I've learned that one of the important things in the early stages of starting my own business is changing my social circle. It may sound harsh, but it's necessary. When I was working for someone else, my social circle was made up of people with stable incomes and we would talk about things like the stock market, vacations in Europe and so on, often while dining at fancy restaurants.

But when you don't have a stable income, things change. You need to control costs, decrease spending and don't have as much to talk about with that kind of social circle. Additionally, if my social circle includes my former colleagues, I feel the pressure of their unspoken questions about whether I made the right choice in leaving my job to start my own business.

On the other hand, if I spend time with other entrepreneurs, I find that we support each other and exchange ideas and "hacks," which helps me save my precious cash reserves for my venture.

Advice to my younger self

When starting my own business, it's important to reevaluate my social circle and spend more time with other entrepreneurs. Being in a community of like-minded individuals who understand the unique challenges and triumphs of starting a business can serve as a support group, similar to an Alcoholics Anonymous group, where we can share our experiences, offer support and encouragement. It helps us to stay focused, motivated and stay away from the pitfalls that may cause the downfall of our business.