Lessons

EXPERIMENTATION

EXPERIMENTATION

EVOLUTION

EVOLUTION

Overview

"Lessons" is a journey through the projects I’ve attempted over the years, showcasing my relentless drive to create, innovate, and experiment. From handmade goods sold door-to-door as a child to modern ventures in dropshipping, social media management, and NFTs, these experiences represent the trial-and-error process that defines every entrepreneur.

The common thread? Ambition, curiosity, and an eagerness to push boundaries, even when resources were limited or the odds stacked against me. While some of these ventures brought measurable wins, others taught me hard but invaluable lessons that I now carry into every new project.

Solution

Every venture was an opportunity to turn an idea into reality, often starting from scratch and relying on creativity and resourcefulness. Here’s what I built—and what I learned along the way:

Ages 7-9: Sugar Pie Baby Lips

  • A handmade cosmetics business marketed through my YouTube channel and sold at school.

  • Outcome: Earned $2,500 and gained early exposure to marketing, branding, and leveraging community networks for sales.

  • Lesson: How to turn a passion project into a profit through effective storytelling and direct sales.

Ages 7-9: Gems on the Loose

  • A small-scale jewelry “store” run out of my bedroom, where I crafted and sold handmade pieces.

  • Outcome: Earned $350, but struggled with scaling production and managing inventory.

  • Lesson: Importance of sustainable production and managing supply-demand dynamics.

Age 8: Handmade Easter Baskets

  • Created custom seasonal baskets and sold them locally during Easter.

  • Outcome: Earned $650 by capitalizing on a seasonal market.

  • Lesson: Timing and niche targeting are critical to maximizing sales opportunities.

Ages 10-16: YouTube Channel

  • Launched a channel to break into the influencer and cosmetics market, networking at U.S. conferences and creating consistent content.

  • Outcome: Invested $15,350 but earned only $7,450, with limited traction despite networking efforts.

  • Lesson: Success requires not only great content but also relentless consistency, platform adaptability, and a clear niche.

Age 14: Sleekwanderlust Dropshipping Store

  • A Shopify-based online store selling curated products via dropshipping.

  • Outcome: Earned $150 but struggled with low-quality suppliers and insufficient marketing.

  • Lesson: Reinforced the need for clear branding, quality control, and a solid pre-launch strategy.

Ages 14-16: "Class" DJ SoundCloud Artist

  • Produced and released house music tracks on SoundCloud under the name "Class."

  • Outcome: Gained some traction but did not generate any revenue.

  • Lesson: Creative projects need strong marketing, clear goals, and a plan to monetize for sustainability.

Ages 14-16: Poshmark Resale Business

  • Purchased secondhand clothing from thrift stores and resold items through Poshmark.

  • Outcome: Earned $13,450, proving the value of sourcing undervalued goods and remarketing them effectively.

  • Lesson: Taught me the fundamentals of flipping and the power of targeted, niche markets.

Ages 18-19: Amazon FBA

  • Attempted to scale e-commerce through Amazon FBA.

  • Outcome: Minimal financial return due to high competition and lack of differentiation.

  • Lesson: Differentiation and niche targeting are essential in oversaturated markets.

Ages 18-21: Bi-Weekly Podcast

  • Hosted a podcast discussing life topics but lacked external collaborators to keep the format engaging.

  • Outcome: Earned $1,550 in ad revenue but ended due to burnout.

  • Lesson: Collaboration and shared creative energy are crucial for sustaining long-term projects.

Ages 19-20: Furniture Flipping

  • Bought and refurbished used furniture to resell for profit.

  • Outcome: Generated $9,500 but faced challenges with transportation, tools, and storage.

  • Lesson: Logistical planning is essential for physically demanding ventures.

Ages 19-21: Social Media UGC

  • Earned $5,460 through Instagram brand deals and partnerships.

  • Outcome: Generated decent income but struggled with work-life balance.

  • Lesson: Influencer success requires balancing personal identity with brand commitments.

Age 20: Etsy White-Label Print Business

  • Sold print-on-demand accessories, art, and white-label ebooks.

  • Outcome: Earned $5,780 with low upfront investment.

  • Lesson: Print-on-demand models can be lucrative when paired with unique design and efficient marketing.

Ages 20-21: Outside Collective NFT Project

  • Launched an NFT project but failed to gain traction due to unclear utility and poor marketing.

  • Outcome: Earned $0 but gained valuable insight into the rapidly evolving NFT space.

  • Lesson: Utility and community engagement are everything in emerging markets like Web3.

Age 22: Bambi Pets Print-on-Demand Store

  • Attempted to launch a pet e-commerce brand with Shopify but struggled due to rushed execution and poor branding.

  • Outcome: Earned $350 but ultimately shut down due to operational and strategic challenges.

  • Lesson: The importance of a cohesive brand experience and detailed pre-launch planning.

Ages 18-22: Social Media Management/Early Sero Social

  • Provided marketing and social media services for businesses, generating $250,000 in revenue.

  • Outcome: Successful financially but unsustainable due to lack of work-life balance and challenges with employee management.

  • Lesson: Scaling a service-based business requires effective delegation and boundary-setting.

Results

While many of these projects didn’t meet my long-term goals, the lessons were transformative:

  1. Execution over ideas: Great concepts fail without strong planning, as seen with rushed launches like Bambi Pets.

  2. Collaboration is critical: Solo efforts like my podcast lacked the creative energy and support a partner could provide.

  3. Know your niche: Projects like Poshmark and Etsy succeeded by targeting clear, underserved markets and sectors that I loved.

  4. Sustainability matters: The overwhelming commitment required for social media management proved that work-life balance is as important as profitability.

  5. Fail fast, learn faster: Every misstep helped refine my entrepreneurial instincts, from the importance of strong branding to understanding emerging markets like NFTs.

Final Reflection:
"Lessons" is a testament to the power of experimentation. Each of these projects—whether they brought financial success or not—was an opportunity to learn, adapt, and grow. They’ve shaped me into the entrepreneur I am today, with a deep appreciation for creativity, strategy, and the journey itself.


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