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Happy Sunday! 👋🏿

I can’t believe it’s been seven years since I left teaching. It only hit me this past week while working with an old colleague on a few webinars. For those who don’t know, I didn’t leave teaching because I wanted to—I had to, due to health issues. I remember that feeling of not knowing what was next and trying to figure out how to price my services as a consultant. It was chaotic, and I didn’t have a clue!

But here I am, seven years later, and it’s been quite a journey. If you’re thinking about making a big jump like this, here’s a little advice: get a strong network around you. I wouldn’t have made it without the people who supported me along the way.

Reflecting on it all, I wanted to share five key lessons I’ve picked up since those early days. These are the things that have helped me not just survive but thrive on this entrepreneurial path:

1. Family First

No matter how busy things get, family always comes first. Early on, it was all about work, work, and more work. And yeah, sometimes that’s just what it takes to get things going. But it’s not sustainable. When our first child was born, I realised I had to create something that worked for my family, not against them. After all, all the hard work I put in is for them, right? And a huge shout out to Sheriden, who has always been there, cheering me on.

2. Build Relationships

Every major step I’ve taken has come from building relationships. Connections open doors you didn’t even know existed. At first, I was just trying to keep my head above water, but then I started realising the power of relationships. I began going to networking events, which I initially dreaded, but they were worth it. I’ve made some lifelong friends from those events—big shoutout to Ben and Dean. (We’re working on something exciting together, so stay tuned!) Every relationship is a potential door, and at the very least, you’ll share some good laughs and coffee along the way.

3. Consume Less, Do More

We live in an age where everyone’s an expert on everything. Social media is flooded with gurus, hacks, and life advice, and sometimes it feels like you’re drowning in it. When I first started, I thought I had to follow all these routines I saw online—working 16 hours, no sleep, you know the type. But I found my own groove. Sometimes, you’ve got to drown out the noise. Sure, take advice, but you don’t have to take all of it. The biggest thing I’ve learned? Just do. Focus on taking action. Start, then pivot and adapt as you go. These days, I wake up early, but I also love a good afternoon nap if I’m working from home. Do what works for you, and forget about what the “experts” say.

4. Be Transparent

I’ve always believed that honesty is the best policy—it’s just part of who I am. I’m transparent with clients, partners, and my team. It helps set the right expectations and builds trust. And let’s be real: it saves a lot of time. Being upfront means people know exactly where they stand, and they respect that. Plus, it keeps me from having to remember what I told who—no more mental gymnastics!

5. Create Routines

Creating routines has been a game-changer, especially since becoming a father. Funny enough, I used to rebel against routines as a teenager, but now I absolutely love them. My day starts early—3:30 a.m. during the week and 4:30 a.m. on the weekends. This routine lets me hit the gym and get creative with content before the day even begins. It helps me avoid decision paralysis because I know what to expect each day. But listen, routines don’t have to be hardcore. They just have to work for you and your family. Find what suits your lifestyle, and stick to it. And if you miss a day? No big deal! You’re not competing with anyone else’s routine—just your own.

These are just my lessons from being an entrepreneur, but I think a lot of these apply to any part of life, not just business.

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Have a great week!

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