Today I am going to share a few things that I wish more people had talked to me about before I started my business. This will be really helpful if you are just starting to venture into your own business. If you are a longtime business owner reading this, I would love to hear things you wish people had told you about owning a biz in the comments below.

Alright, before I dive into everything I wish I had known, I want to preface this by saying I hope that none of these reasons deter you from starting a business. I absolutely LOVE my job but just like any job there are things that are difficult and annoying and not every day is sunshine and rainbows, but most days a pretty freakin’ awesome. Every business is different and your experience will be unique and filled with so much goodness, even with the tough stuff…

4 Things No One Ever Tells You About Owning a Biz

Taxes: Seriously, if there is one thing I could tell people just starting out, it’s to pay your taxes quarterly and set aside more than you think you’ll need. I am still getting the hang of taxes and probably will be for a little while but I work closely with an accountant to predict how much I will owe each year and how much to be paid out quarterly. If you are used to getting a paycheck and having taxes pulled on your behalf, this is a big adjustment. I highly recommend working with a professional and reading this book right away. I knew taxes would be a thing but didn’t know they’d be a thing I think about so much. I could go on and on about how much I hate figuring out taxes, but I will spare you. 

Boredom: I never thought I would say this, but sometimes I get bored, even doing the work I love. I know that sounds crazy but after a year or two, you may notice some monotony in your work. Things like monthly invoicing, changing passwords regularly, responding to every email, etc. You will get bored and that is okay. In fact, I think you should embrace it because it might mean you are in a good rhythm

How many times you’ll overthink: If you weren’t an overthinker before you started your business, you will be now. You will question if you are doing the “right” thing, or if you “should have” done something different, or you will replan a product your launch strategy five times. Overthinking is normal because the truth is there is no rule book or guide on exactly how to run your business. Sure, there are great examples and resources but you and your business are unique and you need to do what’s best for you. 

All the learning: I bet you didn’t expect to spend nights on Youtube looking up how to use Pinterest, or taking a course about money mindset, or learning how to become a “graphic designer” by using Canva.com. You are going to be constantly learning and innovating and it can be fun and exciting as well as exhausting. Don’t be afraid to take breaks and hire experts when needed.

These things surprised me and it’s important for us to share what we know, what we wish we had known and what we hope to learn in the future. It’s how we lift each other up and grow.