Let’s start with this: becoming self-employed was the best decision I ever made 🚀. After working for an employer for 6.5 years, I was looking for a new challenge and wanted to explore different aspects of entrepreneurship. But what I discovered is that it can be a real minefield 💥!

You know the predictions of exponential growth 📈. But behind those numbers lie not only opportunities but also the pitfalls every entrepreneur encounters. That’s why, after 8.5 years, I want to take a moment to reflect. Because standing still is part of any growth process, and yes—I’ve made plenty of “mistakes” that now make me think: how was that even possible? 🤔

The biggest mistake I made? "Less is more." Sounds familiar, right? As a company, you want to grow, but that often comes at the cost of focus. Entrepreneurs are often driven by opportunity, and while that can be necessary, it comes at a price! By not specializing, I fell into extra traps. It’s tempting to start new initiatives, but losing focus has a direct impact on your entire business. You end up juggling too many things at once.

One key lesson I’ve learned: if you do start new initiatives, place them in a separate entity. Don’t create a second division within your existing structure. It helps keep everything clear and prevents you from losing focus. Plus, it ensures your existing business isn’t negatively affected—because not everything is a success!

A good example is our data platform for the mid-market, designed to consolidate requests. The technology was promising because many mid-market companies struggle with intermediary platforms. The market was ready, but one crucial factor held us back: we needed cooperation from these platforms. Unfortunately, they refused to share data, believing the existing channels were sufficient and that our solution didn’t add value for their end customers.

This experience taught me that not every opportunity turns into a success, and sometimes, it’s better to let go. Reality often plays out differently than expected. But this wasn’t a failure—it was a valuable lesson. Don’t see failures as negatives, but as opportunities to grow your knowledge and experience.

One of the hardest things for me was letting go of control. True growth happens when you trust your team and give them responsibility 🙌. Only when I did that did new ideas 💡, innovative solutions, and better team dynamics 🤝 emerge.

Also important: take care of yourself. We can’t always keep going without taking a breath 🌬️. Make time to disconnect—whether through meditation, running, or simply living in the moment. Entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint 🏃‍♂️. Those moments of rest give you the energy to go full speed ahead the next day ⚡.

Entrepreneurship also means maintaining your network—grabbing lunch or a drink with clients or partners. But let’s be honest, that doesn’t always help your physical health. In my case, I’ve gained 20 kilos over the past eight years, which I’m now slowly working off. Not with a specific goal like running a marathon—just working towards a healthy mind in a healthy body!

Celebrating big moments is important, but don’t forget the small steps 🚶‍♂️. Recognize the smaller victories 🏅, no matter how small they seem, because in the long run, they’re just as crucial for your team’s motivation and growth 👥. A company is only as strong as the people working in it. As an entrepreneur, you need your team just as much as they need your inspiration and vision 🌟.

There are many examples of inspiring leaders. Think of someone like Elon Musk. For many, he’s the reason they work for him, despite the love-hate relationship some employees have with him. Inspiring leaders don’t just drive growth; they create opportunities for their people.

It’s crucial to retain talent because recruiting new talent is expensive and time-consuming ⏳💰. You want to help the people already on your team grow so they want to continue building alongside you 🏗️.

The journey of entrepreneurship is full of lessons, challenges, and discoveries 🌍. Mistakes and problems ultimately make you richer and expand your knowledge. So instead of fearing them, embrace them as opportunities 💡 and turn them into advantages!

What are your biggest insights as an entrepreneur? 🤔

I’d love to hear your experiences!