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My 6 Big Lessons From 9 Years of Entrepreneurship and $7 Million in Sales – The Fail To Win Podcast Episode 269
Home » Blog » My 6 Big Lessons From 9 Years of Entrepreneurship and $7 Million in Sales – The Fail To Win Podcast Episode 269

My 6 Big Lessons From 9 Years of Entrepreneurship and $7 Million in Sales – The Fail To Win Podcast Episode 269

January 7, 2025 By fastforwardamy Leave a Comment

Nine years, countless mistakes, and over $7 million in sales later, I’ve learned some critical lessons about what it really takes to build a business that not only scales but also brings joy. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure how to balance growth with happiness as a CEO, this blog post (and my accompanying latest podcast episode) is for you.

Here’s what I’ve discovered on my journey—and how you can use these lessons to transform your business.

Lesson 1: Stop People-Pleasing and Start Leading Like a CEO

For years, I was so focused on making everyone happy—my team, my clients, and even myself—that I lost sight of what it meant to truly lead my business. I was stuck in endless meetings, hesitant to make decisions, and constantly second-guessing myself.

The turning point came when I realized I wasn’t acting like the CEO—I was acting like an employee in my own company. I made a decision to step into my CEO role with confidence. That meant setting boundaries, focusing on the bigger picture, and trusting my own instincts.

✨ Action Tip: Reflect on where you’re people-pleasing in your business. Set clear boundaries and prioritize decisions that align with your vision.

Lesson 2: Plan Ahead to Reduce Overwhelm

For years, planning ahead felt daunting and restrictive. I thought it would limit my creativity and make me feel boxed in. But the truth is, failing to plan was costing me peace of mind, energy, and ROI.

This year, I created a full-year plan for the first time—every sales period, webinar, and launch was mapped out. It allowed me to focus on execution, not constant decision-making, and reduced my stress dramatically.

✨ Action Tip: Download my free 2025 planner to map out your year, so you can stay ahead without the last-minute chaos. DM me “2025 planner” on Instagram for access.

Lesson 3: Focus on Profits, Not Just Revenue

As entrepreneurs, it’s easy to get caught up in revenue goals. But I learned the hard way that big revenue doesn’t always mean big profits. In 2023, I spent a full year cutting costs, streamlining expenses, and optimizing my team.

The result? My business became more profitable, even with a smaller team. Profit is what gives you the freedom to grow sustainably—it’s not just about how much money you make, but how much you keep.

✨ Action Tip: Regularly review your costs and focus on activities that deliver the highest ROI. Small adjustments can have a big impact on your bottom line.

Lesson 4: Take Bold Action and Turn “One Day” Into “Day One”

For years, I told myself I’d organize events “one day.” But then I realized: waiting for the perfect moment wasn’t getting me anywhere. In April, I decided to take action and organized a major event in just eight weeks.

The event was a massive success, and it reminded me that bold, decisive action is often the key to achieving big results.

✨ Action Tip: Think of one “one day” goal you’ve been putting off. Commit to starting it today, even if it’s messy and imperfect.

Lesson 5: Lead Your Vision With Clarity

As a CEO, your job is to pave the way for your team. I used to spend hours in endless brainstorming sessions, trying to involve everyone in every decision. But I learned that my team doesn’t need to debate the vision—they need me to set it clearly and give them direction.

This shift allowed me to focus on what matters most while empowering my team to execute with confidence.

✨ Action Tip: Get clear on your long-term vision. Share it with your team, but don’t compromise it based on external opinions.

Lesson 6: Align Projects With Your Goals

One of the biggest mistakes I see entrepreneurs make is splitting their focus. I used to be guilty of this too—launching side projects that didn’t move the needle for my main business.

Now, I focus on aligning everything I do with my primary goals. This approach helped me scale my business club and triple my client base this year, without feeling scattered or overworked.

✨ Action Tip: Audit your current projects. Are they aligned with your main goal, or are they distractions? Eliminate or integrate anything that isn’t contributing to your vision.

Closing Thoughts

These six lessons have transformed my business and reignited my passion for entrepreneurship. If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or uninspired, know that change is possible.

Take it from someone who’s been there: You can build a business that scales profitably while bringing you joy every single day. It starts with clarity, bold action, and a willingness to prioritize what truly matters.

👉 Listen to the full episode for a deeper dive into these lessons and how you can apply them to your journey.

Ready to plan your best year yet? Download my 2025 Digital Planner Template and start scaling with ease!

Filed Under: Blog, Business, Podcast Tagged With: BLOG, BUSINESS, podcast

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