On March 20th, 2023 Nyla had its 10-year anniversary. 10 Years!! I took some time to reflect and below are my thoughts on all that I’ve learned along the way so far.
1. Originally I thought starting a business is the scary and hard part. However, what I learned is that the real challenge comes from growing the company from a company of one – just yourself – to a real team of people. Growth requires long hours, facing setbacks, plenty of sacrifices, embracing humility, and constantly learning. Some days in business the biggest win is just having the courage to keep going, even when the going gets tough (which it always does.)
2. Entrepreneurship and becoming a leader requires an unending drive to learn and improve. Often this means taking on tasks you may not be particularly good at but you have to learn them and do them anyway. Constant personal growth is a core requirement of the journey. AKA I’ve eaten a lot of humble pie along the way.
3. Try as you might mistakes are inevitable. I guarantee it! I’ve certainly made some big whoopers in my entrepreneurial journey! The key is not to dwell on the past or wish you could change what’s been done. Instead, you can only learn from those mistakes and apply those lessons moving forward.
4. No doubt about it luck plays a part in everything too. I’ve been fortunate to experience some great strokes of luck – awesome people, perfect timing, and fantastic opportunities. However, there have been times I have been on the wrong side of the dice – even when I was super duper prepared and thought I had everything buttoned up perfectly. Sometimes things just don’t work out and sometimes they do. You never know how it will all turn out.
5. I am always humbled and incredibly grateful how we have been able attract and retain extremely amazing people – true super stars! My vision of Nyla being a unicorn farm came true! I love that I am definitely not the smartest or most talented in the room. I love our team working together to build something great.
6. I have to take time for myself. When running a business, it can be easy to get caught up in an endless list of tasks and to-dos, as well as, prioritizing my relationships with others (employees, partners, family, friends, community) above my own needs. However, I’ve realized that stopping and caring for myself is just as important! I’ve got to be on the to-do list too.
7. I’m filled with immense gratitude for even the chance to pursue my dream. I think of the strong women who came before me – my paternal grandmother who immigrated to America at sixteen years old and my own mother who was given limited professional choices – she was told she could only be a teacher or a nurse. I grew up and live in a time that I can achieve nearly anything I set my mind to. I honestly tear up at the thought of achieving the American dream and am so grateful for the opportunity to even try.
8. Success is not arriving at a fixed destination. Rather success is the freedom to chart your own course in life, pursuing the path that is most fulfilling for uniquely you. There is no handbook and you only get one go around at this beautiful and precious life. So success is the guts to deviate from the norm and do what is best for you. Listen to yourself – what do you really want? What matters most to you? Build that life. That is success.
9. Far and away, the best part of this journey is the people. I really love getting to work all of you! I love the interactions. I love working with people who possess strengths and perspectives I lack (hearing about it too.) I love that often my work friends become my real-life best friends. The relationships and the times shared together are what bring me the greatest joy.
10. I’m super grateful for all that’s been done and all there is to come in the days and years ahead. Plus, I really love the color blue. Cheers to 10 years and cheers to continuing on!
