New Entrepreneurs: Am I making progress?

Starting a business can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially when you're navigating uncharted territory. Although I’ve never run a business before, I have over 10 years of management experience working with teams and subcontractors. Throughout my career, I’ve been involved in contract negotiation, team development, sales, and reporting. I've presented to groups and led various initiatives, so when I decided to start my own business, I felt confident that I had the foundational skills to succeed.

But here’s the reality check: knowing how to run parts of a business doesn’t mean you’ll instantly feel like you’re making progress when you’re building one from the ground up.

The Reality of Slow Progress

I started working on my business outside of my regular job since I still needed a full-time income to pay the bills. Some days, I would connect with other business owners—not with the intent to make a sale, but simply to build relationships. Other days, I spent hours learning new skills relevant to my industry. Sometimes, I’d focus on administrative tasks like designing my website, creating invoice templates, or preparing quotes.

At times, I felt like I wasn’t moving forward. I would look at other established businesses and wonder why I wasn’t seeing the same success. I hadn’t landed any clients yet, so there wasn’t any money coming in, and in my mind, that meant I wasn’t progressing.

Shifting Perspective: Every Task Counts

What I eventually realized is that progress doesn’t always look like immediate success. I had to remind myself that all of these small tasks—networking, skill-building, and behind-the-scenes work—are essential parts of laying the foundation for a business. Just because I hadn’t closed a deal or seen instant financial gains didn’t mean I wasn’t making headway.

Building a business is a marathon, not a sprint. These early efforts might not pay off right away, but they are crucial stepping stones that lead to long-term success. Whether it’s improving your skills, establishing processes, or making connections, every action you take is part of building something sustainable.

Progress is Progress, No Matter How Small

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that progress doesn’t always have to be huge or immediate to matter. Some days, all you’ll manage to do is update your website or send a follow-up email. On other days, you might learn a new skill or connect with someone who can open doors for you in the future. It’s important to acknowledge and celebrate those small wins.

As long as you’re taking some action each day, no matter how minor it seems, you are moving in the right direction. Progress is progress, and every little bit counts toward your ultimate goal.

If you’re a new entrepreneur feeling uncertain about whether you’re making headway, remember: The building blocks you’re putting in place today are creating the foundation for tomorrow’s success. Keep going, stay patient, and trust the process. You’ll get there.