8 Lessons That Built My Glitter Empire

She Believed She Could… So She Said No (and Sent a Lawyer When Needed)

Entrepreneurship has taught me a lot.
Accounting, supply chains, marketing funnels… blah blah yes, that stuff matters.

But honestly?

The real lessons came from the plot twists:

• Saying no even when the money looked shiny

• Choosing peace over profit

• Realising “women supporting women” sometimes has a footnote

• Learning your gut is basically a board member

• Discovering that legal battles build thicker skin than gym weights

Let’s talk about it.

Lesson 1: Saying No Is a Flex

Once upon a time, I said yes to everything.

Somewhere between burnout smoothie and anxiety confetti, I learned:
If a project doesn’t align with our mission, our ethics, or the energy we’re building, it’s a no.

Not “sorry, maybe later.”
Not the shaky polite yes you regret immediately.

Just no.

Protecting your brand > pleasing strangers.
Protecting your sanity > chasing every shiny cheque.

It turns out the most powerful position isn’t “booked and busy”,
it’s selective and sovereign.

Lesson 2: Peace Over Profit

There’s money everywhere.
Peace? Rare. Precious. Found only when you refuse deals that cost you your wellbeing or your values.

I don’t want the bag if it comes with anxiety, misalignment, or a brand partnership that makes my soul whisper “absolutely not, babe.”

Call me dramatic, but I didn’t build a business to be spiritually bankrupt while financially thriving.

I'd rather sleep well than chase every coin.
I'd rather grow beautifully than aggressively.
And yes, I will happily walk away from revenue if it means keeping my energy clean and my direction clear.

Peace is profit.
Just not the kind you can screenshot for LinkedIn.

Lesson 3: Former People-Pleaser, Current Boundary Weapon

Hi, yes, recovering “I’ll do it, don’t worry!” girl here.

Now I trust the vibe.
If something feels off, it is off.

Boundaries aren’t rude.
They’re self-respect with lip gloss on.

Lesson 4: Women in Business - Bless Them, But Also…

There are women who cheer for you like you’re headlining Glastonbury.
There are others who grow quiet when your shine gets brighter, and that’s okay. Journeys are different, insecurities are human.

But here’s my truth:

Real ones don’t panic when someone else shines, they’re too busy building.

Some stay.
Some step back.
Both are lessons, not losses.

I’m here for the builders, the collaborators, the ones who clap even when they’re climbing too.

Lesson 5: Sometimes You Have to Stand Your Ground

Not every chapter of building a brand is creative shoots and growth milestones.
Sometimes it’s documents, deadlines, and learning legal language you never planned to know.

And here’s something I’ve learned the hard way:

People don’t take IP seriously, but it’s literally your brand’s backbone.

Your name, your ideas, your identity, they’re assets.
Not vibes, not logos, not “cute branding”, assets.

And if you wouldn’t leave your front door unlocked, you shouldn’t leave your intellectual property unprotected either.

We didn’t defend our brand because we enjoy legal drama.
We did it because when you build something from nothing, you protect it.

It was hard.
It was draining.
It tested patience, confidence, and bank accounts.

But standing up for what you built? Worth it.
Not every battle is worth fighting… but the ones protecting your name and reputation absolutely are.

And yes, we came out on the right side.

Not because we shouted the loudest,
but because we stood steady, stayed factual, and believed in our work.

Lesson 6: 🌱 Trust the Slow Build

Most of the real magic happens quietly.

Small consistent steps.
Steady demand.
A community built one believer at a time.

Hype fades.
Foundations last.

Lesson 7: 🔋 Energy Management > Time Management

A rested founder is a powerful founder.

Sometimes productivity is sleep.
Sometimes strategy is a walk and a matcha.
Sometimes the CEO day is… off.

You don’t scale chaos.
You scale clarity.

Lesson 8: 📣 Celebrate Wins - Loud or Soft

Tiny wins count.
Quiet progress still sparkles.

Celebrate a big collaboration AND the warehouse email that didn’t give you stress hives.

Joy compounds too.

Final Thought: Power With Softness > Hustle With Exhaustion

You can build big without burning out.
You can grow without grinding yourself into glitter dust.
You can choose peace, values, rest, and still win wildly.

This chapter isn’t hustle culture.
It’s aligned culture, sparkle edition.

I don't want fast success.
I want right success.

I’ll be over here building, protecting my peace, and scaling with intention, one aligned yes at a time.