5 Things I Didn’t Know About Starting a Business (But Started Anyway)

OK, so just between you and me - I am so super impatient. Or maybe it's over-excitement, I don't know... but once I have an idea, I just need to start. Sometimes this approach isn’t always the best (the instruction manual is indeed there for a reason). But business-wise, it works pretty well. Because if I had waited until I “knew enough,” I’d still be waiting.

Seriously. When I was starting my business, I didn’t know anything about logistics, B2B or even what an entrepreneur actually does. But I was so excited about my business that, with the wise words of Elle Woods (Legally Blonde) as my mantra - 'What, like, it’s hard?' I went all in.

So here’s what I didn’t know—but went for it anyway:

1. I Didn’t Know Anything About Manufacturing & Logistics

Like, zero. Nada. I had to be upfront about my lack of knowledge and just ask people to explain everything to me. It felt tricky because it could put me in a weak position, but I had no other option. Lucky for me, most people were actually willing to help and even gave me documentation from other brands so I could learn. Of course, I never copied - only learned. That was part of the deal because, well… sharing confidential material was of course a little bit cheeky.

2. I Didn’t Know All the Details of My Business Straight from the Start

I never made an 80-page, detailed business plan. Okay, so I have to be honest - this was mostly because I didn’t know how to make one and was too lazy to find out. But I felt comfortable without it because I thought, Well, what’s the worst that could happen anyway? Plus, I figured diving straight into the nitty-gritty would be useless since I had no clue how most things worked anyway. So I had a little plan—nothing fancy, just the big lines—and I’d sort out the rest on the way.

3. I Didn’t Know Anything About B2B

Every brand has stockists, so obviously, I wanted that too. But, of course, I had no clue how any of it worked. What the right margins were, deadlines, contracts… the whole shebang. And when I did figure it out, I was too damn proud to accept the margins they were asking for. So instead, I focused on my own webshop first and only worked with stores that were willing to meet me halfway. That extra time gave me space to learn the game on my own terms - what worked, what didn’t, and what I actually needed.

4. I Didn’t Know Anything About Building an Online Business

I used to look at other brands with their gorgeous offices, professional shoots, and milestone after milestone. Meanwhile, I was in my home office, covered in baby drool, crafting cardboard backdrops for "fancy" photoshoots in my kitchen. I couldn’t wait to look more professional too! But until that time, I had to show my not-so-fancy reality. And in the end, that became my biggest win. People loved the transparency and the ‘keeping it real’ vibe - which I now believe is THE way to build an online business.

5. I Didn’t Know Anything About Being an Entrepreneur

I also had no idea what an entrepreneur actually does. I started my first online business around the same time I became a first-time mom, and honestly? It felt the same. Every time you think you’ve got it figured out, things change, new problems pop up, and suddenly, you’re back at square one. Over the years, you get more advanced - sure. But hey, nobody knew how to entrepreneur when the pandemic hit, right? In the end, to entrepreneur is basically just going with the flow.

So There You Have It!

5 Things I hadn't figured out yet but started anyway. Now, I can imagine you might not be entirely sure about my impatient/over-excited approach. And I agree, I mean, this side of me has gotten me into a lot of trouble too. But this is what it's all about: you'll never be fully ready. And you don't have to be. Because that's not what entrepreneurship is about! It's not about knowing it all and having all the answers straight off the bat. Entrepreneurship is about flexibility and trusting that you're capable of handling every situation, no matter what. And with that mindset, you'll always be ready to take the first step.