6 Lessons I Learned from Bootstrapping, Building, and Selling My First Business Before 31
Before I became a business mentor and strategist, I was a 25-year-old entrepreneur with a big idea, a lot of ambition, and absolutely no real-world experience.
I bootstrapped my first business, grew it into a brand people loved, and eventually sold it - all before I turned 31. Looking back, that chapter of my life was like a real-world business school I didn’t even know I was enrolled in.
And the truth? The lessons I learned during those years still shape how I run my business today and how I support my clients.
So today, I want to share six of the most important lessons I learned in that first business. Wisdom you can apply right now, no matter where you are in your own entrepreneurial journey.
Lesson #1: Branding Is How You Become Known
When I launched my first business, an online boutique called Funky Frum, I wanted it to feel different. Feminine, stylish, high-quality, and a little unexpected.
I invested in design, wrapped every order in lavender tissue paper, and included branded stickers to make customers feel excited when they opened their mail. Every detail was intentional.
But what truly built recognition wasn’t just the visuals, it was the feeling people had when they interacted with the brand. Customers didn’t just shop with us; they shared about us, they referred friends, they spread the word.
Your brand isn’t just your logo. It’s the experience people have with you.
Ask yourself:
How do people feel when they land on your website?
How do they feel when they read your emails or work with you?
Do they know what you stand for?
When your brand creates connection, everything else - from marketing to visibility to word of mouth - gets easier.
Lesson #2: You Are Not Meant to Build Alone
One of the biggest myths about entrepreneurship is that you have to do it all yourself. But every successful business is built on a foundation of relationships.
In my early days, I leaned on mentors, an accountant, local business groups, and even formed a mastermind with other women building online businesses. We shared data, celebrated wins, and gave each other honest feedback.
Support didn’t just make me smarter, it made me braver and more strategic.
Ask yourself:
Who’s in your corner?
Do you have people to bounce ideas off of, celebrate with, or gut-check your next move?
Support isn’t a luxury, it’s a requirement for sustainable growth.
Lesson #3: Marketing Didn’t Start With Social Media
When I launched Funky Frum, there were no Instagram reels, viral dances, or Facebook ads. But we still built buzz - through media placements, collaborations, and community.
I partnered with a jewelry designer on a limited-edition piece. I collaborated with nonprofits. I made tote bags people wore around the world. And people talked about us. Not because of an algorithm, but because they felt connected to the brand.
Social media is just one tool.
At its core, marketing comes down to this:
Know who you serve.
Understand what they care about.
Create things worth sharing.
Simple, right?
Lesson #4: Data Delivers Direction
In those early years, I tracked everything I could: site traffic, conversion rates, order volume, repeat purchases. Even when the numbers were small, they told a story - what worked, what didn’t, where growth was happening.
Numbers don’t create drama, they create clarity. And that clarity helps you make confident, informed decisions.
What metrics are you tracking?
For service-based businesses, that might mean inquiries, conversions, or top-performing content.
Even simple tracking can uncover powerful insights.
Lesson #5: Own Your Power
At 25, I was traveling solo to trade shows, negotiating with vendors, and placing big orders. More often than not, I was underestimated - young, female, and new to the industry.
But I realized quickly: no one is going to hand you legitimacy. You have to own it.
I carried myself with confidence even when I didn’t feel it. Over time, people respected me because I showed up consistently, followed through, and took myself seriously.
Ask yourself:
Where are you still waiting for permission?
Where are you shrinking back?
Step into your role as CEO, even before the outside world validates you.
Lesson #6: How You Treat Your Customers Matters
One of my favorite customers was legally blind. She would call me regularly to ask for help choosing pieces. Over time, I learned her body shape, her preferences, and her style. When new items came in, I called her personally to let her know.
She trusted me, not because of slick marketing, but because she felt cared for.
Takeaway: People may forget what they bought, but they’ll always remember how you made them feel. Customer experience isn’t an afterthought, it’s a growth strategy.
Looking Back
So, why did I sell that first business? In short: I became pregnant with triplets. The thought of running a retail business during a recession while becoming a first-time mom to three babies at once was too much.
But I don’t regret it. Because those years gave me lessons I still carry today - lessons I now use to help other women build businesses that are aligned, strategic, and sustainable.
Remember these six game-changing lessons:
Branding is how you become known.
You are not meant to build alone.
Marketing didn’t start with social media.
Data delivers direction.
Own your power.
How you treat your customers matters.
Ready to Grow With Clarity and Confidence?
If you’re ready to apply these lessons to your own business, I’d love to support you.
Whether through Strategic Planning for Solopreneurs or one-on-one mentorship, together we’ll create the clarity and structure you need to grow.
Click here to register for the event or connect with me directly.