Last week I got a call from one of my long-time students. Over the years, I’ve mentored her in different ways, and at other times we’re just friends who swap voice notes about life and business.
She’s in the middle of a growth spurt right now, trying to make some big decisions about her business, and she asked me: “Do you think this next step is a good idea?”
Here’s what struck me: the step she is about to take was something I did several years ago and then worked very hard to undo it.
For me, that step was building my dream studio. At the time, it felt like the ultimate sign of success. But what I didn’t expect was how much it tied me down. I had a beautiful space, but I also had staff, overheads, and the pressure of keeping it all going. Eventually, I chose to undo it. And now, I value the freedom of working online so much more, the ability to take my work anywhere in the world, without being tied to four walls.
That is business in a nutshell, isn’t it?
The longer you’re in it, the more you realise it’s not about arriving at some final destination. It’s about the ride. It’s about who you’re surrounded by. And it’s about the constant cycle of building, changing, sometimes undoing, and always evolving into something better.
For years, my mindset was:
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If I could just get the better camera, then I’d finally be good enough.
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If I could just land an international wedding, then I’ve made it.
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If I could just build a studio, then I’d really be successful.
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If I could just sell the studio, then I’d finally be free.
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If I could just start selling online courses…
Always the if I could just.
And you know what? That never ends. That’s the nature of business. If you don’t love the challenge, the growth, the evolution, you’ll never last. But if you embrace it? That’s where the magic is.
This week I pulled out old hard drives and found seventeen years’ worth of work. Photos of my first home office. My previous team members. Milestones that once felt enormous, but now? They’re just markers along the way.
It made me emotional, honestly. Because it reminded me how much we’ve grown. How much has changed. And how important it is to keep changing.
Lately I’ve been watching Limitless on Netflix. (If you haven’t seen it, it’s worth a look.) What I love most is Chris Hemsworth’s willingness to learn something new at 44. That inspired me. Because that’s the goal, right? Keep learning. Keep evolving.
I look at someone like Kris Jenner and, whether you love her or not, you can’t deny she’s a master of evolution. Reinventing, adapting, staying relevant. That’s the job of an entrepreneur too.
As part of this, I’ve been embracing more play whenever I can. During the holidays, I took the kids to the Museum of Illusions in Cape Town. They’ve nailed the idea of adults and kids playing together, and it reminded me how much joy and creativity comes from stepping away from the grind.
So, if you’re in a season of growth or decision-making, here’s my encouragement:
Enjoy the ride. Enjoy the change. Enjoy the challenge.
Because that is the work of entrepreneurship.
Have a beautiful week. Keep going and I'm always rooting for you, no mater what season you're in!
x o x
Tam
