Ask HN: What did you fail at and what did you learn from it?

I started a sheet metal and sign manufacturing company because I loved building things. I was obsessed with engineering, solving complex fabrication problems, and making every product as close to perfect as possible. I stayed deeply involved in the shop (from R&D to day-to-day production) and we were fortunate to have more than enough work to keep us busy. At the time, it felt like exactly what I wanted.

Five years later, I realized I'd made a mistake. I had built a business that depended on me instead of a business that could grow without me. The work I once loved had turned into routine, and I had spent so much time perfecting the craft that I neglected to build the company itself. That experience taught me that entrepreneurship isn't just about creating a great product - it's about creating systems, empowering people, and working on the business, not just in it.