Shifting your mindset before owning a business

Success looks different to everyone.

When we think about success a lot of us think

Huge houses

Luxury cars

Thousands of dollars

We let this mentality be the reason that we start our business

We aim for the luxuries of this world instead of striving for the things that are going to help us become better people.

This is the reason many of us are disappointed when things don't work out.

The Lie We're Sold About Success

When most of us think of success we're thinking about the same tired image society keeps throwing in our faces.

Million dollar house

Million dollar cars

Millions in the bank

That's what the world tells us to chase.

That's what we convince ourselves is the "end goal"

We start a business because we think "one day if I work hard enough this will be me"

But the harsh truth is that version of success is a trap.

Now I'm not saying this is impossible, but I want you realize that won't be the outcome for everyone.

The reason? Success is different for everyone.

While most are out their chasing that luxury life.

Some people are just chasing time with their family.

Escaping their abusive 9-5.

Being able to feed their children.

It's not about having millions of followers and millions of dollars.

The goal is bigger than that.

It's about being satisfied with whats put in front of you.

You decide to start your business, set a goal to earn your first $5 then work on a goal to earn $100.

Start small so you appreciate where you started.

Be Grateful

Learn to love what you have, take that and slowly advance as you go.

Learn to love comfort.

Learn to love generosity.

Learn to love slow investment.

Learn to love your community.

Learn to love your time.

Learn to love those who support you.

Learn to love where you started because one day you will be extremely grateful for it.

Redefine what success means to you.

Success is not a the same for everyone.

If you let this world define what success means to you, you'll always feel like you're behind and missing out.

There will always be someone with a bigger house.

There will always be someone with a flashier car.

There will always be someone with more followers than you.

The dangerous part? You'll miss the blessing in your own lane because you're focused on what others have.

Your blessing might be time, good health, or having food to eat.

The trap of comparison is so ugly

We live in a world where everyone's life is on public display.

You're happy with your wins and you're scrolling through Tik Tok and suddenly that win feels microscopic.

You made your first $200 this month, but someone else just bought their first house in cash.

You got your first client, but someone else is fully booked.

The truth is that comparison will eat your progress alive.

You don't know whats going on behind the scenes.

What we see is the polish, not the price someone has to pay.

Starting small matters

People love the idea of of overnight success.

The viral videos.

The six figure launch.

The investor swooping in to write a fat check.

But lowkey "overnight success" usually has ten year of quiet grind behind it.

Starting small builds character. It teaches you to appreciate the $5 sale before you start chasing a $50K launch.

It keeps you humble, grateful, and grounded. And it makes you someone people actually want to root for.

Think of it like lifting weights. If you start with trying to bench 200 pounds you'll crush yourself, but if you start with 20 pounds you'll build the strength to handle more. Owning a business is exactly the same thing.

It helps you build slow, so that you have the strength and knowledge to keep bettering your mind and skills.

Jumping into things too fast always ends up a mess.

This is your business.

Your future.

You want it to last.

The goal isn't only to get a few hundred dollars.

It's to build something that will last for generations.

The Dark Side of Money

Money changes people.

Sometimes for the better, but often times for the worse.

I've seen it happen over and over again, even to the best of people.

Someone will start with good intentions, say to make enough to support their family.

They just want to build something meaningful.

They get their first $5,000 and it completely changes them.

They don't call money a drug for no reason.

At first it feels exciting, they celebrate, they're proud.

But slowly it starts to change them.

They get greedy.

The person that use to donate, doesn't anymore.

The person who use to take care of their mom, doesn't anymore.

They forget where they came from.

They stop appreciating what they have.

They grind themselves into a pit and call it "hustle"

But here's the thing, what they once enjoyed, they don't anymore.

They have money, but no peace.

They've got a house, but it doesn't feel like home.

They've got the followers, but no real friends.

Having money with no peace is worse than having no money at all.

Here's Why I Respect Mom-and-Pop Shops

My mentality shift came from spending most of my time and family owned spots.

I've always respected these businesses because they just get it.

They're not trying to go viral.

They're not building to sell.

They're not chasing global domination.

They're just trying to build their life.

You can feel the difference when you walk into a mom and pop shop vs when you walk into a fancy chain store.

They know your name.

They ask about your kids.

They remember your order.

Every dollar you spend doesn't disappear into some corporate machine. It keeps their lights on and it pays their bills and it puts food on their table.

That's a real business.

And you know what else? They're proof that success doesn't have to be so loud.

It can be steady.

It can be rooted.

It can be simple.

And it can still mean the world.

Gratitude Is Everything

Truth is gratitude with keep you alive in business.

Here's the reason why.

There will be slow months.

There will be times where you question if you should quit.

And the only thing stopping you from walking away is gratitude.

Gratitude first the first sale.

Gratitude for the kind words from a stranger.

Gratitude for the lessons in the failures.

Gratitude for the chance to even try.

Without gratitude, business will eat you alive.

But with it, you'll survive the hardships.

The Myth of Hustle Culture

We've been sold the idea that hustle = success.

Working 16 hour plus days.

Go to sleep late.

Work throughout the entire night.

Burnout is not a badge of honor.

It's not noble to destroy your health.

It's not impressive to never see your family.

It's not success if you hate your life because of your "hustle"

Slow growth isn't failure.

Rest is not laziness.

Boundaries are not weakness.

This is all survival of being able to start and continue a successful business.

The Blessing of Sharing

There's a blessing of sharing that people don't talk about enough.

We live in a world that constantly tells us to hold back.

Don't let anyone in on your process.

But when you share you multiply.

When you share your story, someone else finds the courage to tell theirs.

When you share your mistakes, someone else avoids the same pain.

When you share your knowledge, someone else builds their dream faster.

When you share your wins, someone else sees proof that it’s possible.

Sharing is how community is built.

Think about it: every community you’ve ever been a part of started with someone deciding to share. A recipe. A story. A prayer. A piece of advice.

When you share, you open the door for connection. You say, “I’ve been through this. You don’t have to go through it alone.”

That’s powerful.

Because someone out there is praying for the exact words you’re scared to say. Someone is waiting for the exact story you’re debating on keeping private. Someone’s breakthrough is tied to your decision to share.

The world has enough gatekeepers. Enough people hoarding, hiding, keeping everything to themselves.

Be the one who shares. Be the one who tells the truth. Be the one who opens the door instead of locking it shut.

Because every time you share, you plant a seed. And you might not see it grow, but one day, someone will thank you for it.

Community and Legacy

At the end of the day, your business isn't just about you.

As harsh as it sounds no business will succeed without their consumers and supporters.

I know it sounds harsh, especially when you've been the one losing sleep and pouring your heart into your business.

Wondering if you made the right decisions and stressing about bills.

It's about the message you're delivering to people.

The way you impact them with your words.

What you leave behind for them and your loved ones.

Make people remember you and make them remember your words.

The way you make people feel with leave a lasting impression.

Every time you sell a product, offer a service, or share your work, you're creating a ripple.

You think you're selling a candle? No, you might be giving someone their first moment of peace they've felt in weeks.

You think you're designing a logo? No, you're helping someone start their business.

You think you're baking a cake? No, you're giving a child their favorite memory.

At the end of the day a business shouldn't be about how much you made, it's about how much you gave.