Because of my background in both the corporate and entrepreneurial worlds, many of my coaching clients come to me with business or career questions. Quite often, they have questions / challenges like:
“How do I transition from a stable, well-paid corporate job to building my own business?”
“How do I grow my business while maintaining some kind of work-life balance?”
And sometimes, they want to know the reverse — “How to move back into stable employment after being an entrepreneur?”
I’ve been walking the entrepreneurial path for over a decade now. It’s been a journey filled with joy and plenty of challenges. It hasn’t always been easy, but it has been deeply satisfying. I wish there was a handbook on how to get everything right the first time — but there isn’t. Most of the lessons came through doing, trying, failing, adjusting, and trying again.
In this blog article, I want to share some of the key insights I’ve gathered along the way — the things I believe are essential if you’re considering taking the often lonely but rewarding road of entrepreneurship.
When stepping into entrepreneurship, we often have a choice:
Do we do something that feels “safe” — like freelancing in the same field we’re already feeling tired of — or do we chase something bigger, bolder, and a little scary? Something that makes your heart beat faster?
Clients often ask me which path to take. My advice: go for the dream. When things get tough (and they will), it’s your vision that will carry you through the darkest moments. If you’re not deeply connected to your why, it’ll be much harder to keep going when the tunnel feels long and the light at the end is nowhere in sight.
Different sources give different stats, but most agree that around 50–65% of startup failures are due to people problems — co-founder conflicts, team breakdowns, hiring mistakes, misaligned visions.
Most of the business ideas I’ve had to let go of weren’t because the ideas weren’t good — they were because I realized I couldn’t count on the people involved to deliver.
So here’s my advice: choose your partners with care. Be brutally honest upfront. Talk through all expectations, doubts, and potential “what if” scenarios before signing anything. Get it all down in a clear shareholder agreement.
And if you’re going solo, make sure you have a strong support network. Who’s going to be your thinking partner? Your voice of reason? Your cheerleader?
Once you’ve got the vision, you need a plan — a real one. Know your objectives. Know how you’ll test your product or service in the market, how you’ll brand and sell it, and how you’ll eventually scale. But here’s the catch: that plan will change.
You have to be ready to adapt, pivot, and start again (and again).
Statistically, about 90% of businesses fail. And the average entrepreneur fails 2–3 times before succeeding. What matters most is persistence. Keep adjusting. Keep learning. Keep moving.
Remember, J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter was rejected 12 times before it became a global phenomenon. So, embrace the messy process.
It’s much easier to take risks when you’re young, single, and don’t have a mortgage or kids. Later, there are more financial responsibilities to consider — and they matter.
It usually takes 2–3 years for most businesses to break even. Some, especially those in deep-tech or capital-intensive industries, may take even longer. And even when you hit break-even, your profits will likely be reinvested to fund growth.
So you need a financial runway. That could mean dipping into savings, securing outside funding, getting support from your family, or working side hustles to make ends meet. Bottom line: know how you’ll cover your living expenses during those early years.
If you’ve read this far, I hope I haven’t discouraged you. But this is where motivation becomes key. Entrepreneurship can be an emotional roller coaster. You’ll need habits and rituals that keep your fire alive. Here are some that have worked for me and my clients:
Entrepreneurship is a roller coaster — especially in the first 2 to 3 years. But even after that, it continues to challenge and stretch you.
So why do it?
For me, it’s always been about freedom, inspiration, and growth. The chance to live by my values and create something meaningful. And honestly, nothing in this world is truly stable. What matters is how we walk the path — and whether it aligns with our vision, values, and dreams.
With over a decade of entrepreneurial experience and an even longer career in leadership roles, I bring both hands-on knowledge and real-world perspective to my coaching work. Today, I help clients navigate big transitions in business, career, and personal life. Whether you’re moving from corporate to entrepreneurship, back again, or somewhere in between — I’m here to walk alongside you.
Ready to explore what coaching can do for you?
