How many months or years did it take before your business became a success?
Did it happen after you completed a set of skills or education?
Was it because of past experiences helping you succeed?
Was it the right timing or deal that led you to success?
Did a social media trend help you find your niche and make your work relevant?
I’m a sole proprietor with a niche business in an even more niche market. It’s been about 2 years in business, and I’m technically at zero profit, but I’ve been able to cover my essentials. I feel bad I’m not making millions, especially after seeing Instagram stories about people making 100k in a few months. I’m not close to that, but this year, I’m going all out and combining everything I’ve learned to make my business a success. This might be my last year in business if it fails; if it does, I’ll just keep it as a hobby and find another job like plumbing.
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It depends on what you mean by ‘taking off’. My landscaping company was profitable from day one, but it took around 3 years before we started making real money.
Beck said:
It depends on what you mean by ‘taking off’. My landscaping company was profitable from day one, but it took around 3 years before we started making real money.
Congrats on the success! When you started making real money, did the work get easier or more predictable? I feel I can make money now, but the contracts are unpredictable, and I’m still learning as I go.
@Ash
Yep, things got easier. At first, I took on every kind of landscaping job. I went from cleanups to building patios while managing regular mowing clients. I was everywhere, doing too much, and couldn’t focus on growth because I was busy doing the work. Now, I stick to lawn care, irrigation, and snow removal—simple tasks that don’t require much skill. I built a few teams, so now I mostly handle sales, marketing, billing, and collecting checks from the accountant.
I totally understand. It took me about 3 years before I saw steady growth. It wasn’t just one thing; it was a mix of learning new skills, learning from mistakes, and finding the right niche. The ‘overnight success’ stories you see on social media aren’t always real—they skip over years of hard work. Keep going; your breakthrough might come when you least expect it. You’ve already built something that works, so you’re closer than you think! Even if things don’t go as planned this year, the experience will pay off later. Keep pushing!
Starting a business is all about timing and luck. Most businesses don’t survive past 3-5 years. It’s not just about the business taking off—it’s about how you manage things like people, relationships, and money.
I started a construction business in January 2021, which wasn’t the best time after COVID, but I focused on managing my relationships and finances. At first, I was charging too little and taking on too much work, but I kept pushing. A few weeks ago, I signed a big contract with a bank with 13 locations, which will make up about a third of the revenue I needed to subcontract for. Don’t waste money trying to be someone else. Spend it on your business and your employees. If you do this, you’ll break the odds.
I made a profit in the first month, but I had a good mix of luck, skill, and opportunity.
I started fully online and used the profit to rent office space. From there, things took off. I paid myself a good salary in year 1, and doubled my profits in year 2.
I have a PhD and am a licensed psychologist. My business was a private practice doing the same job I had been doing, so I already had a reputation and experience. It’s easier to continue doing what you’re good at than to start from scratch.
While I think my business could have succeeded at any time, my readiness was key.
I’m not on social media, and there’s nothing trendy about my work. In fact, it’s very old-fashioned with no online presence.
My first business took off quickly because I had connections who could use my products/services. For my current business, I bought an existing one, which made it easier for things to take off.
I have started offering new products and services, some of which I thought would do really well but didn’t take off.