My Biggest Mistakes as a Business Owner

No one talks enough about the mistakes, only the wins. But if I’m being honest, my biggest growth as a business owner didn’t come from what I did right. It came from what I did wrong.

One of my earliest mistakes was trying to do everything myself. I thought being a good owner meant being involved in every detail, every decision, every problem. What it actually did was slow growth, create burnout, and keep me stuck in the weeds instead of leading. Learning to delegate and trust others didn’t happen overnight, but it changed everything.

Another mistake was waiting too long to make hard decisions with people, systems, and direction. I told myself things would “work themselves out,” when deep down I already knew the answer. Avoiding discomfort only made situations more expensive emotionally, mentally, and financially. Clarity always comes faster when you’re willing to act.

I also underestimated the importance of systems and consistency early on. I relied too much on motivation instead of structure. Motivation fades. Systems carry you when you’re tired, overwhelmed, or unsure. Once I learned that discipline beats inspiration every time, business became more sustainable.

One of the hardest lessons was realizing that growth costs something. Time. Comfort. Certainty. Relationships. There were moments I questioned myself constantly and days when belief was the only thing I had enough of. I thought success would feel cleaner. It doesn’t. It’s messy and uncomfortable, but worth it.

And maybe the biggest mistake of all? Thinking I had to have it all figured out before starting. You don’t. You learn by doing. You earn confidence through repetition, not perfection.

If you’re building something and feeling behind, overwhelmed, or unsure, you’re not failing. You’re learning. Mistakes don’t disqualify you from success. They’re part of the process.

I didn’t grow despite my mistakes. I grew because of them.

And I’d do it all again. And, always, thank you for the support!

-M