The Rookie Mistakes I Made (That Still Make Me Laugh)

Starting a business is full of surprises, facepalm moments, and stories that will make you laugh years later. Trust me, I’ve been there!

Here are 5 rookie mistakes I made when I started my business—the kind that still make me shake my head and laugh today. Because hey, we all start somewhere, right?

1. Spent Way Too Long Picking a Garbage Can

Yep, I wasted hours debating which garbage can to buy because, obviously, it was the key to running a successful business. Spoiler: It wasn’t.

Now, don’t get me wrong—details matter. But the energy I spent making lists of office supplies could have been way better used on, oh, I don’t know, figuring out how to grow my sales or market my business. Haha.  Turns out, the garbage can wasn’t my golden ticket to success. 😉

Lesson Learned:

• A garbage can will not make or break your business. (Shocking, I know.)
• Spend your time on the stuff that actually matters—like growing your sales.

2. Celebrated a GST Refund Like I Won the Lottery

When I got my first GST refund, I thought I was crushing it. Turns out, it just meant I’d spent more than I made. Cool. 🙃

I laugh about it now, but at the time, I genuinely thought this was some sort of bonus. It wasn’t until my bookkeeper explained the real meaning of a GST refund that I realized I had a lot to learn about finances.

Lesson Learned:

• GST refunds aren’t free money—they’re more like your accountant saying, “Hey, maybe slow down on the spending spree.”
• Learn the basics of your finances so you’re celebrating profits instead of refunds. Champagne tastes way better when you’re in the black.

3. Thought I Had to Pay for Merchandise On the Spot

Picture this: I walk into my first trade show, cheque book in hand, ready to “make it rain” like a pro. Only… that’s not how it works. Turns out, you don’t pay for merchandise until it ships. Who knew?!

The reps had a good laugh about it (thankfully, they were kind), but I walked away feeling embarrassed. No one gives you a handbook for how trade shows work, so I just assumed I had to be ready to pay upfront.

Lesson Learned:

• Pro tip: Ask questions! No one’s going to judge you for not knowing the rules (and if they do, they’re probably not fun at parties).
• Walking into a trade show with a cheque book isn’t a flex—it’s just awkward.

4. Didn’t Plan for Reorders

When I sold out of key merchandise, I was thrilled. But then I had nothing left to sell. Cue me scrambling to restock while customers waited.

Except I hadn’t planned for what came next. I had no restocking strategy, so I ended up scrambling to reorder while customers kept asking for more. The delay meant some missed opportunities (oops!)—lesson learned.

Lesson Learned:

• Selling out isn’t a mic drop—it’s a reminder to order more.
• Momentum doesn’t wait for you to catch up, so always have a plan for what’s next.

5. Confused Profit with Cash Flow

I’d look at my profit numbers and think, “Yes! I’m killing it!” Then I’d check my bank account and wonder why it didn’t agree.

I learned pretty quickly that profit on paper doesn’t equal cash in the bank. Just because your financial reports show a healthy profit doesn’t mean you’re swimming in cash—it just means the money exists somewhere in the cycle. Understanding cash flow became my new obsession!

Lesson Learned:

• Profit on paper doesn’t mean you’re rolling in cash. It’s more like your accountant saying, “In theory, you’re doing great!”
• Learn to love cash flow. It’s the real MVP of your business finances (and the reason you don’t have to live on instant noodles).

What These Mistakes Taught Me

A lot of business is just learning as you go—trial and error, figuring things out, and laughing at the facepalm moments along the way.

But here’s the thing: while those lessons are valuable, they don’t have to take forever. Hiring a coach or mentor is like hitting fast-forward on your success.

With the right guidance, you get clarity, accountability, and a push to make the moves that truly matter. It’s not just about learning faster—it’s about building momentum and moving your business (and your life) in the right direction.

When I finally brought on a mentor, everything clicked. I stopped spinning my wheels and started making decisions that drove real growth.

The Biggest Lesson of All

Success isn’t about doing it all perfectly. It’s about learning, taking action, and knowing when to call in the experts.

Hiring a mentor was the single best decision I made for my business. It saved me years of trial and error and helped me create the business—and the life—I’d always dreamed of.

Now? I get to help other business owners skip the messy middle and fast-track their success. Lucky me! 🥰