18 Years of Accidental Entrepreneurship: Why "Being Nimble" Made All the Difference
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Thanks to good ol’ Facebook, I was recently reminded that last week marked the 18th anniversary of my accidental entrepreneurship.
If you don't know the backstory: I started freelancing back in 2008 during the Great Recession. I had just experienced the absolute joy of a layoff from a comfy government communications job with great health insurance (this was pre-ACA, folks—it really sucked).
The economy was horrific. To tide us over, I scrambled to pick up freelance work. Ironically, my very first client was my former employer, who—whoops!—didn't realize just how many projects were on my plate until I was gone.
Eventually, I landed a part-time role blogging and writing for a magazine. But living on a no-benefits, part-time hourly wage wasn't feasible, so I needed to fill in the gaps. I built myself a website and started telling everyone I knew that I was available for “communications consulting” (spoiler: no one really knew what that meant back then).
Despite my fuzzy brand positioning, small gigs started trickling in:
Niche Blogging: Helped several businesses in an industry I knew deeply get their blogs off the ground.
Messaging Strategy: Developed brand messaging for local clients (I know of at least one that still uses it all these years later!).
Freelance Writing & Teaching: Wrote articles and landed a gig teaching online marketing and website design at a local college.
The Single Best Piece of Advice for “Accidental” Business Owners
Over the years, my work has undergone countless evolutions. When folks who are new to the whole "oh %&$# I have a business" experience ask for advice, I usually cover the essentials:
Keep your operating costs as lean as humanly possible.
Don't take advice from people who can afford not to make money.
Build a solid, memorable brand.
But the most important thing I always tell them is this: Be nimble.
I know—it sounds pretty boring! But it’s the truest thing I can offer. Over nearly two decades, I’ve cycled through multiple business models, worked with wildly different audiences, and tested more offer types than I can count.
Remember: “It Didn't Work” Is Just Data
One of the most common reasons people walk away from business is the dreaded "I tried it and it didn't work" wall.
I have tried SO MANY things that didn't work. But thanks to my background, I was able to view those stumbles not as personal failures, but as great data.
Sure, a failed offer is disheartening, but it’s also information. And information is invaluable.
When something flops, it just means it’s time to investigate:
Was it the wrong time?
Was it the wrong audience?
Was the idea just not fully baked yet?
Viewing outcomes through a lens of curiosity (there’s a reason why “Embrace Curiosity” is one of my company values) made me unafraid to quit doing things that no longer work—even if they used to.
Being Nimble Is a Skill, Not a Personality Trait
One of the most pernicious myths in business is the idea of innate talent. The truth? Almost all of the most important tools in business are skills that can be learned and developed.
I didn't emerge in 2008 naturally knowing how to pivot on a dime. I honed that muscle over time. I got better at spotting little ripples in the market, adjusting my course quickly, and staying ahead of major problems.
It’s been quite a journey, and after 18 years, I’m still here—learning, shifting, and evolving every day.
A Note: Recommended Watching
If you want to dive deeper into the reality of these business cycles, I recently watched a fantastic video by an art educator I really admire. She talked openly about the ups and downs of her business, and it hit on so many of these same themes.
