Three years of Soulhub Freshie 💚 What I've learned from building a business from scratch!

Three years ago, I jumped out of my comfort zone, head first into an industry I'd never worked in (fitness & wellbeing), all whilst concurrently running my Training and Development Company, Human Incite. We fitted out a luxurious, high-tech studio, hired a brand new team, learned new systems, and built a business from the ground up.

Here's 15 things those three years taught me about creating something meaningful:

1. Silence the noise. Everyone has advice. Very few have actual experience. I learned to be discerning about whose counsel I sought and to trust my instincts when the noise got loud.

2. Stay true to your vision. But be flexible in how you get there. Know what you stand for, then adapt based on what your customers actually need.

3. Build a team that cares deeply. Skills can be taught. Passion can't. I've been incredibly fortunate to work with people who show up with their whole hearts, I'd be lost without them.

4. Treat your team like family. When people feel valued and supported, they give their best. Always! As a small business, Soulhub is more like my extended family (hopefully not dysfunctional) we deeply care for each other and each other's success.

5. Know your numbers. Margins are tight in this industry. You need to understand exactly where your money is going and reinvest strategically in the areas that will actually grow the business. Gut feel isn't enough, the data tells the real story.

6. Fail fast, learn faster. Not every initiative worked. But the ones that didn't taught me to let go quickly, adjust, and move forward without attachment to being "right."

7. Listen to your customers. Be prepared to change direction based on real feedback, not assumptions.

8. Embrace technology. Even when it's uncomfortable. The learning curve pays off.

9. Nurture your community. Our Soulmates aren't just customers, they're the heartbeat of this business. Investing in those relationships creates a culture that sustains you through the hard days. Giving back to our community through sponsorships, school sport and donating to local charities has also been very rewarding.

10. Build partnerships with other amazing local brands - together we are stronger and can elevate each other's offering and value.

11. Do the hard work. There's no shortcut. No hack. Just consistent, often unglamorous effort.

12. Ask for help. You can't do it alone. I wouldn't be here without the support of incredible people, including my daughters Mack and Matty, who designed this business with me and challenged me to take the leap. I also look for mentors who I can lean on and learn from.

13. Empower others. In a small business, there's always so much to do. Building a team you can trust and empower is the only way to scale and the most rewarding part of leadership.

14. Celebrate the wins. Even the small ones. They're fuel for the journey.

15. Set up systems. To be honest, this is the aspect we are now focusing on, as only now, years later, am I confident we have the right operating model.

To everyone who took a chance on Soulhub in those early days, thank you. Your belief has made all of this possible.

Here's to three years, and to building something that truly matters 💚