What 6 Years of Business Has Taught Me About Success

Six years. Honestly, that still feels strange to say out loud.

Last month, Luna & Jade turned six years old, and I’ve found myself reflecting a lot lately — not just on the business itself, but on the person I was when I started it back in 2019.

When I first launched, I thought success looked a certain way. I thought it was about growth, numbers, constant productivity, and always reaching the next milestone. I thought successful business owners had everything figured out and never questioned themselves.

Now, six years later, I can confidently say… I had no idea what success actually meant.

What I Thought Success Would Look Like

When I started Luna & Jade I was full of excitement, ideas, and honestly, a lot of hope.

I thought success meant:

• Bigger sales every single month
• Constant growth
• Never slowing down
• Always being productive
• Hitting goals as quickly as possible

I also thought that if I worked hard enough, eventually things would feel “easy.”

Spoiler alert: they didn’t.

There were so many moments in the beginning where I compared myself to other businesses and wondered if I was behind. I thought everyone else knew exactly what they were doing while I was figuring things out one mistake at a time.

Looking back now, I realize most entrepreneurs probably feel that way at some point.

What Entrepreneurship Actually Looked Like

The reality of owning a business has looked very different than I imagined.

There have been incredible moments, moments where I felt proud, excited, and deeply grateful that something I built connected with people. And moments that felt defeating, hopeless, and like nothing I did was ever going to work.

Running a business means wearing every hat. It means making decisions when you’re unsure. It means continuing to show up even when life outside of work feels heavy too.

And if I’m being honest, some of the hardest seasons of my personal life happened while trying to keep a business running at the same time.

What I’ve learned is that entrepreneurship isn’t just about building a business. It’s about becoming someone stronger, wiser, and more resilient along the way.

The Biggest Lessons These 6 Years Have Taught Me

Consistency Matters More Than Perfection

One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that you do not have to do everything perfectly to be successful.

In the beginning, I spent so much time overthinking every little detail. Now I know that consistently showing up matters so much more than trying to be perfect. And some seasons I don’t consistently show up, and that’s ok too.

Slow and steady progress will always beat perfection.

Rest Is Productive Too

This one took me a long time to learn.

For years, I believed rest had to be earned. I thought slowing down meant I wasn’t doing enough.

But burnout changes your perspective quickly.

I’ve learned that stepping away, taking walks, spending time outside, and giving myself room to breathe actually helps me show up better. Not just in business, but in life too.

Some of my clearest ideas have come when I stopped staring at a screen and simply gave myself space to think.

Revenue Isn’t the Only Scoreboard

Don’t get me wrong revenue matters, but over time my definition of success has expanded beyond just numbers.

Success now looks like:

• Flexibility
• Peace
• Time with family
• Creating something meaningful
• Building a life I actually enjoy living

The older I get, the more I realize that constantly chasing “more” without enjoying your life along the way isn’t success at all.

Community Matters More Than I Expected

One of the best parts of these six years has been the people.

The customers who continue to support my business. The conversation with strangers. The encouragement from family and friends. And most importantly the meaningful relationships built along the way.

When I started, I thought I was just building a business. What I didn’t realize was how much community and connection would become part of it too.

Hard Seasons Change You

The hard seasons have changed me the most.

The stressful moments, the losses, the uncertainty, the seasons where I felt stretched thin emotionally and mentally. These moments forced me to reevaluate what truly mattered.

They taught me that success means very little if you sacrifice your health, your peace, or the people you love in the process.

How My Definition of Success Has Changed

Six years ago success looked like hustle. Now, success looks like balance.

Six years ago I wanted to prove something. Now, I want to build something sustainable.

Six years ago I thought success meant constantly doing more. Now, I understand the value of slowing down and appreciating what I’ve already built.

Success today looks quieter than I once imagined. And honestly? I think that’s a good thing.

What I’d Tell the Version of Me Who Started in 2019

I’d tell her that she doesn’t need to have everything figured out.

I’d tell her to stop comparing her journey to everyone else’s.

I’d tell her that growth takes time, mistakes are inevitable, and hard seasons won’t last forever.

I’d tell her to rest more, to trust herself more, and to celebrate small wins more.

And I’d remind her that success isn’t just about what you build, it’s also about who you become while building it.

Final Thoughts

Six years later, I’m incredibly grateful.

Grateful for every customer who has supported Luna & Jade. Grateful for the lessons. Grateful for the growth. Grateful even for the hard seasons that reshaped my perspective.

This business has taught me so much more than how to run a company.

It’s taught me resilience, patience, and most importantly, it’s taught me that success looks very different than I once thought it would.

And honestly? I’m so thankful for that.

As always, cheering you on.🖤

If this blog helped, make sure to follow @xomandyscott for more small business tips, advice, and encouragement along your journey.