Starting my own company, Piggyback Studios, was both exhilarating and humbling. I knew it would be hard, but I didn’t fully appreciate just how tough it could be. Over the past year, I’ve learned so much about business—and life in general—and I'd love to share some key lessons I’ve picked up along the way. If you’re thinking of starting your own agency, these tips might save you some pain, or at least give you some insight into the challenges and rewards you’ll face. Here are six lessons I’ve learned during my first year in business:
1. Business is About Building Relationships
When I first started Piggyback Studios, I was all about building the perfect website and optimizing the code to perfection. I was focused on the product itself, assuming if I built something amazing, clients would come flocking. But I quickly learned that business is really about relationships—and that’s not just with clients. You need to actively talk about your company and engage with potential clients. It’s easy to think that having a great product speaks for itself, but that’s not the case. The proverbial “tree falling in the forest” comes to mind. If you aren’t reaching out to people, building relationships, and maintaining a consistent presence, it’s like your company doesn’t exist. Networking and actively seeking clients of all sizes became an essential part of our strategy. In the end, you need people to know who you are, what you do, and why you can solve their problems. The relationships you cultivate will ultimately sustain your business. Personal anecdote: I remember our first big pitch after we launched. We had a great portfolio and a killer demo, but what really won the deal was the relationship we had built with the client beforehand. We’d reached out, offered value, and kept in touch even when there wasn’t immediate work. When the opportunity came up, they trusted us because we’d invested time in getting to know them—not just selling to them.
2. Stay Out of Debt—Bootstrap If You Can
Debt is the silent killer of most small businesses. I’ve seen a lot of companies struggle under the weight of loans, credit, and endless financial stress. We decided early on to bootstrap everything and keep costs as low as possible. This meant being resourceful, but it also meant we didn’t have to answer to anyone else. No venture capitalists or loan officers breathing down our necks. We could move at our own pace. Lesson learned: Bootstrapping isn’t glamorous, but it forces you to be strategic and efficient. It also means you control your company’s direction without the pressure of paying off huge debts. The first year was tight financially, but by staying in the black, we avoided getting stuck in a cycle of borrowing just to stay afloat. Personal anecdote: There was a moment in our early days when I almost caved and applied for a small business loan. It seemed like a good short-term fix. But something in my gut told me not to do it. Instead, we took on a couple of small, short-term projects and got creative. It worked, and we managed to avoid debt for the time being. That was a turning point for me. I realized that being scrappy and self-reliant, though uncomfortable at times, was the best way to build a strong foundation.
3. Use Technologies You’re Familiar With
There’s always a new, shiny tool or technology that promises to revolutionize the way you work. But here’s the thing: stick to what you know. In the beginning, we experimented with a lot of different tech stacks—trying to follow every trend that came along. But I quickly learned that the best tool is the one you’re most comfortable with. If you’re fast with Ruby on Rails and can build a complex app in a weekend, then don’t switch to Next.js just because it’s the next big thing. Efficiency and productivity are everything when you're running a small business. In production environments, you want to work with tools you can debug quickly, not the latest trend that might be "prettier" or "more scalable." Lesson learned: Use technologies that allow you to move fast and solve problems efficiently. Your productivity will be better, and your stress level will be lower.
4. The Power of the Follow-Up
A lot of the business opportunities we’ve landed have come from follow-ups. I can’t tell you how many times we thought a lead was dead, only to send a quick follow-up email or call a few weeks later, and suddenly the conversation reopens. People get busy, priorities shift, and sometimes an email or message just gets lost. Following up doesn’t mean being annoying; it means showing persistence and building trust. Lesson learned: Don’t be afraid to follow up. It’s a simple but incredibly effective way to keep conversations going and stay top of mind with potential clients. A well-timed follow-up can lead to new opportunities that you might have missed otherwise.
5. The Power of Owning Up to Mistakes
There’s no way to avoid mistakes—especially when you’re just starting out. The key is owning up to them. Whether it’s a missed deadline or a communication breakdown with a client, transparency is critical. It can be tempting to deflect blame or hide mistakes, but doing so will only damage your reputation in the long run. We’ve had a few slip-ups in the past year—things I wish we could have done better—but each time we’ve taken responsibility, communicated openly, and worked hard to fix the issue, our clients appreciated it. And in the end, it strengthened our relationships.
6. The Power of Diversification
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from the first year, it’s that multiple revenue streams are a lifesaver. The months when business is slow, or clients are hesitant to commit, can feel like a big challenge. That’s why it’s so important to diversify your sources of income. For us, that means offering services like web design, digital marketing, content creation, and even small-scale consulting. It’s about creating stability for yourself and your team, ensuring that when one revenue stream dips, others are there to pick up the slack.
Bonus Tip: Move Fast and Break Things
There’s a saying in Silicon Valley: “Move fast and break things.” While this isn’t always applicable to every business, there’s something to be said about not overthinking every decision. If you wait until everything is perfect, you’ll never get started. Take risks, move quickly, and learn from your mistakes. Perfection is the enemy of progress.
Closing Thoughts
Looking back on this first year, I feel a mix of pride and exhaustion. There were tough moments—times when I thought we wouldn’t make it, and others when I felt like we were on top of the world. The truth is, starting a business is harder than I imagined, but it’s also one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had. If you're starting your own agency or business, I hope these tips help you avoid some of the pitfalls I encountered and give you a clearer idea of what to expect. The road is never smooth, but with persistence, a little bit of grit, and a focus on building real relationships, you’ll be in a good position to succeed.
Here’s to the next year—and to building something even better!
Need some help putting your companies' best foot forward online? Contact us at www.piggybackstudios.co/work-with-us or give us a call any time at 719-828-4783 for a consultation.