A few learnings:
- I got a bunch of immigration consultants, lawyers and other knowledgeable people into a WhatsApp group where they can exchange knowledge with each other. Now even civil servants joined to gather feedback and give advice. It helps me keep track of everything that's happening in the world of German bureaucracy. Sometimes just getting the right people together is incredibly valuable.
- I spread myself too thin and found myself stressing about work and all the things I "must" do. Even with a rock-steady, smooth-sailing, deadline-free business, you can experience self-inflicted stress. Sometimes you have to consciously chill out. My bills are paid. Everything else is a bonus. I should bring back "what are they gonna do, ask for a refund?" (Everything on the website is free)
- I don't work a lot, but I work every day. My little GitHub graph shows that I take two random days off per year, but that I also work when I travel. I'm not sure if I can fully disconnect, and I'm uneasy about that.
- I underestimated how valuable my audience is. I built a tool and it instantly had 100 conversions a day. I didn't market it; I just added it to the page. I didn't realize that I can just spin up successful new businesses just by mentioning them to my readers.
Many small businesses have thrived by embracing technology, optimizing digital presence, and fostering customer engagement this year. In a rapidly evolving landscape, staying agile and open to change has been a valuable lesson.
Let's continue sharing experiences and insights to help one another grow and succeed. Cheers to the resilience of small business owners!