Entrepreneurship Lessons I Wish I’d Understood Sooner

I don’t often give advice. I still make mistakes every day. But one thing has become very clear over time: No one has all the answers. What keeps you going is not perfection, it’s the discipline of showing up, especially when things get tough. I wish someone had told me that when everything felt uncertain, when progress felt like pushing a rock uphill.

Entrepreneurship, a path I chose over a decade ago instead of a stable job, constantly tests my confidence. There are moments when doubt and imposter syndrome try to take over. However, resilience isn't about avoiding doubt, but about persisting despite it.

Don’t Compare Yourself

Everyone’s path is different. At certain points in life, you might find yourself chasing uncertain goals while friends and family seem to be moving toward more stable, predictable lives — steady jobs, regular paychecks, clear routines. It’s easy to feel like you’re falling behind or making the “harder” choice.

But comparing your journey to theirs steals your focus and drains your energy. What matters most is where you are right now and what you’re building for yourself. Stability looks different for everyone, and success isn’t a single destination. Trust your process, even if it looks slow or uncertain from the outside.

You Are Not Your Business

Your business is something you build — it’s not who you are. If you tie your entire identity to outcomes, every setback feels personal. That’s not sustainable. Real resilience means knowing how to keep your core steady when things outside of your control shift.

I used to take every win and loss as a reflection of my worth. That only made the lows harder to manage. Over time, I learned to separate myself from the noise. I found balance through hobbies, relationships, and other small wins outside of work. That perspective helped me lead better, not just in the good times, but especially when things got tough.

Take Care of Yourself

Energy is your most valuable resource. Sleep, nutrition, and self-discipline are part of the job. When you’re running on empty, everything gets harder — decisions, focus, even confidence.

Early in my journey, I bought into the hustle myth. Skipped meals, long nights, nonstop pressure. Eventually, it caught up to me. Burnout nearly sidelined everything I had built. Since then, I’ve treated well-being as a strategic priority. A clear mind and a rested body make better decisions. You don’t need to be perfect — just consistent. Taking care of yourself is a long-term investment in your company’s success.

Build and Nurture Your Network (Even If It’s Hard)

Entrepreneurship is intense, and at times, isolating. But you don’t have to do it alone. Surrounding yourself with the right people, family, mentors, peers, and friends makes a real difference. We are not robots.

Some of the most pivotal moments in my journey came from conversations. A mentor once helped me avoid a deal that would’ve backfired. A peer’s advice helped me rethink a product's direction. These connections don’t just offer support, they give you clarity and keep things objective. If you’re not naturally a networker, that’s OK. Start small. One coffee. One message. It adds up. Over time, your network becomes your edge. As a business developer this is key, and it makes you resourceful.

Be Patient

Success takes time. Rushing leads to poor decisions, missed signs, and wasted energy. Most things take longer and cost more than expected — that’s part of the game.

I once rushed into a partnership out of urgency, hoping it would solve short-term pressure. It didn’t. It cost me time, energy, and trust. That experience reminded me to zoom out. When you’re playing the long game, patience isn’t passive. It’s a form of strength. Stay sharp, stay calm, and let the work compound.

Get Comfortable With Frustration

Not every day feels like a win. In fact, most of them don’t. Entrepreneurship is about enduring friction — and still finding ways to move forward. You can’t expect constant validation. What matters is staying in motion.

One of the biggest turning points in my journey happened at a moment that looked like success from the outside. I had just appeared on a national TV show, pitching my startup to investors. It was a big opportunity — something many dream of. But behind the scenes, my company was going through one of its hardest phases. Resources were tight, growth was slow, and I was running on grit alone.

Standing there, sharing my vision, while knowing the uphill battle we were facing, required more strength than I thought I had. That moment taught me something critical: real resilience is not pretending everything is perfect. It’s continuing to show up with clarity, integrity, and conviction, even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed. That mindset shift helped me turn frustration into fuel.

Believe in Yourself, But Question Your Ideas

Self-belief is essential, but so is humility. Not every idea is a winner, and that's OK. The ability to adapt is more valuable than being “right.”

At one point, I was convinced a product idea would succeed quickly. But as we grew, I noticed that the market we were focusing on was moving too slowly compared to another opportunity emerging faster and with more potential. It became clear we needed to expand and shift focus, even if it meant partially letting go of what I initially believed in. Recognizing this on my own, without waiting for outside validation, was crucial. Believing in your capacity to solve problems, not any single idea is what keeps you moving forward.

Failure Is Part of the Process

Failure isn’t the opposite of success. It’s the foundation of it. Every person I admire in this space has failed. That’s not a weakness, it’s how you grow.

Two of my biggest failures still stick with me. One was a launch that fell flat due to poor timing. The other was a partnership that broke down over misaligned goals. Both were painful. Both taught me things I couldn’t have learned any other way. What matters isn’t avoiding mistakes, it’s how fast you learn from them and adjust.

Keep Learning, Keep trying

Markets evolve. Tools change. People shift. If you don’t keep learning, you fall behind. Growth requires curiosity.

The most valuable lessons I've learned have not come from books or courses, but through experience, failure, and adaptation. As a sailor once told me, "You don't become a sailor without storms." This principle applies here as well. Remain open, stay humble, and continue to improve.

Show Up Every Day

Brilliance isn't the differentiator; consistency is. Ideas are plentiful, but discipline is a rare commodity.

Some days, all I could do was take one small step. Send one email. Improve one piece of the process. But those little efforts add up. When things don’t go your way, what keeps you in the game is your ability to keep showing up. That’s where momentum comes from.

Be Brave

Playing it safe won't get you far. Risk is an inherent part of the journey. The key isn't to eliminate fear, but to act in its presence.

If I could go back, I’d do three things differently. I’d fear failure less. I’d ask for more help. And I’d be more patient with myself. But I have no regrets about the path I chose. Every challenge made me sharper. Every setback made me stronger.

Recognize How Far You’ve Come

Entrepreneurship is a long game. Some days you feel on fire. Others, you’re just trying to stay standing. The key is to keep moving.

I used to downplay my progress, always chasing the next goal. But when I look back, I see what it took to get here — the battles fought, the lessons earned, the grit built over time. Don’t wait for a perfect outcome to feel proud. Look at how far you’ve come. You’re still standing. That alone is proof of strength.

If these words help even one person push through a tough week, they’ve served their purpose.

To my mentors, colleagues, and friends who have supported me, thank you. Your honesty and trust have made all the difference.

I have opened my calendar to schedule work sessions. If you are building something, especially in Mexico or Mexico City, and are interested in collaborating, do not hesitate to contact me on LinkedIn. I would love to share what I have learned and support you on your journey. You are not alone in this.