A Year of Growth: Lessons from Betting on Myself
For as long as I can remember, even back in college, the idea of starting my own business kept tugging at me. Over the years, that vision evolved but the whisper only grew louder until I simply couldn’t ignore it anymore.
Back in 2024, I filed the paperwork to create Grow Strategic Consulting, LLC. Bringing a dream to life was not easy, but I wasn’t looking for easy. I was looking for impact. I wanted to help people solve complex business problems, accelerate growth, and show up big, even when budgets and resources are small. Let’s be honest- we rarely have enough budget or people to accomplish the things we want, but we always find a way to meet the business need.
Some things took a lot longer to build, and others came together faster. There is definitely an ebb and flow to business. After a few starts and stops, I set goals and timelines, and launched in November 2024, just in time to attend AWS re:Invent 2024.
As we get ready for re:Invent 2025, here are the top five things I have discovered over the past year.
Top 5 Learnings
We are capable of more than we think. I thought I would strictly stay in the partner marketing area of the business when I first began. As I got to understand my clients better, and the challenges their customers faced, I discovered a whole new piece of my business: supporting platform adoption with the goal of seeing ROI faster.
Be kind to everyone. Including yourself. Sometimes things go according to plan, and sometimes they don’t. A little bit of grace and kindness goes a long way. Finding a new path forward is easier when you remain calm and collaborative. There are also times when we don’t get it right, especially when we are trying something for the first time. Mistakes are our biggest learning opportunity. Don’t fear mistakes. Grow from them.
Build your networks. Plural. Your family and friends are an amazing support, but they may not fully understand your industry or what you actually do. After 25 years, my mom is still asking me this question! You also need people who get it.
Put yourself out there and join different groups. I joined a local group of women entrepreneurs (hey, hey, Women of Milford!). I was so inspired by the variety of ways these women were building businesses and carving new paths. I realized I could carve my own path, too. Don’t limit yourself to just one group- there are so many organizations and resources available. Join multiple. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Just as important, recognize when a group no longer serves your growth and step away with gratitude.
Put yourself “out there”, wherever “out there” means for you. You grow when you are uncomfortable. Many people don’t realize this, but I dislike reaching out to strangers and posting on LinkedIn. In fact, a year ago I rarely accepted invites or responded to messages from contacts I didn’t know on LinkedIn. I didn’t want the hassle of talking to strangers or possible “weirdos.” But a strange thing happened when I posted about being impacted by the 2024 layoffs- so many people reached out to me. I met so many kind and brilliant people that I still am in touch with today. When you put positive energy out, positive energy comes back to you.
Stay curious. I am not afraid of hard work, and this experience has shown me that while I have learned a lot over the years, I still have new muscles to build. As an entrepreneur, I am responsible for everything in my business. I no longer have entire teams to support me with IT, legal, tax, design work, branding- you name it. Some things I do on my own, and some things I outsource. I’ve rediscovered my creative love of writing and designing, giving me the space to learn new skills. I have taken every single free AI workshop I can fit into my schedule. I’ve built and launched new services I didn’t even envision a year ago. I am excited by the hope of possibilities ahead.
I have learned a lot this past year, but I realize that I am just scratching the surface. There is so much more ahead. I am so excited to keep learning, driving impact, and making a difference. Thank you to my family, friends, and my amazing clients for entrusting me with their business. I’m incredibly grateful you’ve been part of this journey and invite you to see where we take year two together!