Have you ever wondered what it takes to run a successful business?

A little over three years ago, that’s exactly the question I was asking myself.

As an entrepreneur in the marketing space, I’ve had my fair share of ups and downs. I’ve learned that making mistakes is part of the journey.

I used to beat myself up for the mistakes I made, but now I see them as valuable lessons that have helped me grow and become a better business owner… #noshame!

Today, I’m pulling back the curtain on three major business mistakes I made along my journey of scaling my content agency from $0 to multiple 6 figures in revenue.

Believe it or not, these are common errors that many entrepreneurs make, so let’s dive in and learn from my mistakes so you can avoid them yourself.

P.S. if you want to hear more about the start of my business journey, check out Sixth Sense CEO Episode 1:

1) Mismanaging Work-Life Balance

Oh my goodness, where do I even begin?

When I first started my business, I thought success meant working around the clock.

I’d wake up at dawn, power through the day, and often find myself still at my desk well past midnight. .. yeah. RIP my sleep schedule.

This relentless pace seemed necessary to get my company off the ground.

But little did I know, I was heading straight for burnout—and there would be lots of tears along the way.

Entrepreneurs often fall into this trap. We’re passionate about our ideas and willing to sacrifice everything to make them a reality.

However, this approach is unsustainable and can lead to serious consequences for our wellbeing and (shocker) also the success of our businesses.

My Personal Struggle

As I continued to spiral deeper into this hustle culture, I found myself relying on alcohol to keep me awake during those late-night work sessions.

It became a crutch.

I would often chug energy drinks throughout the day, trying to sustain my relentless drive.

With my focus solely on work, I began skipping workouts, which were once a stress reliever for me, and even missed out on precious time with friends.

I noticed that even during family gatherings, instead of being present, my mind would wander back to deadlines and unfinished projects.

I would work through holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving, with my laptop always by my side, making it clear that my dedication had turned into an obsession.

And guess what? My lack of boundaries was one of the biggest factors that contributed to my previous breakup with my ex (a little over 2 years ago). I think he felt like I loved my business more than I loved him.

Looking back, it felt a little sad—my world was narrowing down to a screen, and I was missing out on the moments that truly mattered.

Strategies for Maintaining Balance

Learning from this experience, I’ve developed some strategies to maintain a healthier work-life balance:

1. Set clear boundaries: I now have strict “off” hours where I don’t check emails or take work calls.
2. Prioritize self-care: Regular exercise, journaling, and 8+ hours of sleep have become non-negotiable parts of my routine.
3. Delegate and trust: I’ve learned to build a reliable team and trust them with important tasks.
4. Schedule personal time: I block out time for family, friends, and hobbies just as I would for important meetings.
5. Regular check-ins: I frequently assess my stress levels and make adjustments as needed… remember, routines aren’t set in stone. You’re allowed to change them to support different stages of your life.

By implementing these strategies, I’ve not only improved my quality of life but also enhanced my productivity and creativity at work.

A balanced entrepreneur is a successful entrepreneur.

Don’t make the same mistake I did—prioritize your well-being from the start.

2) Chasing Trends Instead of Solving Problems

In my early days as an entrepreneur, I was like a kid in a candy store, constantly drawn to the latest marketing trends, tools, and platforms.

I was convinced that if I could just master the latest trend, my business would skyrocket to success.

But what I failed to realize is that chasing after trends without a solid foundation and clear goals in place is just a waste of time and resources.

How I Got Sidetracked

In my eagerness to grow, I made several unwise investments that turned out to be costly mistakes.

I was so focused on expanding my offerings that I tried to provide a million different services to cover all bases.

I thought that the more options I had, the more clients I would attract.

Unfortunately, this scattered approach only diluted my brand and overwhelmed my potential clients… they were like, “What exactly do you do again?”

In my quest to scale quickly, I brought on a team without providing them with the proper training or resources needed to succeed. I believed that hiring more hands would solve my problems, but instead, it led to confusion and frustration within the team.

I felt overwhelmed by the complexity of what I had created.

I thought I had to handle everything myself while managing a team that wanted to help, but they weren’t clear on the processes to follow… because I had NEVER established them. (I can laugh about it now because it’s over, but it was no laughing matter at the time.)

Recognizing these patterns was crucial for me, and I’ve since learned the importance of strategic growth, clarity in my offerings, and investing in my team’s development.

Focusing on Value Creation

Now, I’ve done a complete 180 when it comes to crafting my offerings! I make sure they’re irresistibly aligned with what the market craves and what my clients truly desire.

I spend quality time getting to know my audience, diving deep into their pain points and passions, which lets me tailor my services to hit all the right notes.

By zeroing in on the solutions that really resonate, I can serve up value that not only pulls in new clients but also keeps my existing ones happy.

Instead of jumping at every shiny opportunity, I focus on the ventures that I can comfortably scale with my existing resources.

This approach keeps overwhelming chaos at bay and ensures that each project gets the love and attention it deserves, boosting both my productivity and my clients’ happiness.

I’m always on the hunt for fresh and innovative ways to grow my offerings, all while keeping a manageable and strategic workload. After all, sustainable growth is the name of the game!

3) Underinvesting in Marketing and Branding

When I first started my business, I thought my services were so great that they’d sell themselves… and that’s pretty sad to admit as a marketing professional. Boy, was I wrong!

I quickly learned that even the best products and services need strong marketing to succeed.

Marketing isn’t just about selling. It’s about connecting with your audience and showing them how your product or service can improve their lives.

My Marketing Oversights

In my early days, I avoided investing in marketing and branding because I saw them as unnecessary expenses.

I thought that if I just put my services out there, people would naturally find me and hire me.

But without a strong brand or consistent marketing efforts, I was easily lost in the sea of other entrepreneurs offering similar services.

Despite eventually recognizing the value of inbound marketing, I quickly realized that my efforts were in vain due to my lack of consistency. I would sporadically create content or engage with my audience, but without a regular schedule or a clear strategy, my messages got drowned out in the noise.

It’s like planting seeds without watering them—occasional posts wouldn’t sustain the growth I needed.

Developing a Strong Marketing Strategy

After learning from my mistakes, I’ve developed a more effective approach to marketing:

1. Invest in professional branding: A cohesive brand identity helps build trust and recognition. One of my super talented art director friends from school designed my company logo. I don’t think I’ll ever change it, either!
2. Create a content marketing plan: Regular, valuable content keeps your audience engaged and positions you as an expert in your field.
3. Leverage social media: It’s a cost-effective way to reach and interact with your target audience.
4. Set aside a marketing budget: Treat marketing as an investment, not an expense.
5. Track and analyze results: Use data to refine your strategies and improve ROI. When a piece of content does well, repurpose it and use the same idea again!

Marketing isn’t just about spending money. It’s about spending it wisely.

Start small if you need to, but make sure you’re consistently putting effort into promoting your business. Your services might be amazing, but if no one knows about them, you won’t succeed.

Don’t make the same mistake I did. Prioritize marketing from Day 1.

Register for My Free Training: Become a Freelance Marketer and Travel the World!

Remember those business mistakes I talked about earlier? Well, they taught me some valuable lessons, and now I want to pass that knowledge on to you.

That’s why I’m thrilled to invite you to my free training session:

Become a Freelance Marketer and Travel the World!

In this training, I’ll show you how to turn your marketing skills into a thriving freelance business that you can run from anywhere in the world.

Don’t let fear or self-doubt hold you back. Whether you’re a marketing pro looking for more freedom, or a complete beginner with a passion for travel, this training is for you. I’ll show you that with the right mindset and strategies, anyone can build a successful freelance marketing career.

Ready to take the first step toward your dream life? Enter your name and email address below to access the free on-demand training.

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