7 years in business: Lessons from a laid-off designer who never meant to be an entrepreneur

Photo from 2019, the year that started this journey.

Seven years ago, I didn't set out to become an entrepreneur. I was laid off from my corporate job of 10 years, terrified, and Googling "how to freelance" at 2am while my son slept.

Today, I run a six-figure brand design business, teach other designers what I've learned, and work from wherever I choose. But this journey? It was anything but linear.

In early 2019, I invested $1,000 in a freelancing course while simultaneously applying for jobs because I was afraid to go all-in. I found an agency job and was decided to build the business on the side.

When I opened my business bank account, the banker asked what I expected to make that year.

I had no idea, so I said $10,000—just enough to make up for the pay cut I'd just agreed to. She looked at me and said, "Girl, you can do better than that."

She said that without knowing me. Without seeing my portfolio. Without understanding my experience. This stranger had more belief in me than I had in myself.

Here's what I learned over seven years: it wasn't my skills that were holding me back. It was my mindset.

I had 10+ years of professional experience with major brands like HGTV and Food Network. I knew my craft. But I didn't believe entrepreneurship was possible because I was a mom (no time), an introvert (networking? terrifying), an immigrant (I never dreamed this big), and a people pleaser (boundaries? what are those?). 

My revenue journey tells the real story: I went from making $5,000 in my first year to building a steady six-figure business. But the numbers only changed when my mindset did, and when I finally went all in two years later, faced with another layoff and the heartbreaking loss of my father.

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​7 lessons from 7 years

1. Moms can do it too (and don't need to apologize for it)
Early on, I attributed other people's success to them "having all the time in the world" because they weren't mothers. This limiting belief made everything harder.

The truth? Being a mom made me more efficient, more empathetic with clients, and more determined to create the life I wanted. I just had to stop apologizing for doing both things well.

2. Boundaries are not selfish—they're essential
One of the biggest revelations came when I learned about boundaries. Actual boundaries—in business and at home.

This concept was so foreign to me as the ultimate people pleaser that it opened up an entirely new world.

I'm still a work in progress, but now I block my mornings for myself. No calls before 10am. It feels revolutionary.

3. Networking is just talking to people (who knew?)
As an introvert, the word "networking" made me want to hide under a blanket forever. Zoom calls were a stretch. In-person events? Absolute horror.

But I pushed through. And you know what? The people I've met along the way have become my favorite part of this journey. These relationships have brought me clients, collaborations, and genuine friendships that sustain me.

4. You don't need more skills—you need more belief
I spent years thinking I needed one more course, one more certification, one more skill before I could charge what I'm worth or call myself an expert.

The skills were always there. What I needed was permission to believe in myself. To see what others saw in me: that I was worthy, capable, and talented.

Now I teach my students that talent is something we build as we go on this journey. You don't need to wait until you're "ready"—you grow into your expertise by doing the work.

5. The seeds you plant today won't bloom tomorrow (and that's okay)
Years into my journey, I started receiving emails and LinkedIn messages from seeds I'd planted long ago. A blog post someone read three years prior. A past coworker who'd been quietly watching my journey. A casual conversation that led to a referral years later.

Keep showing up. Keep sharing. You never know who's watching or when those seeds will bloom.

6. Your pricing reflects your self-worth
I started designing logos for $300. Today, I charge thousands for brand identity packages.

​The work didn't change dramatically. My skills were always there. What changed was my belief that I deserved to be compensated for years of experience, not just the hours it takes to create a logo—and the confidence I gained by putting myself out there even when it felt scary.

In seven years, I've served hundreds of clients and received multiple design awards. But the real achievement? Learning to value my own work.

7. Done is better than perfect
Sharing what I've learned was something I wanted to do to honor my dad's legacy of teaching and serving. I applied to teach at a community college but never heard back, so I decided to do it on my own.

I launched my first course terrified. I said "umm" between every sentence. I thought I was terrible.

Then 12 out of 19 students filled out my survey saying they loved it and wanted more.

​They didn't care that I wasn't the most polished presenter. They cared about the value I delivered. I would have missed that opportunity, and the chance to honor my dad if I'd waited to be perfect.

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By the numbers, I wasn't "supposed" to make it this far.

Only 63% of businesses make it to their third year, about 50% reach their fifth, and just 13.7% of small businesses ever hit six figures in annual revenue. Now add to that: I'm a Mexican immigrant, a woman, and a single mom.

But here I am. No year has ever looked the same, but every single one has unfolded better than I could have imagined before taking this leap.

If I could go back and tell 2018 Karla anything, it would be this: The hardest part of business isn't learning the skills—it's working on the mindset of becoming the person capable of running it.

Let me be honest: entrepreneurship is not easy. There was the Easter I cried in my car while stuffing plastic eggs because I was exhausted from doing it all alone. There were nights I worked past midnight after spending the day at the doctor with my sick son. And there were countless moments of overthinking everything, doubting myself, and worrying about whether the money would come.​

But here's what makes it worth it: I didn't have to ask anyone for permission to take care of my son. I could spend six months in Mexico with my mom after my dad passed away. I could move to a new city and start over as a single mom, knowing I could provide for us. This freedom came from building something that works with my life instead of against it.

Today, I'm pausing to say thank you. To the 117 clients (across 12 countries) who have trusted me with their brands and refer me to others. To the friends and family who cheer me on—on earth and in heaven. To my dad, whose legacy of teaching and serving I carry with me every day. To the little boy who inspires me every single day, and to my furry coworkers that keep me company in the wee hours of the night.

If you're reading this thinking "that could never be me"—that was me. For years. I saw others going for their dreams and making a living being creative and thought they had something special I didn't have. Some magic ingredient.

Here's what that magic ingredient actually was: courage. The willingness to believe it was possible, even when it felt impossible. You don't need to have it all figured out. You just need to take the next step. And sometimes, you just need to borrow the belief others have in you until you can believe it yourself.​
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