Episode #4 – Our First Year in Business | The Wins & The Lessons

One year.

Twelve months.

Hundreds of jobs. Late nights, early mornings, and more fast food lunches on the go than we’d like to admit.

It’s been a ride.

In this week's 'Beyond The Gloss' we wanted to take a look back on our first year in business - not just the wins (though there were some great ones), but the real lessons too.

The kind that only come from doing the thing, messing up a bit, learning on the fly, and doing it better the next day.

Here’s what our first year in business really taught us:

1. Customers will become friends quicker than friends will become customers

This one surprised us.

People we met through work - clients, suppliers, even people we only spoke to once - ended up cheering us on more loudly than some of the mates we've known for years. That’s not a dig, just the reality.

Support shows up in unexpected places. And honestly? That makes it even better.

2. Just because someone is your friend doesn’t mean they get a discount

This is a big one.

You wouldn’t walk into your mate’s restaurant and expect a free meal. Running a business means respecting your own time and energy - and that includes charging properly for it.

Real mates will understand that. And if they don’t… well, you’ve learned something else too.

3. Not everyone is your customer - and that’s a good thing

In the beginning, we wanted to say yes to everything. Every job, every enquiry, every random request.

But not all jobs are a good fit — and not all customers are your customers. Learning to say no (nicely, professionally, and without guilt) has been a game changer.

You can’t do your best work if you’re constantly stuck doing work that doesn’t feel right.

4. You’ll meet some amazing people…

Honestly, this has been one of the best parts. The connections, conversations, and kindness we’ve come across from total strangers? Unreal.

Of course, it hasn’t all been smooth roads and green lights along the way. You’ll meet the not-so-pleasant ones too.

More on that in the next post…

5. Manage your time - or it’ll manage you

You can’t pour from an empty cup, and you can’t run an efficient business on fumes and skipped lunches.

Block out time to eat. Leave a buffer for travel. Don’t book back-to-back jobs with no breathing room.

This stuff seems small - but it’s the difference between running a business and burning out.

6. If you have to move a customer, that’s on you - communicate

Life happens. Schedules change. Jobs run over. But if something needs to shift, you need to communicate. A quick message isn’t always enough. Pick up the phone. Have the conversation.

It’s a small gesture, but it builds trust. And trust is everything in business.

7. Build a network of people you can turn to for advice

Here’s the thing: no one knows everything. And that’s okay.

You’re gonna hit walls — big ones, small ones, the kind that make you question your entire business plan. But one of the best things we learned is how valuable it is to have people you can turn to for advice.

Whether it’s fellow business owners, mentors, or even those who’ve been through it and survived, having a network to lean on is priceless. They’ve been where you are and can offer real insight that saves you from making the same mistakes.

It’s not just about avoiding the big slip-ups, either. It’s the little stuff — tips on handling clients, how to price things right, or just someone who gets why you’re stressing over the details. Building those connections early on can make a big difference.

We’ve still got a long way to go, but if our first year taught us anything, it’s this:

The work is important. But the way you do it - with honesty, care, and a bit of backbone - that’s what makes the difference.

Here's to the future - let's see what else it brings!

Want to hear how we handle the not-so-pleasant people we mentioned earlier? Stay tuned for Episode #5. It’s a good one.

And if you’ve ever priced a job fairly, then braced yourself for the 'yeah, but what's the price for me?' - Welcome, you’re one of us!