Eight years ago, I started my business with nothing more than my hygiene background, a whole lot of hope, and a long list of mistakes waiting to happen.
If I could go back and whisper in my own ear, I would have saved myself time, money, and a lot of unnecessary stress. That’s exactly why I want to share the eight biggest lessons I’ve learned—so you don’t have to spend years spinning in circles like I did.
Here’s 👇 the video if you want to watch the lesson.
Lesson 1: Don’t Try to Be Everything to Everyone
Lowering your prices or creating programs for “everyone” doesn’t build a business—it burns you out. When you try to please everyone, you end up helping no one. Build for your “easy yes” client and stop diluting your value.
Lesson 2: Everything Doesn’t Have to Be for You
I used to chase every shiny new strategy just because an “expert” said it worked for them. Big mistake. Learn, but don’t copy. Chew up the fish and spit out the bones. Your business should reflect your vision, not someone else’s blueprint.
Lesson 3: Slow Down Your Yeses
I used to say yes to everything—projects, collaborations, opportunities. The problem? I broke promises to myself. Momentum comes from constraint. Fewer, better priorities will move your business forward faster than endless yeses.
Lesson 4: Keep It Simple
I’ve spent thousands on tech, subscriptions, and “fancy” systems I didn’t need. Here’s the truth: you don’t need all the bells and whistles. You need two things: your myofunctional therapy education and the courage to tell humans in the wild that you can help them.
Lesson 5: Burnout Can Still Happen
Leaving hygiene doesn’t make you immune to burnout. If you build your life around your business, you’ll burn out in a different chair. The goal is freedom—so build your business around your life, not the other way around.
Lesson 6: Build for the Life You Want, Not the One You Have
Even when I was barely making money, I made decisions as if I was already running a six-figure business. That mindset shift changed everything. Think like your future self and build for the business you want to have—not the one you’re stuck in today.
Lesson 7: Watch Out for the 3 P’s
Perfectionism, people-pleasing, and procrastination—these three will kill your progress. Done is better than perfect. No is a complete sentence. And waiting for the “perfect time” will keep you broke.
Lesson 8: Vanity Metrics Don’t Pay the Bills
Likes, followers, and shares might feel good, but they won’t pay your mortgage or fund your retirement. Conversations, consultations, and conversions are the numbers that matter. Profitable > popular.
Final Thoughts
These eight lessons came from eight years of trial and error, but you don’t have to wait that long to figure it out. That’s why I built programs like the Ditch Hygiene Academy™ and the Myo Business Accelerator™—to help you skip the mistakes and build smarter, faster.
Which of these lessons hit home for you? If you’re ready to stop spinning and start building the business (and life) you’ve been dreaming about, now is the time.
Chat soon,
xo 😘,
Carmen
