18 Lessons Learned After 18 Years in Business

This week we are celebrating 18 years of eWomenNetwork. That means we are celebrating 18 years of providing success strategies for women entrepreneurs; 18 years of entrepreneur networking events; 18 years of connecting success minded business owners and 18 years of striving to help one million women each achieve one million dollars in annual revenue. We have SO much to celebrate, and none of this would have been possible if our CEO & Founder, Sandra Yancey, hadn’t had a vision to create this multi-million dollar organization all out of the spare bedroom above her garage.

While it has been an amazing ride, it has by no means been a seamless one. As we celebrate the 18th anniversary of eWomenNetwork, we asked Sandra to tell us 18 lessons she’s learned over her 18 years in business.

Take a look at what she had to say:

1. All business is about relationships.
    

2. Develop a relationship with a banker before you need one.
   
   

3. Surround yourself with people 10x more successful than you.
   
   

4. The way you exit a relationship is more important than how you enter.
   
   

5. A.C.T. = Action changes things. It’s better to take imperfect action than perfect inaction.
   
   

6. Some people aren’t going to be comfortable with the entrepreneur you know you must become. Bless and release.
   
   

7. Focus on doing the things that only you can do. Find a way to delegate everything else.
   
   

8. Stay a student. In order to stay relevant, you will constantly have to learn, unlearn and relearn.
   
   

9. Figure out a system and document your processes. You can’t grow exponentially unless you do.
   
   

10. Know your numbers. Not just quantitative information, but qualitative data too. Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.
    
    

11. Celebrate small wins. They refuel your tank and give you energy to keep going on those days you don’t want to.
    
    

12. Your future and your fortune is in your follow up. Everyone talks it but few actually do it. Be the exception because that is what makes you exceptional!
    
    

13. Great leaders don’t always have the answers. But they do always have great questions! Ask your customers what will blow them away ... then do that!
    
    

14. Never underestimate paying attention to the little things. They often add up to big things!
    
    

15. Stop comparing yourself to others. Your competition isn’t over there. Your greatest competitor is yourself! Stay in your lane and run your own race!
    
    

16. It never happens as fast as you think it’s going to happen. It takes longer than you think it will take. Don’t quit five minutes before the miracle happens.
    
    

17. You’ll never be accused of being too kind.
    
    

18. You can move mountains if you’re willing not to take credit for it.