10 Lessons From a Decade of Entrepreneurship
In 2013, I took a leap into entrepreneurship — a somewhat daring move that has defined the past decade. As I celebrate my 10th year in business, it’s amazing to reflect on where the journey has brought me.
Professionally, this year has been one to remember. We completed some of our biggest projects to date and have booked a few new ones that I can’t wait to share with you in the new year. Plus, the book that I’m honored to be a part of, Remarkable, has become an Amazon bestseller — cheers to that!
On a more personal note, the arrival of our sweet baby Archie this spring prompted a 3-month break to devote my time to our family. Navigating tough decisions to pause projects and turn down new opportunities was challenging, but the precious time with him made all these decisions more than worthwhile.
These 10 years of entrepreneurship have had no shortage of lessons (some more challenging than others), but I can confidently say that it has been undoubtedly one of the most rewarding journeys. Hoping these insights inspire you, I’m sharing 10 lessons I’ve learned from a decade as a business owner. Some of them may surprise you…
1. Prepare to wear allll the hats.
There are many moving parts in entrepreneurship, and I’m not sure I fully realized how stretched thin I would be in the beginning. In those early days, I wore every hat imaginable — marketing, bookkeeping, scheduling — you name it. To say it was a lot to learn and keep track of is an understatement! Some advice from the other side of things? While it’s a lot of work upfront, it’s worth it in the long run.
2. Ask for help!
As you can imagine, I got used to doing everything by myself. Honestly, it was comforting to know for certain that every T was crossed I was dotted. But eventually, there came a time when I knew that I needed to ask for help in order for my business to grow.
Releasing myself from some responsibilities was a tough one for me, but I can honestly say that it was something that contributed to soo much positive progress. And now? I can’t imagine my business without my incredible team.
3. Implementing smart systems is key.
The design process can have bumps along the way, but I’ve always tried to make it as straightforward as possible for my clients. I’ve learned over time that I could simplify things for myself, too. How? By integrating systems into my routines. And guess what? While the systems have helped streamline my side of things, they’ve also created an even smoother process for the client-facing side. Always a win-win!
4. Seek & build a community of like-minded peers.
In the day-to-day hustle, it’s tempting to burrow into your work and keep your blinders on (been there!). However, years ago, I stepped out of my comfort zone and joined a local group called Business Women’s Circle. Grateful is an understatement — it’s an amazing space for personal and professional support while learning alongside fellow female entrepreneurs. Discovering a supportive community is a game-changer in the small business owner’s playbook.
5. Release the perfectionism.
Truth is — nobody is perfect, and no one’s entrepreneurship journey is perfect. When I first started out, I was obsessed with everything being perfect 100% of the time. Surprise, surprise…I quickly became exhausted and realized that mindset wasn’t realistic (or helpful). Instead, I set clear boundaries and give myself grace along the way. What a world of difference it has made!
6. Hold your plans loosely.
Experience has taught me that it’s not a matter of if something will go wrong but when. Mistakes happen, products get discontinued, or things come in damaged — it’s all part of the process. Over the years, I’ve learned a lot about handling these issues when (or before) they arise and supporting clients in coming to a creative solution. Embracing flexibility and maintaining a positive attitude goes a long way.
7. Work smarter, not harder.
When I started, I held tightly onto the theory that lots of hard work would eventually make things easier. In a way it did, but as my business continued to grow and we took on larger challenges, I realized how important it was to stop and think about the most efficient way to move forward. That might mean investing in new software, learning a different way of doing things, or hiring specialized team members. Trust me, this mindset is critical when you’re playing the long game.
8. Embrace your leadership skills.
I’ll admit that this is still something I’m working on, but man, I’ve come a long way! I used to think it was easier to do everything myself than to teach someone else how to do it. That, my friends, is a recipe for frustration and burnout.
I learned that taking the time to teach someone a new skill will pay off exponentially in the long run, and now I get excited about delegating and watching my team take over my former tasks. Whether being a leader comes naturally to you or not, working towards developing and embracing these skills will only help your business progress.
9. Be mindful of your time management.
Every single day, I’m faced with the decision of how to spend my time. Obviously, I’d love to just design projects and meet with clients every day, but then the emails would never get answered, my team wouldn’t be supported on their tasks, my bills would never get paid…you get the idea. Finding the right balance of where and when to spend your time is tricky.
My best advice? Do what works best for you and your routine. Make notes of how and when you work best and take advantage. After all, that’s the beauty of being your own boss.
10. Celebrate your wins!
Who doesn’t love celebrating?! When you don’t take the time to stop and reflect on your wins, they tend to pass you by as you make moves onto the next big project. It’s an ongoing goal for me to take time to reflect on the moments and celebrate each milestone. I’ve learned that recognizing career achievements is an important way to reinforce the vision and goals for my business — it’s absolutely worth the time.
Looking ahead…
While I don’t know what the next decade has in store for us, it’s all about maintaining a growth mindset. That said, I’m looking ahead and setting goals for the future of Laura Engen Interior Design. Some of these include deepening our relationship with repeat clients, widening our focus to take on more large-scale projects, and getting our work published in a magazine. So much to look forward to!
These 10 years have been a dream — yes, filled with hard work — but I wouldn’t change a thing. I’m so grateful that you are willing to welcome us into your home, trust us with your investment, and allow our incredible team to bring your vision of home to life.
