28: Lessons Learned from a Failed Business
Heather shares her personal journey of starting her first online business, a budget blog called Happy Humble Home, which ultimately did not achieve the level of success she had hoped for.
She reflects on the lessons she learned from that experience and how it shaped her approach to building her current business, Kindergarten Ready. Heather emphasizes the importance of focusing on products, growing an email list, and taking imperfect action.
She also provides encouragement to learn from past failures and never be afraid to try again if something didn’t work the first time!
Key Takeaways:
- (03:35) Heather’s background as a teacher
- (06:05) Leaving the classroom and starting a blog
- (08:45) Stuck in perfectionism and not taking imperfect action
- (11:25) Lessons learned from her first business experience
- (13:05) Transitioning to the Kindergarten Ready business
- (15:00) Focusing on products and growing an email list
- (16:45) Learning to do more of what works and less of what doesn’t
- (19:05) Advice to keep trying and not be afraid to start again
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Failing Forward: How a Failed Blog Paved the Way for a Successful Online Business
In this episode, Heather shares the raw, behind-the-scenes story of her very first online business. It’s a tale of challenges, setbacks, and eventually, triumph. From a failed blog to a thriving business, Heather bares it all and offers valuable insights for anyone looking to start their own teacher biz.
Embarking on the Online Business Journey
Heather candidly unveils how she was initially captivated by the idea of starting her own online business, seeking an escape from the constraints of traditional teaching and longing for a more fulfilling career path.
Like many aspiring entrepreneurs, Heather was drawn to the allure of working from home and the limitless potential of the internet. However, her expectations collided with reality as she faced the challenges of kickstarting her first online venture.
Learning from Initial Setbacks
Heather pulls back the curtain on her first business, a budget blog called Happy Humble Home, recounting the struggle to monetize her content through ads and affiliate marketing.
She openly admits that despite her efforts, the blog failed to generate substantial income, prompting her to reevaluate her approach to online business.
Heather reflects on a crucial lesson learned, emphasizing the significance of creating and selling products as a pivotal factor in building a profitable online enterprise.
Overcoming Perfectionism
Heather also delves into her tendency to fixate on perfectionism, a characteristic that hindered her ability to progress in the online business realm.
She acknowledges her past obsession with refining blog posts and striving for perfection, resulting in a prolonged state of stagnation.
However, she discloses how she eventually mastered the art of taking imperfect action, a pivotal shift that propelled her toward greater success with her subsequent ventures.
Transitioning from Failure to Triumph
While setbacks may have dampened Heather’s first foray into online entrepreneurship, the experience charted her course toward creating a thriving business.
She recounts the pivotal decision to pivot her focus to products and building a dedicated email list, pivotal strategies that catalyzed the success of her subsequent venture, Kindergarten Ready.
Heather hopes that in sharing her journey, she can serve as a beacon of hope for aspiring entrepreneurs while underscoring the message that failure does not define one’s entrepreneurial journey.
Embracing the Path to Success
Heather’s journey provides a compelling narrative of redemption, illustrating how determination, strategic innovation, and an unwavering commitment to growth can lead to remarkable success, even in the face of initial setbacks.
Don’t give up!
Remember, setbacks are merely stepping stones, and the path to success often weaves through trials and tribulations.
So, take the plunge, leverage learning from failures, and stride forward confidently as you embark on your teacher biz journey.