Your Personal Life Archives « The Enlightened Creative: Educator and Business Coach for Creative Entrepreneurs and Wedding Professionals

18 Lessons in 18 Years: What I’ve Learned About Building a Business That Lasts

Eighteen years ago, I launched Howerton+Wooten Events. I was eager, hopeful, and just a little bit terrified. Since then, I’ve navigated some of the most beautiful highs and the toughest lows, including a recession, two government shutdowns, a worldwide pandemic, and the loss of two parents. Through it all, my business has grown, shifted, and endured. Today, in honor of my 18-year milestone, I am sharing 18 lessons I’ve learned. Here’s what I’ve learned about building a business that lasts. I hope they help you, whether you’re in year one or year twenty-one.

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You Don’t Need to Catch Up. You Need to Reset

You’re tired. No, you’re exhausted. You’ve been working harder than ever—long hours, endless to-do lists, saying yes to everything. But instead of feeling like you’re moving forward, it feels like you’re stuck on a treadmill, running fast but getting nowhere.

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Your Small Business Was Never Meant to Be a Prison

Let’s sit with this for a moment. What happens when the business you once loved starts to feel heavy? When the work that used to light you up now leaves you drained? When the dream you built begins to feel like a cage instead of a calling?

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The Value of a Small Business Owner Finding “Your People”

Thirteen years ago, I took my then 12-year-old son to his (and mine) very first ComicCon. I went thinking it would be just a fun outing for him, something he could geek out about and enjoy. What I didn’t expect was that I would walk away from that day with something much deeper than souvenirs and selfies with cosplayers. I walked away with a profound lesson on the power of community.

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A Hard Truth for a 60-Year-Old Small Business Owner

I equated “hustle at 60” with failure. I believed that by now, my business should run without me. But here I am. I turn 60 soon, and guess what? I’m still in the thick of weddings. I’ve learned a tough, but necessary lesson.

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Protect Your Energy: Spend It Where It Counts

This week, I hope you remember that you don’t owe your energy to everything or everyone. Protect it. Guard it. Invest it where it truly counts. You are your greatest asset. Treat yourself accordingly.

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Wedding Industry Expert Kawania Wooten, The Enlightened Creative

Providing Great Client Care When Your Personal Life is Falling Apart

You’re showing up for clients, but who’s showing up for you? There are seasons in life when being a creative entrepreneur feels heavier than usual. Maybe you’re navigating grief. Maybe a relationship is unraveling. Maybe your health—physical, mental, or emotional—is quietly begging for attention. And yet, the business doesn’t stop. The inbox still pings. The wedding dates don’t move. The client meetings are still on the calendar.

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Are You Feeling Like a Fraud? Trust That This Season Won’t Last Forever

To every wedding entrepreneur who feels like they’re barely holding it together—you’re not alone. 💔 You’ve mastered the art of showing up with a smile, delivering for your clients, and posting “success” online. Yet behind the scenes, you’re exhausted, questioning your path, and wondering if it’s all worth it. Let’s pause for a moment.

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A Life Lesson Taught to Me by My Thanksgiving Turkey

This Thanksgiving, our dinner may have been delayed, but the lesson wasn’t lost. As entrepreneurs, we need to prioritize ourselves before we reach a point of crisis. Your business will thank you, just as my next turkey will thank me for a repaired oven.

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Do You Have a “Personal Board of Directors?”

Imagine having a group of trusted individuals who act as your personal board of directors — advisors who guide, support, and challenge you in meaningful ways. Just like a company’s board, your personal board is there to offer wisdom and fresh perspectives, but for your life and goals.

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