24 Things I’ve Learned as a 24-year-old Business Owner
A few weeks ago, I posted on Threads asking how old I seem based on my profile pic and a few facts about me:
“Based on my profile pic & these facts about me... how old do you think I am?
I've been in business for about 4 years
I just moved into my first apartment with my bf of 5 years
I'm a Benson Boone stan, but the Jonas Brothers were my first loves
My fav social media platforms are TikTok & Instagram”
The responses ranged from 22 to 29.
And as of yesterday… I can officially say that I’m two dozen years old!🥳
So I’m sharing a dozen beliefs I’m rooting myself in and a dozen I’m dumping in the dirt—to become fertilizer for the person I’m growing into—as I enter my 24th year of life.
BELIEFS I'M ROOTING MYSELF IN
#1: “You’re allowed to change your mind.”
Saying no after already saying yes, changing views on things you once believed—it’s all okay!
#2: “Trust your intuition.”
If it feels off, it probably is. That may be the overthinker in me, but it’s better safe than sorry.
#3: “Rest is productive.”
Giving your mind rest is crucial, especially in the creative space. Making time to create with no end goal or just rot on the couch helps us show up strong when it counts.
#4: “Most things aren’t actually urgent.”
In the moment, everything feels huge. But zooming out reveals that most things are super minor details to the bigger picture. So no, your business isn’t going to burn down if you skip posting on Instagram for a week.
#5: “Everything happens for a reason.”
I know, this one’s arguably the most cliché, but it’s something that I truly believe. God’s plan is bigger than anything we could ever imagine, and all we can do is trust the detours that take us to where we’re meant to be!
#6: “Working to live > living to work.”
Loving your job is great, but your life shouldn’t revolve around it. Having a healthy work-life balance is so important.
#7: “Setting small goals is just as important as setting big ones.”
Smaller goals that are easier to reach are equally as rewarding and keep you on track to hitting your larger goals.
#8: “You can be grateful and want more at the same time.”
Why can’t both be true? Who said it has to be one or the other?
#9: “Younger you would be proud of where you are now.”
Whenever I’m being hard on myself, I think about 8-year-old Giuliana. She’d think the life I’m living now is frickin awesome, and I should remind 24-year-old me of that more often.
#10: “People don’t care as much as you think.”
We spend so much time worrying about being perceived, but most people are too busy living their own lives to fixate on ours.
#11: “The people who are doing better than you won’t judge you.”
Those who are secure and on top just want to see others succeeding with them! Only envious people judge.
#12: “Perfectionism is a trap.”
Perfection is subjective, and trying to achieve it leads to burnout, procrastination, or both.
BELIEFS I'M DUMPING IN THE DIRT
#1: “Saying no means burning a bridge.”
Setting boundaries is healthy, and saying no just means you’re making space for something better!
#2: “Take any client who will pay you.”
You and your client deserve to be equally as excited to work together. The energy you both bring to the table shapes the end result!
#3: “Niching down is restricting.”
Niching helps you speak clearly to the people you want to reach. Others outside of your niche will still reach out if they want to work with you, and you get to decide if you want to take them on.
#4: “Hustling is the only way to get to the top.”
Slow, sustainable growth beats the hustle-to-burnout cycle every time.
#5: “Comparison helps you improve.”
This one’s tricky. Of course we all want to make sure we’re providing the same quality of work and pricing ourselves in a way that makes sense for our market, but there’s a fine line. Checking in every once in a while is okay, but obsessing over it drains you.
#6: “You’ll have everything figured out once you’re X years old.”
No matter how old we are, we’ll never have it alllll figured out. And that’s the beauty of it!!
#7: “You need a degree to be successful.”
It was drilled into us throughout high school that college was the next step, so that’s what I followed. But I was never satisfied with my major so I kept taking a bunch of random classes each semester as I tried to figure it out, until I dropped out and found a career that actually lights me up (this one hehe!)
#8: “The more friends, the better.”
I used to wish I was part of a big friend group, but I’ve grown to recognize the value in having a handful of super close friends over a group of 15+ semi-friends. (Plus, there’s way less drama lmao!)
#9: “If a client messages you, you have to respond ASAP.”
Instead of responding the second I see an email or DM, I now reply when my brain (and my office hours) allow for it. So much more peace.
#10: “Not knowing the answer makes you unprofessional.”
We’re all human! People will respect you for being real and saying “hmmm I’m not too sure about that one, but I’ll look into it!” and won’t think of you differently for it.
#11: “You need to sound polished if you want to be taken seriously in business.”
Ummm no tf you don’t! I remember one of the first versions of my about page sounded like I was writing it while wearing a blazer. Now, I write like I’m in my comfy pjs and braless (because I most likely am). It lands better with my people and makes showing up soooo much easier!
#12: “Sensitivity is a weakness.”
My girl Amaya Papaya (if you’re a Love Island girlie, you get it) showed us on national television that feeling and sharing our big emotions is a freaking strength. And she ended up on top because of it!
So, those are my two dozen ins and icks for 24!
I’m still learning (and unlearning) a whole lot, but here’s an idea of where I’m at right now.
