Written By Meghan Goff

Five whole years. Without pausing to reflect, it’s easy to overlook just how much has changed – like the addition of my four-year old son!

After years of coordinating daycare drop offs and slogging through a 9-5 work day, one January morning, it all shifted: suddenly, I was an entrepreneur. But what did I know about running a business?

Whether you’re venturing out on your own or seizing a new opportunity at work, taking a big swing is courageous, commendable, and at the very least, it’s always a learning experience!

So what has five years of business taught me? And more importantly, what might you learn from it?

Here are my top five takeaway from the last five years of business:

1. Community is more than a buzz word.
   As an impact storyteller, community is often at the heart of my work. Chances are, if you’re a nonprofit leader or donor communicator, you probably hear this word thrown around a lot. It might even be easy to label “community” as just another buzz word, to disregard it as “diluted” or “overused.” But I beg to differ.
   Over the last five years, two roles have dominated my life: mother and entrepreneur. In both, I’ve built communities that have lifted me up, empowered me, and inspired me to become the very best version of myself. Community matters, because whatever change you’re working so hard to bring to the world, I guarantee, you can’t do it alone.
2. You’ll never be the smartest person in the room – and that’s ok!
   Titles like “subject matter expert,” “strategist,” and “consultant” all have a great ring to them. And I’m proud to boast a bit and say they’re all accurate. But, providing real value doesn’t come from knowing it all – it’s the recognition and acceptance that the unknown will likely always outweigh the known. And if you’re smart, you’ll lean into this – not just accepting other’s insights, but actively seeking them out – always striving to  learn from people who are more capable, more skilled, and even more passionate in the areas you hope to grow and excel.
3. Some money is more expensive.
   The first time someone said this to me, it was like a lightbulb went off in my brain. We’ve all been there – desperate times call for desperate measures. Perhaps. But in the end, it’s about trusting your gut and following your heart. I’ve found, if the paycheck (or donor check) makes you sacrifice your values or your boundaries, it’s not worth it! 
4. Your network is everywhere.
   When people ask me how I secured my first clients, the answer is actually pretty straightforward: I emailed everyone. I took stock of my existing relationships, I reached out to former colleagues, I cold emailed until my fingers fell off. I requested to connect with people in my industry. I asked questions, I looked for opportunities…and I haven’t stopped since. And along the way, I’ve learned that this great big world is actually shockingly small – we all seem to know someone who knows someone who knows someone, leading to some serendipitous (and profitable) relationships. Your network is everywhere – nurture it!

Never stop asking “why”
Or “why not?” for that matter. The same, tired approach will (shockingly) lead to the same tired results. In my work, “why” is a chance to create opportunities to tell new stories, to disrupt ineffective communication styles, and challenge others to consider that there might be a different path forward. And when times are tough and the end goal seems out of reach, “why” centers me. Why is this work so important to me? Why does the world need our help? Why would I pass up on the opportunity to play a small role in that?