Unprepared to Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurship isn't about having all the answers before you begin; it's about being willing to start and figuring it out as you go.

1. Embrace the Chaos of Starting

Starting a business rarely goes as envisioned. Sonya Barlow’s initial attempt to launch her community group, Like Minded Females, ended with 12 RSVPs turning into complete no-shows. Despite her careful planning, the day ended in disappointment and tears.

Yet, failure didn’t stop her. Instead of giving up, Sonya pushed forward by hosting two more events. By the third gathering, someone showed up, and that single connection became the spark for expanding the community. This shows that even messy beginnings can lead to eventual success when there's persistence.

Entrepreneurship isn’t about perfection from the outset. Progress starts when you take that first step, even if the circumstances feel chaotic. What matters is staying committed and continuing to show up.

Examples

• Sonya planned and executed her first brunch, which nobody attended—but she kept trying.
• Overcoming the first setback helped her build the LMF Network into a recognized community.
• Companies later approached her for engagements because of her growing platform.

2. Your Business Plan Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect

Many people hesitate to start a business because they feel unprepared. According to Sonya, long, detailed business plans are overrated. A good idea can be enough to start with just a basic plan in place.

Sonya outlines a four-step approach for refining a business idea: identify a problem, brainstorm possible solutions, make a simplified business outline using tools like Lean Canvas, and evaluate the feasibility of your solution. None of this has to be hyper-detailed—it just needs to be a framework you can build on as you go.

Using tools like customer personas, which paint a picture of your target audience, helps refine your offerings. Even if your ideas evolve, having a flexible plan means you’re already on the path to progress.

Examples

• Lean Canvas templates simplified Sonya’s approach to building her business plan.
• She initially thought her customer was young women like her but later adjusted to include anyone sharing similar struggles.
• Refining her ideas step by step allowed her to remain adaptable and innovative.

3. Build a Social Media Strategy

A social media presence can make or break a new business. When Sonya launched LMF Network’s Instagram account in 2019, her lack of strategy caused the account to get blocked. In 2020, she tried again—this time with success through proper planning.

Sonya’s three key lessons include creating a clear brand identity, demonstrating how your business solves customer needs, and tracking metrics like engagement rates. By dedicating a few hours every weekend to schedule posts and set themes, she built consistency and trust with her audience.

An online presence is not only for businesses but also for personal branding. Sonya’s active LinkedIn use opened countless doors for her, including speaking opportunities and high-profile collaborations.

Examples

• Sonya rebounded from her Instagram mishap with a focused relaunch strategy.
• She used LinkedIn to generate 85% of her business leads.
• Strategic posting on platforms led to more direct customer engagement.

4. Prioritize Networking

Sonya emphasizes the power of relationships for building opportunities. Most jobs and business deals come through personal connections rather than public listings.

When starting out, surround yourself with people who inspire and help you grow. Sonya encourages entrepreneurs to think of networking positively instead of fearing rejection. Setting goals for each interaction ensures purposeful connections rather than random chats.

Online tools like social media make it easier than ever to connect with like-minded individuals. Sonya recommends monthly touchpoints with valuable contacts to stay top of mind while nurturing professional relationships.

Examples

• Nearly 80% of jobs are filled through connections—Sonya’s network directly led to her early gigs.
• Her conversations online and offline helped grow her customer base.
• Monthly check-ins with top contacts helped her maintain valuable rapport with supporters.

5. Imposter Syndrome Is Normal

Feeling like a fraud happens to many, even successful entrepreneurs. Sonya admits to spending her first two years battling imposter syndrome, but she learned to manage these feelings using self-assessment.

Sonya encourages identifying personal patterns, such as self-imposed perfectionism or reluctance to ask for help. She created the “Three S’s” framework—Skills, Successes, and So What—to overcome moments of doubt and reinforce her sense of worth.

Everyone experiences self-doubt at some point, but recognizing it as a mental hurdle rather than reality helps you push forward.

Examples

• Sonya acknowledged her perfectionism and worked on setting realistic goals.
• The “Three S’s” exercise reminded her of times she used her strengths effectively.
• Behavioral studies show 70% of people encounter these feelings during their careers.

6. Good Work Norms Protect Your Well-Being

Entrepreneurs often push themselves too hard, leading to burnout. Sonya argues against the toxic culture of endless grind and instead advocates for healthier boundaries in work.

Her daily habits, such as reserving time during meals for non-work conversations and limiting calls to 30 minutes, ensure productivity without sacrificing personal health. Creating flexible work environments helps encourage mindfulness while still meeting deadlines.

As a founder, your health reflects directly on the business you build. Addressing mental health proactively sets a sustainable example for employees too.

Examples

• Stopping her work for meals gave Sonya time to recharge.
• Limiting call durations helped her maintain focus and efficiency.
• Flexible working arrangements reduced stress for Sonya’s team.

7. Say Yes Often to Opportunities

Sonya credits much of her success to saying yes, even when she didn’t feel ready. She refers to a concept she calls "strategic winging it"—daring to step into roles or projects she wasn’t fully prepared for.

Every "yes" is a potential learning opportunity. Sonya accepted speaking engagements that later enhanced her credibility and agreed to collaborations that helped expand her network. Even when tasks felt intimidating, doing them built confidence.

Leaning into challenges strengthens your capability over time, helping you adapt while staying open to new possibilities.

Examples

• Sonya delivered two TEDx talks after saying yes impulsively to the invitation.
• Accepting unexpected collaborations grew her company’s profile.
• “Winging it” let her develop new skills and navigate unfamiliar territory.

8. Community Building Creates Growth

Sonya didn’t start her business to sell products; she built a community to solve a personal challenge—her sense of isolation. This sense of belonging eventually turned into a structured platform attracting sponsorships and corporate attention.

Focus on fostering authentic connections. Building trust within your audience creates lasting bonds that evolve into partnerships or customers. Community growth requires regular engagement and clear communication with members.

When people see value in your community beyond commercial gain, they’re more likely to support it in the long term.

Examples

• The LMF Network began to address Sonya’s personal need for professional allies in tech.
• Growing the like-minded community attracted attention from larger companies.
• Community members spread awareness organically, fueling growth.

9. Testing Brings Clarity

Launching a business will involve trial and error. A clear vision might not emerge instantly, but testing different approaches helps refine what works for your audience.

Sonya started with a simple brunch idea, learned from failures, and progressively improved her hosting methods. This type of experimentation extended across her brand journey—from adjusting her messaging to improving event formats.

Test, analyze, and pivot accordingly to find what resonates most with customers. Progress comes from adapting based on feedback rather than chasing perfection upfront.

Examples

• Sonya’s third brunch event found success after tweaking her strategy.
• She switched online tactics to achieve better results on Instagram after an initial failure.
• Small adjustments allowed her to create sustainable structures over time.

Takeaways

1. Dedicate three hours each week to map out your social-media content plan while keeping your brand identity clear.
2. Follow the “3-2-1” networking rule and aim to connect with three new people monthly for six months.
3. Practice the “Three S’s” framework whenever self-doubt strikes: list your skills, recall a success story, and highlight its impact.