One year ago, I made the leap. Womads went from a side project to full-time reality.
January 2025 felt like standing at the edge of something unknown and it was exciting and terrifying.
Now, twelve months later, I'm still here. Not exactly where I thought I'd be, but somewhere better—more honest, more intentional, more myself.
Here's what my first year in business taught me about being a full-time entrepreneur, staying sane, and figuring out what actually matters when you're running a business on your own terms.
Your Morning Routine Isn't Optional (Especially as an entrepreneur)
For most of this year, I was up at 6am at least four days a week to train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with a tight-knit group. On mornings when I didn't want to get out of bed—and there were plenty—I did it anyway. Not for myself, but for my training partners. They showed up, so I showed up.
That hour on the mats set the tone for everything that followed. I'd arrive at my desk feeling focused and ready. It wasn't just exercise—it was accountability, community, a non-negotiable start to my day.
Then a few months ago, I injured my shoulder. Training stopped. My routine fell apart.
Without that morning anchor, everything felt harder. I'd wake up later, move slower, and start the day already behind. It made me realize just how much I'd been relying on that structure—and how intentional I needed to be to rebuild it.
One of the most important small business owner tips I can share: find your morning routine and protect it. When you work for yourself, no one else is setting the pace; it's up to you completely.
Plan It or It Won't Happen
So the start will be a lot of trial and error. I learned the best thing I can do for myself is write out my morning plan the night before.
If I have a vague idea that I might want to maybe go running... chances of it happening are slim to none. But if I write down: 6am wake up, 6:30 run, 8am breakfast—it becomes much harder to hit snooze and abandon my own intentions. You gotta set boundaries and deadlines even with yourself.
This applies to the rest of my day too. I set blocks of time in my calendar for specific projects and try to have my week mostly planned out. Those blocks shift around—life happens—but at least the important work doesn't get ignored.
Being intentional doesn't mean being rigid. It just means deciding what matters and making space for it.
There's No Right Way, Just the Way That Works for You
I have a tendency to overthink. To guilt-trip myself for not doing things the "right" way. I feel like a lot of people can relate to this.
I've had to remind myself constantly this year: what matters is enjoying what I'm doing and not comparing myself to others. This is one of those entrepreneur tips that sounds obvious but takes real practice. Trying to push aside the imposter syndrome thoughts is not easy.
Some days that means starting work at 10am because I felt like making myself a delicious breakfast. Other days it means skipping the morning entirely because I grabbed coffee with a friend and let the conversation stretch longer than planned.
This is the beauty of working for myself—so why ruin it with unnecessary pressure?
There's no right way to run a business. There's only what works for you, on any given day, in any given season of your life. Work-life balance as an entrepreneur looks different for everyone.
Feed Your Soul or Burn Out
I can't work 24/7. I have too many other interests—dancing, traveling, art, socializing. If I tried to work non-stop without making time for those things, I wouldn't make it.
Because those are the things that feed my soul. They make me excited about life. And honestly? They give me ideas and motivation for Womads. Womads is all about supporting women so I get a lot of inspiration and ideas for the women in my life.
It's not indulgent to take a dance class or spend an afternoon at a gallery. It's necessary.
Creativity doesn't come from staring at a screen for twelve hours straight—it comes from living. Getting your mind out of the, “I must work from 9 to 5” is tough. But maybe for you, you work better from 6 to 2 then you are heading to the park for a walk. What we need to be creative is different from others, so find what works for you.
There's No Such Thing as Failing
Everything turns into a learning experience.
I didn't check off all the goals I had envisioned for this year. Not even close. But I'm moving in the right direction, and that's what matters.
Every misstep taught me something. Every delay revealed a better path. Every moment of doubt forced me to get clearer on what I actually wanted.
There's no failing when you're building something from scratch. There's only learning, adjusting, and showing up again tomorrow.
Your Work Environment Matters More Than You Think
For years, I resisted investing in a coworking space. I didn't want to pay for it. I liked cooking lunch at home. It was practical being able to throw in a load of laundry while working.
Well, it was time I got over that.
Laundry can wait. Packing a lunch isn't rocket science.
I joined a coworking space called The Dock, in Wynwood. It's a 20-minute drive from my place—not the closest option, but the ones on Miami Beach lacked soul and real community, two things that matter deeply to me.
So I made that 20-minute drive something I look forward to. I play music, turn my brain off (mostly), and create a separation between work and home. Even if I work again once I get home, I feel re-energized by the shift.
And in the first few weeks, a member introduced me to a woman who is now my mentor. That alone made every dollar worth it.
Your environment shapes your work. Invest in a space that makes you want to show up.
What I'm Taking Into Year Two
Looking ahead, I'm not focused on doing more. I'm focused on doing better—more intentionally, more sustainably, more aligned with what actually matters.
I'm prioritizing my health, my creativity, and my relationships. Because Womads isn't separate from my life—it's woven into it. And if I'm not taking care of myself, I can't take care of this business.
Year one was about proving I could do this. Year two is about proving I can do it well—and enjoy it.
Here's to the next twelve months. More mistakes, more lessons, more moments where I have no idea what I'm doing but show up anyway.
That's what being a full-time entrepreneur looks like. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
Looking for more honest insights on running a business full-time? Follow along our socials as I share the behind-the-scenes of being a female entrepreneur—the beautiful, messy, completely worth it journey.