WHAT ENTREPRENEURSHIP HAS TAUGHT ME
Running a business is often compared to a crash course in management, but I’ve found it to be much more than that. It’s like signing up for a real-life MBA, except the fees are not financial alone. The true tuition is paid in time, sleepless nights, and lessons you never anticipated.
For over a decade now, I have run The Baby Cot Shop and The Revealry. When I look back, there are certain truths entrepreneurship taught me — not gently, but the hard way. I’ll share what I’ve learnt.
1. People-Pleasing Has No Place In Business
For a long time, I confused kindness with compromise. I thought that by avoiding certain things, I was keeping the peace. In reality, I was creating cracks in my own foundation. When you prioritise protecting feelings over protecting your business, you pay for it in ways that are far more costly than you realise. The truth is, a strong business cannot be built on fragile decisions.
2. Growth Demands Courage
Your business will only expand as much as you are willing to have the difficult conversations and make the uncomfortable calls. I delayed too many of these moments, hoping challenges would resolve themselves, but silence only bred more problems. I lost time, money, and peace in the process. The turning point came when I realised that growth always requires courage — and courage is rarely comfortable.
3. You Can’t Hide Behind Your Brand
For years, I believed my customers wanted to deal with and buy from a ‘big’ company, not a person. I thought staying behind the logo was safer, more professional, less risky. But what I discovered is that people don’t build trust with brands; they build trust with people. Showing up as myself was the bridge that created real connections. Transparency, vulnerability, and presence were the keys I had overlooked.
4. Staffing Is Both Art And Science
Hiring is one of the most rewarding — and humbling — parts of business. I’ve made brilliant choices, but I’ve also made costly mistakes. Holding onto the wrong people for too long left me drained, and each bad hire shook the entire structure of my small business. Building a team goes beyond filling roles; it’s about nurturing the right culture. It requires discernment, patience, and a willingness to act when things don’t align.
Entrepreneurship has a way of humbling you, stretching you, and shaping you into someone you never expected to become. The lessons are not always easy, but each one builds resilience. The key is to learn quickly, adjust even faster, and keep moving forward with clarity and grace.
Let’s Connect
I would love to connect with you on socials. Go to Youtube.com/toksaruoture to watch and subscribe. Stay in touch at toksauoture.com. Let’s hang out together on Instagram @toksaruoture and on Facebook @Living Inside Out. Thank you for being part of the Living Inside Out journey. Let’s continue to reflect and grow together.
