In Steil Creative Turns Two! 

It’s hard to believe that two years have gone by since I made the leap from my stable 9-to-5 job to start my entrepreneurship journey. This decision had been brewing for many years, but it felt right while I was caring for my grandmother in a long-term care facility and burning the candle at both ends. Despite the challenges, I can confidently say it’s been one of my best life choices.

When reflecting on these last two years, so much of it feels like a whirlwind. I remember making this Instagram Reel on the first day I was my own boss, and thinking that the audio was perfect for how I was feeling in the moment. And, it was. I started out having no idea what I was doing but trusting myself enough to be able to figure it out. Has it been smooth sailing? Absolutely not. Have there been days where I’ve thought about burning it all to the ground and getting a full-time job again? One hundred percent. But am I a happy and healthier person (albeit slightly more stressed about money) forging my own path? You bet! 

This isn’t going to be one of those posts where I tell you all about the things I learned in the last two years or what I wish I would have known before I became an entrepreneur because, let’s face it, I still don’t have all the answers and that would be one heck of a long blog post anyway. But I will tell you that working with a business coach early on, shoutout to Diana Davis, and knowing how to implement (and stick to) boundaries from the get-go was a real game changer. While there’s no rulebook for starting your own business, having someone to mentor and guide you through those early days can be invaluable. 

For anyone starting their journey, my best advice is to embrace the ups and downs and get comfortable with uncertainty. In a client-driven business, it can be daunting not knowing where your next project will come from. And while I’m not entirely into the mystical, sometimes you have to trust the Universe. More than once, a client and I have parted ways and before I could even post about having an opening, a new one arrives. Adopting an abundance mindset has allowed me to pass on projects that aren’t the right fit, and that’s incredibly liberating. This is also where having a strong network can benefit you, so as tired as you may be from building and running your business, remember to make time for genuine connections in your industry, too. 

This past year, my biggest challenge was securing health coverage after I could no longer rely on COBRA from my previous employer. I shared my experience in a series of blog posts and was grateful for a connection who introduced me to her health insurance broker. Honestly, overcoming that hurdle stands out as one of my proudest achievements of this year, as it was my biggest fear when leaving my full-time job.

Looking ahead to year three, I intend to continue growing my business and adding clients while focusing on optimizing my systems. I’ll explore automating tasks like invoicing and working with independent contractors to scale sustainably.

No one is ever truly ready to start a business. But if you can believe in yourself and remember to take a breath, things will work out. It might not look how you envisioned, and it may take longer than expected, but the journey will be worth it in the end. And for everyone who has believed in me, trusted me, and supported me in my endeavors over these past few years, thank you!