69. Myths Associated with Entrepreneurship: The Truth About Starting a Business with Amanda Inglis
- Brittany Miller
- Aug 27, 2024
- 15 min read
Updated: Dec 22, 2025
Introduction: Why those myths persist — and why they matter
There are countless stories on social media selling a tidy picture of freedom, fast growth, and effortless wealth. For many women, and especially mothers considering entrepreneurship, those shiny narratives can feel irresistible. But beneath the glossy reels and motivational one-liners lie persistent myths that shape expectations, decisions, and emotional responses. In this article we’ll unpack the myths associated with entrepreneurship and replace them with clear, practical truths you can act on today.
We will explore how common beliefs — like “there’s a single right way to run a business,” “overnight success is possible,” or “if you don’t hustle 12 hours a day you’re failing” — lead to burnout, confusion, and wasted time. You’ll read stories and examples from real creative entrepreneurs that expose these myths, discover mental and tactical shifts that work, and get a realistic roadmap for building a business while keeping your life intact.
If we haven't met yet, I’m Brittany, an online marketing strategist for female entrepreneurs. I teach women how to make their entrepreneurial dreams a reality through smart, actionable marketing strategies that get them seen, loved, and paid. Whether you’re eager to DIY your way to success or hire professionals to help you along the way–my goal is to make sure you walk away with the clarity you need to see the results you desire and build a life you love.
Table of Contents
Myth 1 — There is one right business model and you must copy it
Myth 2 — You should always chase aggressive short-term goals
Myth 6 — You must do everything yourself to prove you're capable
Myth 7 — Success means you’ll feel fulfilled most of the time
Why industry “rules” don’t always apply to creative businesses
How to dismantle the myths associated with entrepreneurship in your daily life
What entrepreneurs (and content creators) often get wrong
Before we dive into specific myths, it helps to name the underlying pattern: many of the myths associated with entrepreneurship are simplified narratives designed to sell a solution. The narratives emphasize speed, certainty, and single-path answers because those hooks attract attention. But real business growth is complex, iterative, and messy. Once you accept that, you can start to design a business that fits your life rather than make your life bend to someone else’s marketing copy, running your own business will be a lot easier.
This blog is a summary of an incredible conversation I had with artist & creator Amanda Inglis, you can hear the full conversation on the Go Get Great podcast.
Myth 1 — There is one right business model and you must copy it
One of the most pervasive myths associated with entrepreneurship is the idea that if you replicate a successful creator’s steps exactly, you’ll achieve the same outcome. That rarely holds true. Industries, audiences, timing, personal strengths, and values differ. Copying an existing roadmap often creates friction because it’s not built for your voice, your zone of genius, or your life circumstances.
A better approach is to study frameworks, not scripts. Learn what works in general — how to test an idea, how to price, how to show up consistently — and then adapt those frameworks to your skills and goals. If you are an artist, for example, your timeline, product type, and customer journey will look very different than a productized service provider or a digital course creator. Accepting that variation frees you from chasing someone else’s version of success and lets you invent one that fits.
Often 1:1 personalized business coaching is better than purchasing a one-size fits all framework. If you're looking for support with your visibility and scaling. check out my coaching options.
Myth 2 — You should always chase aggressive short-term goals
Goal-setting is powerful, but relentless short-term targets can become a trap. Many of the myths associated with entrepreneurship focus on rapid milestones: hit six figures in 90 days, grow your audience by 10k this month, productize everything now. These pressure-filled timelines can push you to make short-sighted choices that don’t align with long-term sustainability.
Instead, think in seasons. Push hard in focused bursts for specific campaigns, then allow recovery and reflection. Be intentional with goals, but don’t let them eclipse the bigger purpose of your business. When you prioritize the long-term vision — the kind of client relationships, lifestyle, and impact you want — shorter-term metrics become guides rather than governors.
Myth 3 — You must be “ready” before you start
There’s a myth that you should wait until you have a perfect plan, a finished product, or a complete skillset before launching. That belief often leads to procrastination disguised as preparation. Real learning happens in public: when you launch, you get real feedback from real customers. This process reveals what you actually need to improve and where your energy creates the most value.
Being “ready” usually means you have enough clarity to conduct a test. Start with a minimum viable version of your offering and iterate. Launches don’t need to be dramatic; they need to be useful. Over time, the incremental feedback loop becomes your best teacher. The sooner you start, the faster you learn, and the less time you waste chasing perfect plans that rarely match reality.
No matter how much your prepare, things rarely go exactly as planned, the first time, or subsequent times. The reality of being an entrepreneur is learning to work with the uncertainty. not felling ready and adjust as you go.
Myth 4 — Growth must be fast to be meaningful
Social feeds reward speed and dramatic transformations, which reinforces another common myth associated with entrepreneurship: that slow growth equals failure. In reality, slow and steady growth often indicates a business that is resilient, adaptable, and deeply rooted in repeatable value.
Many sustainable businesses take years to develop client relationships, brand trust, and product-market fit. If your business feels slow, ask whether your foundations are solid: is your offering consistent? Do you have repeat customers or committed partners? Are you building systems? If the answer is yes, slow growth can be the healthiest sign of long-term viability.
I share that even after 2 years in business I still have foundational pieces to put in place in my business like creating and automating my systems. Building a business is a marathon, not a sprint.
Myth 5 — Hustle is the only path to success
The hustle culture message — work more, grind harder, sacrifice rest — is one of the most damaging myths associated with entrepreneurship. It measures commitment by hours logged instead of outcomes produced. This mindset punishes balance and excuses burnout as part of the entrepreneur glamor story.
Work quality trumps quantity. Focus on what moves the needle and protect your energy. Many entrepreneurs report that their most productive sessions happen when they are rested and grounded. A short, focused work session can deliver more value than an all-day slog. Design your week around high-leverage tasks, not just visible busyness. This was a lesson I had to learn the hard way as an entrepreneur, I can accomplish more in 3 hours when I'm well rested than I can by spending 8 hours powering through when I'm tired, hungry or unfocused,
Myth 6 — You must do everything yourself to prove you're capable
Pride and fear often keep founders from asking for help. The myth that you must be an island is common among new business owners and amplified among parents who feel the pressure to juggle all responsibilities. But running a business while maintaining a life requires support — and delegating is a strategy, not a weakness.
Consider outsourcing repetitive or specialized tasks (website maintenance, bookkeeping, shipping logistics) so you can spend time in your zone of genius. Delegation speeds growth and protects your creativity and mental bandwidth. Hiring help or trading tasks with a community member is an investment that pays off in focus and results.
If outsourcing and asking for help in your business isn't an option consider asking for help in your personal life so you have more time and energy to focus on your business, When I first started Brittany Miller Socials I asked my mom to come over 2 days a week to watch my kids, and my partner took on extra household responsibilities so I could work in the evening.
Myth 7 — Success means you’ll feel fulfilled most of the time
Many people start businesses expecting constant joy and liberation. The reality is that entrepreneurship includes seasons of stress, uncertainty, and grind. Feeling unfulfilled at times doesn’t mean you chose the wrong path — it means you’re human.
Fulfillment tends to arrive in moments: when a client says thank you, when a project comes together, or when you complete a long-term milestone. The trick is to measure success in compound gains over time, not daily emotional swings. Build rituals that anchor you on tough days and celebrate small wins consistently.
Friendships, feedback, and the garden metaphor
Relationships shift when you start a business. Some friends will grow closer, while others drift away. That natural change often surprises people who expect universal support. The truth is that business often forces you to re-evaluate your community and choose connections that align with your goals and values.
Think of your social circle as a garden. When you focus on short-term goals, you may pull weeds too aggressively — cutting off potential relationships that could bloom later. When you plan for long-term growth, you leave space for varied connections to take root. Some will become customers, collaborators, or cheerleaders; others will simply remind you of where you came from.
Feedback is essential, but not all feedback is equal. Surround yourself with people who offer constructive criticism and solutions, not constant skepticism. Most importantly, remember the final decision is yours: collect input, then choose what aligns with your values and brand.
This may look like distancing family who don't understand or aren't supportive for a season. It's not always easy, but it's necessary for your mental health as you grow your business,
Why industry “rules” don’t always apply to creative businesses
Many creative entrepreneurs assume that business books and incubator programs will hand them a replicable blueprint. While training programs teach frameworks that are useful, they rarely account for the unique rhythms of creative work. For example, an oil painter who spends months on a single piece cannot productize output the same way a digital illustrator can, this was an example Amanda shared from her own experience.
Instead of rigid rules, use guiding principles: keep quality consistent, communicate timelines clearly, and price for the value you deliver. Your ideal business model will likely be hybrid and evolving. If you create work that connects across diverse audiences, you may find that a prescriptive “target avatar” model doesn’t apply — and that’s okay.
Managing energy and structure as a parent-entrepreneur
Running a business while raising children requires a different approach to productivity. Instead of matching a 9-to-5 framework, build a flexible schedule that honors childcare rhythms, energy cycles, and creative needs.
That might mean working in focused pockets: early mornings, school hours, or late nights. The aim is not to cram more hours but to align your most demanding tasks with when you have uninterrupted focus.
Some practical strategies I've used as a mom include :
Defining non-negotiable family time and protecting it.
Designating “deep work” blocks where you turn off notifications and focus solely on creative or revenue-generating tasks.
Outsourcing household tasks or administrative work to free up mental space.
Setting realistic expectations with clients and partners about response times and delivery windows.
It's not a perfect system and rarely do my days or weeks look the same but having specific focuses help me adjust to ever changing schedules. I share more time about balancing a business as a mom in this podcast episode:
Guilt is a feature of identity change, not failure
Guilt often shows up for parents who start a business: guilt about time away from kids, guilt about asking for help, guilt about not meeting self-imposed productivity standards. That guilt is usually a signal of internal values shifting. Rather than trying to eliminate guilt entirely, learn to manage it with practical trade-offs and kindness.
Reframe your investment in the business as an investment in the family’s future. Ask yourself: what opportunities does this work create for my family in five years? Also normalize asking for swapping childcare or help from community members when possible. Guilt fades when you see the tangible benefits your work brings over time.
How to dismantle the myths associated with entrepreneurship in your daily life
Understanding the myths is the first step. The next step is to replace them with practices that create clarity, momentum, and healthy boundaries. Here are practical actions you can implement immediately:
Swap perfection for iteration: Launch minimum viable offers and iterate based on customer feedback.
Shift from time-based to outcome-based metrics: Track the results that matter (leads, revenue, repeat clients) rather than hours spent.
Design your business around your zone of genius: Delegate or outsource tasks outside that zone.
Build a flexible but protected schedule: Structure your week for deep work and family time with clear boundaries.
Choose feedback sources wisely: Balance supportive critique with voice that respects your vision.
Measure progress in seasons: Use quarterly reviews to adjust strategy instead of daily goal guilt.
Invest in personal practices: Journaling, meditation, or a short morning ritual can dramatically improve decision-making and energy management.
I fund it helpful to learn about the different types of imposter syndrome so I could identify them when they pop up and more easily move through the fear and uncertainty. Tune into this episode of the Go Get Great podcast to learn more.
Decision-making rules to keep business and life aligned
When faced with conflicting advice, use a few simple decision rules to stay centered:
Will this decision preserve creative capacity and energy? If not, reconsider.
Does this choice reflect my core values and the experience I want to offer customers?
Is this scalable in a way that feels honest to my craft?
Can I test this idea small before fully committing resources?
Examples from the creative world: how different strategies look in practice
Artists, makers, and other creators offer clear examples of how to defy conventional myths and build viable businesses. Some artists choose galleries and curators to handle sales and logistics so they can focus on producing work. Others choose to make small runs of prints or products that complement original work but don’t replace the primary art.
One effective pattern is to identify core offerings (original pieces) and complementary revenue streams (prints, collaborations, licensing). Use partnerships and specialists for operations you don’t want to master. This combination preserves artistic time, reduces overwhelm, and respects the unique production schedule of creative work.
How to measure real progress
Progress in a business should be measured by meaningful indicators, not by how many tasks you checked off. Some practical metrics to watch include:
Revenue per month and revenue growth rate
Average order value and repeat purchase rate
Time spent creating versus supporting activities
Number of meaningful client conversations
Personal wellbeing indicators: energy levels, sleep quality, family satisfaction
Combine business metrics with personal metrics to get the full picture. Building a business that allows you to be present at home and fulfilled at work is a composite measure — it’s not one number, it’s a set of aligned outcomes.
Practical templates you can use this week
Use these bite-size templates to replace myth-driven behaviors with intentional actions:
30-Minute Studio Sprint: Turn off notifications, set a 30-minute timer, and complete one small but high-value task (a single painting detail, three marketing captions, one outreach email).
Weekly Review Ritual: Spend 20 minutes each Sunday answering three questions: What went well? What needs to change? What is one priority for the week?
Delegation Map: List every task you currently do. For each, mark as Keep / Delegate / Automate. Choose one item to delegate this month.
Feedback Filter: When you receive advice, ask: Is this actionable? Does it align with my long-term goal? If yes to both, add it to a test list; if not, file it away.
How to build a support system that actually supports you
Support isn’t one-size-fits-all. A good support system includes practical help, emotional encouragement, and professional guidance. Consider a mix of:
Family or partner support for childcare or household tasks
Virtual assistants for admin work
Accountants or fulfillment partners for financial and shipping logistics
Fellow founders or creative peers for emotional support and idea exchange
Ask for help specifically and in manageable chunks. Instead of saying “Can someone help with my business?” try “Can you watch the kids for two hours on Wednesday so I can finish a commission?” Specificness makes it easier for people to say yes.
When trends and “quick wins” hurt more than they help
Marketing trends promise quick wins, but chasing every new tactic can dilute your brand and distract you from what matters. If a trend aligns with your values and can be tested quickly without derailing other priorities, go for it. If it requires a full rebrand or weeks of effort with uncertain payoff, consider whether your time might be better spent strengthening core offerings.
Remember: trends are temporary. A resilient business rests on timeless strengths — consistent quality, clear communication, and authentic connection with customers.
What to do when you feel like you’re failing
Everyone experiences doubt. When you feel like you’re failing, try this three-step reset:
Pause and breathe. Take a short break to emotionally decompress.
Check the data. Look at your recent metrics to find objective signals (orders, reach, replies).
Take one small corrective action. Test one change for a week and reassess.
If the problem is not tactical but emotional, talk to a peer or a coach. Sometimes an external perspective clarifies whether you’re in a temporary dip or a misaligned path.
How to balance ambition and contentment
Ambition and contentment aren’t mutually exclusive. You can be driven and still grateful, strategic and still present. The balance looks like naming long-term aspirations while establishing short-term practices that protect your wellbeing. When goals cause chronic anxiety, slow down and evaluate what side benefits you’re actually pursuing — status, faster timelines, or security? Name those drivers and design healthier paths to get them.
Common pitfalls and how to sidestep them
Watch out for these recurring traps:
Perfection paralysis: Ship imperfectly and iterate.
Scope creep: Avoid adding features that don’t support your main offer.
Advice overload: Limit yourself to two trusted mentors and one peer group.
Closing thoughts: Design a business that fits your life, not the other way around
Debunking the myths associated with entrepreneurship frees you to build something authentic and sustainable. Instead of chasing someone else’s formula, define success on your terms. Protect your energy, delegate where it matters, test quickly, and invest in relationships that support growth.
Entrepreneurship is a process of continual learning. Expect evolution. Expect friction. Expect moments of exhilaration and moments of doubt. That doesn’t mean you failed — it means you’re growing something real. Don't forget to check out more episodes of the Go Get Great podcast for tips and practical strategies to get seen, loved, and paid online without living in hustle mode.
FAQ About Myths Associated with Entrepreneurship
How do I know if I'm believing a myth rather than following sound advice?
Ask whether the advice respects your values, timeline, and creative process. If a recommendation promises instant success, requires drastic compromise, or pressures you to abandon your strengths, treat it skeptically. Look for testable steps and reversible decisions rather than one-way commitments.
Can I realistically grow a business while raising young children?
Yes. Many entrepreneurs successfully build businesses while parenting by designing flexible schedules, outsourcing tasks, and protecting deep work blocks. Prioritize outcomes over hours and accept that your work rhythm will differ from a traditional 9-to-5.
Update: Brittany Miller Socials is celebrating 4 years in business, I now have 5 kids and still run a successful business. It is possible, it just takes intentional planning.
Is it ever okay to follow someone’s exact business model?
It can be a helpful starting point, but it rarely fits exactly. Use others’ models as inspiration: extract core principles, then adapt those principles to your strengths, audience, and constraints. Always test in small steps before scaling.
What should I focus on first: goals or habits?
Start with habits. Sustainable daily or weekly habits compound into results and make goal achievement more likely. Build simple routines for marketing, creation, and review before chasing large targets.
How do I set boundaries with friends and family who don’t understand my business?
Be direct about your needs and limits. Explain the specific ways they can help (childcare, feedback, encouragement) and set clear time boundaries for work. Over time, consistent communication helps others understand and respect your priorities.
What are the best tasks to outsource first?
Outsource tasks that drain your energy or require specialized skills you don’t want to learn, for me that's bookkeeping, website maintenance, shipping logistics For others it's content creation or administrative email management. Freeing up even a few hours weekly can dramatically increase your creative output.
How long does it typically take to see traction?
It varies widely by industry, offering, and audience. Some ventures find early traction in months; others take several years to build momentum. Focus on consistent testing, customer conversations, and small wins rather than a fixed timeline.
How do I protect my energy while still being consistent online?
Batch content creation, schedule posts, and choose presence strategies that match your bandwidth. Prioritize meaningful engagement over constant visibility. Quality and authenticity build sustainable connections more than nonstop posting.
When should I hire a coach or mentor?
Hire guidance when you need targeted expertise or accountability and you can act on advice. A coach accelerates learning by helping you avoid common mistakes and clarifying priorities. Ensure the coach’s approach aligns with your values before committing.
What is one practical step to start dismantling myths associated with entrepreneurship today?
Choose one myth you’re currently believing and run a one-week experiment that contradicts it. For example, if you believe hustle equals progress, schedule two deep 30-minute focused sessions and protect the rest of your day. Observe what actually happens and let data guide your next steps.
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00:00 Intro
4:26 Lies about Entrepreneurship
8:00 Goal driven businesses
13:00 Friendships in business
17:00 The business planning process
22:30 Improving yourself helps your business
31:30 Experiencing guilt in business
38:00 Getting help
48:15 Wrap up
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