8 Lessons I’ve Learned in 8 Years of Business

Starting a handmade business is no small feat. It’s a whirlwind of creativity, challenges, and constantly adapting. After eight years in the business, I’ve experienced every twist and turn—it’s been hard, enlightening, and incredibly rewarding. 

Each challenge taught me something valuable, and today, I’m sharing those lessons with you. Whether you’re just starting your handmade business or you’re a few years in, I hope these insights inspire and encourage you. 

Lesson 1: Focus Beats Busyness 

It’s easy to confuse busywork with productivity. Early on, I believed that multitasking was my superpower—I thought juggling several tasks at once made me more productive. Spoiler alert: It didn’t. Instead, I found myself with countless half-done tasks and little actual progress. 

Now, I focus on completing a few key priorities each day. Batching similar tasks together is a game changer. It helps eliminate distractions and keeps me in the zone. 

The lesson? It’s not about how much you do; it’s about doing the right things well. 

Lesson 2: Adapt and Reassess When Plans Don’t Work 

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that business plans rarely unfold as expected. This year, I faced a major setback when my usual hiring strategy hit a wall. When several employees left simultaneously, my go-to methods yielded no results, and I started to panic. 

Instead of giving up, I pivoted. I placed ads on Indeed and ran targeted campaigns on Facebook. That plan worked, and I ended up hiring three amazing team members. 

What I learned is simple but powerful—when a plan fails, it’s not a dead end. Adjust, innovate, and try again. 

Lesson 3: Say ‘Heck Yes’ or ‘Heck No’ 

At the start of my business, I chased every opportunity. Wholesale offers? Yes. Collaborations? Yes. New products? Always yes. At first, it was thrilling—then came the burnout. 

I realized I couldn’t say yes to everything and still grow sustainably. Now, I focus on what aligns with my business goals. If a new opportunity isn’t a clear, enthusiastic “heck yes,” it’s a firm “heck no.” 

Protect your energy, and save it for the things that matter most to you and your brand. 

Lesson 4: Treat Your Business Like a Business 

For years, I dreaded tax season. I avoided bookkeeping and only looked at my numbers when absolutely necessary, which caused so much stress and anxiety.

Then I heard Jennifer Allwood say, “If you treat your business like a hobby, it will pay you like a hobby.” That hit me like a ton of bricks.. 

I started tracking costs, separated personal and business accounts, and hired professionals for bookkeeping and taxes. The peace of mind was worth every dollar. 

Want to grow a successful handmade business? Handle your finances like a pro—even if it’s not your favorite task. 

Lesson 5: Fail Fast, Learn Faster 

Failure used to scare me. Now, I see it as a stepping stone to success. Failing is part of trying and growing; every stumble has taught me something valuable. 

The important part is failing fast—learn what didn’t work and adapt quickly. Each failure takes you one step closer to success. 

Remember, every successful entrepreneur has failed countless times. It’s not a reflection of you. It’s just part of the process. 

Lesson 6: Connection Requires Courage 

As an introvert, I’m happiest alone with my thoughts. After being bullied in high school, I’ve also struggled with vulnerability—it’s hard for me to let people see the real me. Add in my dislike of being photographed or on video, and showing up online as a small business owner felt like climbing a mountain.

But here’s the thing—genuine connections are the foundation of your business. Your customers want to know you. Your peers can become your biggest champions and collaborators. 

I’ve learned to take baby steps. Start small. Share a little about yourself here and there. Try going live on social media—grab a friend for support if it helps.

The same applies to building business friendships. Having people who understand your struggles and celebrate your wins is so important. But to make those connections, you have to step out of your comfort zone and let people get to know you. It’s scary, but the payoff is worth it.

Lesson 7: Let Go to Grow 

Delegating felt impossible when I first started. I thought everything in my business had to be done by me—after all, I knew my brand best. 

Boy, was I wrong. 

The truth is, letting go of certain tasks isn’t a loss—it’s an opportunity to grow. When I hired and delegated tasks I gained more time to focus on high-impact work.

Dan Martell said it best in Buy Back Your Time: “80% done by someone else is 100% freaking awesome!” That quote changed my perspective. When you hire help, the goal is to free up your time for revenue-generating tasks. Done right, the time saved can multiply the impact of the new hire’s salary by three, five, or even ten times. 

Lesson 8: Keep Climbing 

The path to success is like climbing a mountain, except you have no idea when or where the peak will appear. It can feel like you’re climbing endlessly, without seeing much progress.

But here’s the thing I’ve learned—the peak could be one step away. Every small action you take matters. Every new product you launch, every post you share, every connection you make pushes you closer to your goal—even if progress feels slow. 

Keep climbing. The view is worth it. 

Your Next Step 

These lessons have shaped my handmade business into what it is today. And through every twist and turn, I’ve realized that success isn’t about luck—it’s the result of consistent, intentional action. 

Which lesson resonates with you most? Or better yet, what have you learned in your business journey? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. 

If you’re ready to take your handmade business to the next level, get the juiciest tips and ideas straight to your inbox. You’re just getting started, and the best is yet to come.