What I wish I knew before becoming an entrepreneur by Amarachi Kejeh, Owner of A.S.K. Amarachi Kejeh Starting a business is exciting! You get to be your own boss, follow your passion, and make a positive impact in the world. But after five years and three businesses, I have learned some tough lessons. If I could go back in time, here is what I would tell myself before jumping into entrepreneurship. 1. Less is more. When starting a business, it is easy to dream up a million ways to serve a million customers. But that can be a recipe for disaster! While it is great to be inspired by larger successful businesses with broad audiences, remember that you are still growing. Focus on serving a key group and meeting their top needs. Once you are profitable and have developed the capacity, you can expand. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day! 2. Charge what you are worth. This one can be tough, especially if you are young or in a small town. When I started my business, I did a lot of free or underpriced work, thinking it would help me attract customers. Instead, I ended up overworked and undervalued. If you do not believe in your worth, no one else will. Price your work fairly because the right customers will pay for quality. 3. Take your time hiring. As my businesses grew, I felt pressured to hire quickly just to lighten my workload. But a bad hire can cause even more stress. Take your time. Look for people with the right skills and values. Do not skip reference checks! It is better to wait for the right person than to fix the wrong choice later.
4. Pay yourself quickly. Your business is not a charity. There is an opportunity cost for your time and effort. No matter how passionate you are, if you do not take care of yourself, you cannot take care of your business. Start paying yourself as soon as possible, even if it is just a small amount. And be honest about your finances. If your business can not afford to pay you a living wage long-term, consider other ways to supplement your income. 5. Set boundaries with your time. If you are not careful, entrepreneurship can take over your life. And it does not just affect you — it affects your family, friends, and relationships. Burnout is real, and working nonstop does not mean you are being productive. Be realistic about your work hours, take breaks, and enjoy life outside your business. A well-rested entrepreneur makes better decisions, which leads to a more successful business! Being an entrepreneur is an incredible journey, full of challenges and rewards. If you are starting out, learn from my experience and give yourself grace along the way.
MC Business Technology provides St. Thomas & Area technology solutions specializing in cyber security, cloud computing, and VoIP telecommunications.
THE ICE BOX PRESENTS:
The Blooming Spring Market
519.913.3143 300 S Edgeware Rd, St. Thomas mctechconsulting.com
APRIL 26,27: 10AM-3PM
JOE THORNTON COMMUNITY CENTRE 85 VENDORS; MUSIC; DRINKS; FOOD ! WWW.THEICEBOX.CA
THE TURKEY SHOPPE Just North of Talbotville Horton Winter Market Saturdays 9am – 1pm Check our website for our Friday Features! Pick up one of our Heat & Serve meals! Turkey Makes Breakfast Tasier! Try our Turkey Bacon, Turkey Sausage Links & Patties. 10882 Sunset Rd.
Monday-Friday 9-5:30 Saturday 9-4
519-633-0527 www.turkeyshoppe. com
Hometown St. Thomas • March 2025 • Page 31
Get involved! Like us on Facebook!
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs