavors of my life. The hard days have stretched my faith and taught me to lean on God in ways I never imagined. These lessons have not only shaped me as a business owner but also deepened my understanding of His purpose for my life.
If you enjoyed this blog, please share it with others. And to my fellow entrepreneurs, Godspeed!
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
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