Million Dollar Advice: 10 Lessons That Took Me a Decade in Business to Learn

PodcastLeadership

Feb 19

Episode 928: Show Notes

There’s no such thing as a right or wrong decision, especially in business. Hitting 10 years in business feels so surreal, and I’ve learned SO much along the way! Today, I share the biggest lessons I’ve learned over the past decade, the ones I really wish someone had told me when I was starting out. From making tough calls to leaning into my strengths, I’ve picked up some game-changing insights that have shaped not just my business, but my entire life.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, second-guessed yourself, or wondered if you’re cut out for this whole business thing, trust me, I’ve been there! I get real about the highs, the lows, and the moments that changed everything for me. I talk about how I stopped obsessing over making the “perfect” choice, why I stopped listening to people who didn’t get it, and why celebrating myself had to become a priority.

Whether you’re building a business, a creative project, or just a life you love, this episode is packed with real talk, honest reflections, and hard-earned lessons to help set you up for something WAY bigger than you ever imagined. Let’s dive in!

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#1 You’re Capable of More Than You Think

We tend to overestimate what we can do in a short period of time, but dramatically underestimate what we can do in a lifetime. Looking back, I had no idea what I was capable of! Just last year, my team and I created 12 brand-new programs, relaunched four more, and added 95 new templates to The Co-Op membership, all while working a four-day week. Ten years ago, I never could’ve imagined this. But here’s the thing: I didn’t have it all figured out back then, and you don’t have to either. You just have to start. You're not going to know every step, but you can put yourself on a trajectory for greatness.

#2 There’s No Such Thing as a Right or Wrong Decision

For years, I put so much pressure on myself to make the “right” decisions, especially when it came to big, life-changing stuff. My struggles with infertility taught me a lot about that. I kept waiting for some kind of sign that I was making the correct choice, but the truth is, there’s rarely a single right path. I finally let go of the idea that I had to have it all figured out. Business, like life, is about trying things, seeing what works, and being willing to pivot. The businesses that tend to be more successful make more decisions more quickly. The key is to keep moving (and trust your intuition).

#3 Not Everyone’s Advice Is Worth Taking

People are going to offer you advice, even if you do not ask for it. Over the years, I’ve spent way too much money (I’m talking tens of thousands of dollars) on coaching and advice that didn’t actually fit me or my business. It took me a long time to realize that just because someone is successful for them, it doesn’t mean their way will work for me. I’ve learned to be really intentional about whose advice I take. If someone’s living the kind of life I want, I’ll listen. But if they’re miserable or building something that doesn’t align with my values? No thanks!

#4 Lean Into What Comes Naturally

Your gifts are the things that often feel the most effortless, and it's incredibly easy to undervalue them when they come so naturally. For the longest time, I thought business had to be hard; that if something came easily to me, it must not be valuable. But that’s just not true! Some things get to be easy because you are excellent at them. I'm not saying it won't have challenges, but the more you spend time digging into the things that are effortless, the easier it all becomes.

#5 Sharpen Your Strengths, Not Your Weaknesses

Recently, I did an exercise where I had to write the phrase, “I use my strengths every day,” three times with my non-dominant hand. It felt like it took forever! But when I switched back to my dominant hand, the entire exercise took less than 15 seconds. Think of this as an illustration for improving your weaknesses. Could they one day be as strong as your strengths? If you’re super dedicated, maybe. But when you force yourself to improve in areas where you naturally struggle, it’s slow, frustrating, and inefficient. When you use your strengths, you're powerful!

#6 Hard Seasons Will Come, But You Can Get Through Them

Running a business isn’t always fun. Life happens. Burnout happens. Self-doubt creeps in. But I’ve learned that no matter how tough things get, there are really only two ways a business fails: You run out of cash, or you give up. Even when money is tight, there’s always a way to get creative. But giving up? That’s the only decision that truly shuts everything down. If you never give up, this can support you for the rest of your career.

#7 Feedback Isn’t a Personal Attack

When you perform a one-on-one service or deliver a course or a program and someone says they didn't like their experience, it can hurt. But if someone felt safe enough to share their opinion with you, it's up to you to find ways to improve from it. Not every opinion deserves space in your head! Take the information in, sift through the negative comments, projections, and personal opinions, and find opportunities to elevate the experience for everyone.

#8 Two Things Can Be True at Once

Life isn’t black and white. You can be wildly excited about something and still feel sad and scared. You can be grateful for your business and frustrated with certain parts of it. For the longest time, I felt like I had to pick one feeling, but I’ve learned to hold space for both. I used to think everyone else had their emotions figured out. The truth is, we’re all just making it up as we go. You get to be complicated. And what an incredible gift it is that other people can be complicated right next to you! Allow yourself to be complex rather than trying to boil yourself down to one emotion, one way to be, or one way to show up

#9 No One Will Celebrate You Unless You Celebrate Yourself

Do you think anyone is going to throw a party for me being in business for 10 years? No one even knows the anniversary date! I used to downplay my achievements, thinking I’d seem arrogant or full of myself. But I’ve realized that if I don’t celebrate my wins, no one else will. Sure, if you’re trying to make someone else feel bad about themselves by bragging about your achievements, that’s no good. But if you're proud of yourself, if you want to inspire other people, if you hit a milestone that you’re excited about, don't hold back. Don't shut up about it! People want to be around others who are excited about their lives.

#10 Building a Business Doesn’t Have to Be Lonely

Working online is only as lonely as you make it. For years, I felt isolated, like no one really got what I was going through. But then I started reaching out; commenting on posts, DMing people, joining communities. And suddenly, I had real friendships. Online friends are just as real as in-person ones. Some of the people I talk to every day, I’ve never even met in person, but they get my world in a way that most people don’t because they also work online, work for themselves, and run their own businesses

At the end of the day, this business, this life, is what I make of it. No one is going to hand me success. If I want growth, connection, and freedom, I have to put in the effort. That’s why I built the Co-Op. It’s not just a resource library. It’s also a place for real connection and real support! If you’re feeling stuck or just want to be surrounded by people who get it, come join us!