11 Lessons I’ve Learned in 11 Years of Business

On September 8, 2014, I officially launched KA Social Media Consulting. Back then, my focus was on helping small businesses manage their Facebook pages.

Eleven years later, that small niche has grown into a full-service social media consultancy supporting entrepreneurs, associations, tourism operators, and organizations across Nova Scotia and beyond.

As I look back, I’m so filled with gratitude. Clients who trusted me, people who cheered me on, every like, comment, and share, and every workshop attendee played a part in making this milestone possible. You are the reason I’ve been able to do what I love for over a decade.

To celebrate, I wanted to share 11 lessons I’ve learned along the way as a business owner, mom, and entrepreneur.

1. Money Doesn’t Grow on Trees

In the beginning, I assumed clients would find me once I set up shop. That wasn’t the case.

Growth came for me when I showed up at networking events, started posting regularly, asked for referrals, and kept telling people what I do.

Opportunities don’t simply arrive. You create them by being visible and proactive.

2. Even Though Social Media Doesn’t Sleep, You Should

There’s always another DM, trending audio, or algorithm update waiting. But your brain and body need breaks.

Some of my best ideas have come after a weekend off or a vacation. Rest isn’t a luxury! It’s honestly a part of the process for me.

3. Hustle Doesn’t Equal Profit

There was a time when I wore working 24/7 like it was a badge of honour. But nonstop hustle only led to burnout, especially once I became a mom.

The real turning point came for my business when I built systems, outsourced what wasn’t serving my clients, set boundaries, and focused on smarter planning. Productivity is about outcomes, not how many hours you put into it.

4. Charge Your Worth

Like many new entrepreneurs, I started by charging too little. I thought being affordable would attract clients. Instead, it left me exhausted and undervalued.

Over time, I learned that the right clients respect your pricing when they see the value behind it.

5. Spend Money to Make Money

Every major growth point in my business came after an investment. Whether it was upgrading my tech, hiring my content manager, or enrolling in a program, those choices moved me forward.

DIY approaches save money short-term but slow you down long-term.

6. Comparison Drains Energy

Social media makes it easy to measure yourself against other people’s highlight reels. I’ve learned that comparing myself to others wastes energy. The better question is whether I’ve grown compared to last year.

7. Community Beats Competition

Collaboration has been key to my success over the years. Referrals, partnerships, and friendships came from cheering others on instead of viewing them as competition. Growing together works better than going it alone.

8. Clients Come and Go

In my early years, losing a client felt like failure and always sent me into a tailspin about whether I could keep going in my business.

I’ve since realized it’s part of business. Budgets change, needs evolve, and sometimes the fit isn’t right. When one client leaves, another opportunity opens.

9. Consistency Wins

The biggest results on social media don’t come from viral posts. They come from consistently showing up.

Even when engagement feels slow, your audience notices and builds trust over time. Many of my clients have come to me because I’ve posted regularly enough that I’m always top-of-mind.

10. Celebrate the Wins

It’s easy to jump to the next goal without stopping to appreciate your progress. But acknowledging milestones keeps you motivated. From signing my very first client to now, celebrating 11 years, each step has been worth pausing for.

11. Your Business Will Evolve, and So Will You

KA Social Media today looks nothing like it did in 2014. My focus has shifted many times, and that’s natural. Businesses evolve over time, and so do we.

Eleven years ago, I took a leap of faith. I seriously had no idea what the journey would look like, but I’m grateful I trusted myself enough to start. The thread through all of these lessons is simple: keep showing up, keep going, and celebrate along the way.

Here’s to 11 years of growth, gratitude, and community and to the next chapter of helping Nova Scotia businesses tell their stories online. Thank you for being part of this journey.

Work With Me This Fall

As I step into my 12th year, I’m opening space for:
✔️ Social media management clients
✔️ Event social media coverage
✔️ 1-on-1 strategy sessions
✔️ Workshops and training

If you’re ready to refresh your marketing and build consistency, let’s talk. Fill out my intake form or send me an email at Kerra@KASocialMedia.ca