Things I wish someone had told me before I opened The Ruby Orchard!
IF ONLY I KNEW…
Opening a business is exciting, terrifying, empowering and exhausting — often all at once. When I first opened the doors to The Ruby Orchard, I was full of ideas, passion and optimism… but there were so many things I could only learn by living them.
If I could sit down with my younger self — or with you, if you’re at the beginning or somewhere in the messy middle — these are the things I wish someone had gently told me sooner.
1. Don’t rely too heavily on any one member of your team
Once someone is trained, confident and helping to run your business day-to-day, it’s easy to lean on them. . But people grow, lives change, and eventually, they move on. That’s not a failure, it’s simply life. Every person who works for you brings different strengths, skills and perspectives. Learn from them while you have them. Allow them to contribute, grow and leave their mark — and then be open to welcoming someone new who will teach you something different all over again.
2. People will copy what you’re doing
This one can sting. You’ll pour your heart into an idea, a look, a way of doing things — and suddenly you’ll see it reflected elsewhere.
Take a deep breath and remind yourself: copying is a form of admiration. Instead of staying stuck in frustration, channel that energy into evolving, refining and leading. Be brave enough to move forward, not backwards. Leaders don’t follow — they innovate.
3. Learning never stops (and that’s actually a gift)
As Dr. Seuss so beautifully said:
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
In a previous career of mine, reading meant policies, procedures and paperwork — which I avoided at all costs. Now, reading books, articles and business stories is part of my everyday life. There is always something new to learn, and always someone ahead of you — and behind you — to learn from.
4. Marketing is really hard work
Marketing doesn’t magically happen once your doors open or your website goes live. It’s slow, often invisible work — showing up consistently, day after day, even when it feels like no one is listening. It’s trying, testing, tweaking and starting again. And then doing it all over tomorrow. Progress comes from small, steady efforts — not overnight success.
5. Your brand is so much more than a name or a logo
Your brand is who you are. It’s what you stand for, how you communicate, what you offer, and how people feel when they walk into your space or interact with you online.
It’s the expectations people have of you — and whether you meet them. A strong brand takes time, intention and consistency to grow. It evolves with you, and it requires ongoing care and attention.
6. Some things just won’t work — and that’s okay
Some ideas will fail. Some products won’t sell. Some decisions will feel right at the time and disappoint you later. I wish I had known how normal this is from the beginning.
In my case, there were products I bought for resale that simply didn’t move — at all. Knowing this sooner would have saved me a lot of self-doubt and disappointment. Failure isn’t personal; it’s information. Learn from it and keep going.
To all the business owners, dreamers and doers — good luck. This journey isn’t easy, but it is worth it. You’re building something brave, something meaningful… and that matters.