5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting a Business – Robert Himelfarb
By Robert Himelfarb
Starting a business is one of the most exciting — and humbling — things I’ve ever done. Like many first-time entrepreneurs, I dove in with ambition, energy, and big ideas. But along the way, I hit walls I didn’t see coming.
If you’re thinking about launching your own business, here are five things I wish someone had told me before I started mine.
1. Passion Isn’t Enough — You Need a Plan
I started with passion, which is great fuel in the early days. But without a clear plan, that energy burns out quickly. I didn’t fully grasp how much structure, budgeting, and strategic thinking go into even the simplest operations.
What I learned: A business plan doesn’t need to be perfect — but you need one. Start with goals, expenses, customer profiles, and timelines. The clearer your path, the more prepared you’ll be when things get tough.
2. You Don’t Need to Be Good at Everything — But You Do Need Help
I tried to do everything myself: marketing, web design, bookkeeping, customer service — all while running the core of the business. That led to burnout and a few costly mistakes.
What I learned: Delegate sooner than you think. Whether it’s hiring part-time help, using automation tools, or bartering services, don't go it alone. Focus your time on what you do best.
3. Cash Flow is More Important Than Profit
One of the biggest surprises for me? I could be “profitable” on paper and still be broke. If clients paid late, or I didn’t forecast expenses correctly, I ran into serious stress.
What I learned: Cash flow is the lifeblood of your business. Track it weekly. Build a cushion. Get clear payment terms with clients, and don’t be afraid to chase down invoices.
4. Your First Idea Probably Won’t Be Your Final One
When I launched, I was sure I had the perfect product and pitch. Six months in, I had to tweak both — based on real customer feedback. That felt like failure at first, but it was actually growth.
What I learned: Adaptability is a superpower. Most successful businesses pivot — it’s not a weakness, it’s a strength. Stay curious, listen to your market, and evolve as needed.
5. Your Mindset Will Make or Break You
I expected business to be hard. What I didn’t expect was how much of it would be mental. Impostor syndrome, self-doubt, comparison — they all hit me at once.
What I learned: Discipline beats motivation. Keep showing up. Build routines. Talk to other business owners. Your mindset is your most valuable asset, so protect it.
Final Thoughts
Starting a business has been one of the most challenging and rewarding chapters of my life. It’s taught me resilience, creativity, and how to trust myself — even when the path isn’t clear.
If you're thinking about taking the leap, I hope these lessons help you avoid some of the bumps I hit.
I’m Robert Himelfarb — entrepreneur, learner, and believer in second starts. Feel free to connect with me or explore more of my thoughts [on the blog/about page/contact page].
Robert Himelfarb on 5 Things Wish I Knew About Career Changes in My 30s
It all begins with an idea.
I5 Things I Wish I Knew About Career Changes in My 30s
By Robert Himelfarb
Making a career change in your 30s can feel like standing at a crossroads without a map. I’ve been there. After years of building experience in one field, I decided to pivot — and while it’s one of the best decisions I ever made, it came with unexpected challenges and lessons.
If you're thinking about switching careers in your 30s, here are five things I wish I had known before I took the leap.
1. It’s Not “Too Late” — It’s Just a Different Starting Point
In my 20s, I thought careers were like train tracks: pick one and stay on it. But the truth is, your 30s are a powerful time to reassess what really matters to you. You bring more maturity, self-awareness, and often a clearer sense of purpose.
Changing careers now doesn’t mean starting from scratch — it means starting smarter.
2. Your Transferable Skills Are More Valuable Than You Think
At first, I worried that none of my old experience would matter in a new field. I was wrong. Skills like communication, project management, leadership, and critical thinking carry huge weight across industries.
The key is learning how to frame your past experience in the language of your new field.
3. You'll Need to Learn (and Unlearn)
One of the most humbling parts of changing careers is going back into "student mode." Whether it's learning new tools, certifications, or just understanding a different work culture, there’s a learning curve.
But I also had to unlearn habits that no longer served me — like assuming seniority equaled job security. In a new field, humility and curiosity go a long way.
4. Networking Isn’t Optional — It’s Essential
I underestimated how important relationships would be in making the shift. Most of my best opportunities came not from applying to jobs, but from talking to people already in the space.
Informational interviews, coffee chats, and even cold outreach helped me learn the ropes and get noticed. If you're pivoting, invest time in your network — online and in person.
5. Your Identity Isn’t Tied to a Job Title
This was the hardest lesson. For years, I defined myself by what I did for a living. Changing careers felt like losing part of who I was. But I’ve learned that growth means letting go of old labels.
Today, I’m still evolving — and that’s the point. Your job title may change, but your values, strengths, and drive come with you.
Final Thoughts
If you're in your 30s and considering a career change, know this: it's not reckless, it's brave. It takes clarity, resilience, and a willingness to bet on yourself. It may not be easy, but it is worth it.
I’m Robert Himelfarb, and I’ve made that leap — and you can too.
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It all begins with an idea.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
Blog Post Title Four
It all begins with an idea.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.