Hello lovely readers, welcome to White Rabbit Skincare.
I’m Melanie and today I cannot believe I am celebrating FIVE years in business! I really do not know where the time has gone. I sit here writing this feeling a little emotional thinking about all of the lessons I’ve learned, the mistakes I’ve made and the people I’ve met over the last 5 years.
Celebrating 5 years of White Rabbit Skincare is a huge milestone for me and that’s why I want to personally share the 5 key lessons I have learned along the way. I hope that these can help you along the road somewhere too:
- It’s ok to say ‘no’ sometimes, and focus on your personal happiness
This was a hard lesson to learn – and still is! There were many times – especially in the outset - when I was discouraged by how slowly my business was progressing (or how slowly I felt it was progressing). During the daily operations of my business, I’d think, “Ugh! I should have accomplished X by now!” and I was putting these added pressures on myself, as well as comparing myself to others.
I have started focusing more on my personal overall happiness as a PERSON, rather than an entrepreneur and then I realized, I much prefer the happiness as an individual.
- We all have our own versions of success.
To most (myself included initially) success means earning lots of money. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this – and it still forms a big part of my ‘grand plan’, but whatever your version of success is– define it clearly and build your business plans and goals around that success mission.
- If something is crucial to the growth of your business, and It’s not your strong point – outsource it.
It’s a fine line though – don’t outsource everything! Try to do it yourself first and if you truly fail at it, outsource it. Don’t be lazy and outsource – try to figure it out yourself and then get in touch with people whose strong points are your weak areas.
This is a lesson for beginning entrepreneurs and startups – if you’re in a different financial position and farther along in your business and have the resources to invest, do it!
- Your authenticity is an asset
If you’ve worked in a corporate environment or survived a toxic workplace, then you may have felt the pressure to hide your true self at work. As I learned, though, the reverse is true when you become self-employed. You are literally selling yourself and the value that only you can offer the world. Therefore, you’re incentivized to be as authentic as possible, getting real with yourself about what matters most to you and leaning into your true identity.
- YOU CAN DO IT
Starting out on your own is a huge personal risk. If you’ve ever struggled with imposter syndrome, well, that little voice in your head telling you you’re not talented or qualified enough is probably fuming with indignation that you would have the audacity to even contemplate such a thing. But that little voice, ironically, doesn’t know what it’s talking about. You can do it.