The Biggest Lessons (So Far)
Unexpected Learnings From the Early Days of Building a Business
The lessons come fast and furious when starting a business. When I launched First Light Coffee and this newsletter, I thought the hardest parts would be logistical—health codes, writing business plans, navigating licenses, sourcing equipment. And yes, that’s been challenging. I constantly worry I'm missing something crucial that might land me in trouble or leave me owing a fortune in taxes (I’m not, but paranoia runs deep).
Here are the key things I’ve learned so far:
👉 Time is finite, and you will waste a lot of it.
I can’t count how many hours I’ve spent exploring rabbit holes unnecessary at this stage. Early on, I wasted entire days on funding options and grant applications that never materialized. And the trailer! If a trailer appeared on Facebook Marketplace within 100 miles, my husband and I contacted the owner. Most lacked proper tags or titles, and none worked out. Was it wasted time in the bigger picture? Possibly. Did it still clarify our needs? Absolutely.
👉 You will drop many plastic balls. Maybe even some glass ones.
I recently revisited an insightful Twitter thread on Nora Roberts’ "glass balls vs. plastic balls" analogy, beautifully summarized by Jennifer Lynn Barnes:
“The key to juggling is knowing some balls are glass and some are plastic. Drop a plastic ball, it bounces—no harm. Drop a glass ball, it shatters. Know which balls are glass and prioritize catching those.”
I think about this constantly. Early in this journey, I was so absorbed by business tasks that I completely forgot a dress-up day at my daughter’s school. She was devastated. It was a plastic ball—no lasting harm—but it still hurt. She was over it quickly, but I kicked myself for falling short. Yet, reminding myself that dropping plastic balls is okay helped me move forward.
👉 People are more supportive than I imagined.
I worried endlessly about convincing people to care, questioning my "qualifications," and wondering if my story would resonate.
But here’s the truth:
When you show up authentically, with honesty, heart, and genuine intentions—people rally around you. They cheer you on and genuinely want you to succeed.
Every kind message, every order, every shared post, subscription, or simple encouragement fuels me through tough days. Thank you for being here.
By nature, I find asking for help incredibly hard. I’ve often declined offers—even when overwhelmed—insisting “I’ve got this” (a major weakness even during my USAID days). Yet, as my husband continually reminds me, people genuinely want to help. Accepting their support has been deeply comforting.
💛 You don’t have to do it alone. People are kinder, more generous, and more encouraging than you expect. Let them in.
Here’s what you can expect from me this week:
My mishaps and triumph in finding the coffee trailer
Reflections on parenting through change
My philosophy on being mission-driven and applying it to work, parenting, and advocacy
What I’m reading over my morning coffee:
Missteps, Confusion and ‘Viral Waste’: The 14 Days That Doomed U.S.A.I.D.
This piece hits deep, resurfacing the pain of losing my incredible colleagues and the heartbreaking loss for those who relied on aid.This Business Insider article reminded me parenting teens comes with curveballs. My kids are toddlers now—plenty of adventures ahead, and I’m planning to embrace every moment!
Time’s ‘Transition Month’ concept feels like a micro-revolution—how can we cultivate more kindness as we return to work?
I really admire what you are doing! How did you know coffee was what you wanted to focus on?
Thank you for this!! I recently launched my copy consulting business and often feel the same things you described here xx Here for all the support and connections in this Substack community!