I knew that opening Zero Fox Marketing wasn’t going to be easy.  The longer hours, the uncertainty, the general craziness — those things did not surprise me.  The positive surely outweighs the negative.  I love serving my clients, and I like taking responsibility for my own success.

But what a ride it’s been!

Here are a few anecdotes and things that I’ve learned during my first six months in business.  I’m sharing them because I thought it might give my fellow business owners a trip down memory lane, or at least a little chuckle.

1. Business Taxes are Due on March 15

My first six months has been a giant lesson in one sure fact: you don’t know what you don’t know until you don’t know it.  Case in point: business taxes.

I have a great accountant.  I set my tax appointment for February, gathered all my paperwork, and had everything in order.  I thought I was on top of things, and way ahead of the game.

The accountant called back in early March to tell me that both my business and personal taxes were ready.  All I had to do was come into the office and sign them.  I was busy that week, so I put off the trip to the office.  I still had like a month, right?

The accountant called me a few days later to tell me I really had to come in and sign.  Then she left a voicemail with a similar message the next day.  I called back to let her know I was coming, and finally asked, “What’s the rush?  Don’t I have until April 15th?”

“No,” she replied.  “Your business taxes are due on March 15th.”

Well I’ll be darned.  I drove myself to the office and signed them that day.  Who knew?

2. The Cobbler’s Children Never Have Shoes

Trite, but true.

My original business plan included directives to write blog posts consistently, pursue local event opportunities, have a killer website, and be generally awesome at marketing for myself.

But then referrals and contacts generated enough work to get off the ground.  And business came from some unexpected sources.

I’ve spent more than a few nights of staying up too late to experiment with my own marketing.  (It’s 12:46am as I write this.)  I’ve still got a long way to go, but I’m building a foundation and a process.

It’s also taken discipline to adhere to my own philosophy about “giving zero fox about what doesn’t work,” and spending time and resources on what does.

It’s also given me a firsthand appreciation for clients who still find time to answer my emails and phone calls while running their own businesses.  You all amaze me!

3. An Entrepreneur’s Brain is Loud Almost All of the Time

I was talking with one of my best friends, who owns a photography business.

I asked her honestly.  “Does your brain feel loud all the time?”

She confirmed what I was feeling.  She also said that having a business was pretty similar to having another baby.  She’s right.

So know I’ve got three children (under 3 years of age).  And a husband.  And family.  And friends.

I’m lucky, but busy.

I’ve taken to achieving focus through exercise, particularly CrossFit.  I completed my first competition in April.  Here’s me, just making my brain a little quieter by doing a burpee over bar.

Christina quieting her brain

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Thanks to everyone who has been on this journey with me so far.  Here’s to the next six months and beyond!