In our latest episode Embracing Imperfection: The Entrepreneur's Path to Progress, we chat with Bonnie Conrad, a digital marketing expert and business owner, about the realities of entrepreneurship, navigating change, and the importance of embracing imperfection. We explore the messy yet rewarding journey of building a business, getting past perfection, and being adaptable. Bonnie shares how her experiences as a military spouse has helped her become resilient to change, giving her the courage to start her own business and redefine success on her terms.
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Starting a business can feel like a leap into the unknown. Many new entrepreneurs expect that they need everything figured out from day one—but nothing could be further from the truth. The reality is, progress often begins with messy beginnings, small steps, and a lot of trial and error. Embracing imperfection can be your strongest advantage on the road to success.
When you start a business, it feels like you’re stepping into the unknown. It kind of is like that. There are so many unknown factors when it comes to starting and running a business. Many new entrepreneurs expect they need to have everything figured out from day one but that's far from the truth. The reality is, it starts off messy, small steps and trial and error but guess what, do it messy because you will figure it out. Embrace the imperfection and take it head on because you will succeed at it.
Start Small, Stay Consistent
As Bonnie reminds us, “Nothing was perfect when I started, and that’s okay.” The idea of waiting for perfection can hold you back, trapping you in the planning phase for months—or even years. Which you do not want! Instead, allow yourself to start small. Take action on your ideas today, even if they’re not flawless. Perfection isn’t the goal; consistency and persistence are what count. (This is where the discipline comes into play!)
When you’re consistent, you’re not only building momentum but also creating opportunities to learn from each step. Embrace small wins, adjust when you need to, and enjoy seeing how far you've come over time.
Don’t Fear Pivoting
What's the worst that could happen? Sure, people will tell you no or something is not for you but guess what, this is how you learn. Here’s the thing, when you start your business, this dream you have, it means you’ll take risks. But if you don’t, then you’ll never know. Remember, if something doesn't work out, you can always pivot! It’s yours, this dream, this journey of being an entrepreneur.
It's about adapting and staying flexible as everything is constantly changing. When you have that skill -> ADAPTABILITY, you can actually conquer more than you think. Not everything is the same, not everything is going to stay the same, in fact, many successful entrepreneurs have found their breakthroughs after making changes to their initial plans.
You have got to allow yourself the freedom to evolve and follow the path that feels right for YOU!
Value Client Connection
Your clients are more than a transaction. Sure, you want to make money, but client relationships are the heart of your business. Because without them, you will not be making money. I love the fact when Bonnie says, “We answer the phone!” I have seen this time and time again in the online space, those that have virtual businesses, they don't get on the phone. So weird. But yeah, it might seem small but you’re showing your clients you care and you’re there for them. Showing clients, they’re a priority can make a big impact.
In this era where automation and chatbots are taking over, the human touch is more important than ever. Answering the phone or providing a quick update shows clients they matter. Show your loyalty and they will show theirs.
Delegation: A Key to Scaling
Of course, when you start your business, it's all you. Wearing all the hats but as time goes on, you’re growing and there's only so much you can do in a day. Even its five hours a week, delegation will help you and your business thrive. It will help with your business’s growth and allows you to focus on what truly matters.
By letting go of tasks that others can handle, you create space for creative growth, networking, and strategic planning—things that can take your business to the next level. Remember, as your business grows, so does your need to free up time for bigger priorities.
Focus on Purposeful Efforts
What is making you money versus what is not making you money? Running a business is demanding and it can be easy to fall into the social media trap; hello we have all been there but is it making you money? Or whatever you’re doing, think about the impact it has on your business and its purpose. You want to evaluate everything you’re doing to see if it’s actually driving you real value for your business. And if it is, that’s where your energy should go.
Path to Progress In your Business
Oh boy, it’s going to be messy in the beginning with plenty of learning moments. Embrace imperfection, prioritize client care, and don’t hesitate to pivot when needed. And remember, you don’t have to do it alone—effective delegation and purposeful action will empower you to make real progress.
It's up to you where you want to go!
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We’re Dana Johnson and Sara Lowell hosts of Entrepreneur Encounter, a growing and thriving entrepreneur podcast dedicated to soft skills development and we’re so grateful you found us. We started this podcast to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you feel more empowered, thrive, and be fulfilled as you reach your entrepreneur goals.
We interview experts and thought leaders so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of yourself you’ve never seen before.
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