155 - The Hardest Lessons I've Learned Building Businesses

In this episode of the MaYapinion® podcast, Maya Roffler shares some of the hardest lessons she's learned while building businesses over the past 17 years. From corporate America to entrepreneurship, from events and consulting to coaching, podcasting, and now building a tech company, Maya reflects on the business lessons that have shaped the way she thinks, leads, sells, and makes decisions as an entrepreneur. This episode is a true MaYapinion® conversation. Maya doesn't just share surface-level advice—she breaks down the real lessons that came through trial and error, mistakes, pivots, relationships, burnout, revenue pressure, and learning how to build businesses in a way that actually supports the life she wants to live. From realizing that clarity doesn't come before action—but because of it—to learning that not every opportunity is actually the right opportunity, Maya walks through the mindset shifts and business truths that changed everything for her. She also shares why relationships have been one of the biggest drivers of opportunity in her businesses, why revenue is one of the clearest indicators of whether a business is truly working, and why saying yes to everything can quietly pull you further away from the kind of business you actually want to build. This episode is especially valuable for entrepreneurs, founders, service providers, coaches, creatives, and women building businesses who are trying to figure out what really matters when growing something sustainable. Because building a business isn't just about getting started. It's about learning how to keep going, how to stay focused, how to trust yourself, and how to make decisions that align with the life you actually want to create. What You'll Hear in This Episode Why Maya believes clarity comes from action—not from waiting until everything feels perfect The mindset shift that helped her stop holding herself back from launching, selling, and moving forward How perfectionism can delay growth and keep entrepreneurs stuck longer than necessary Why relationships have been one of the highest ROI investments across Maya's businesses The role networking, referrals, and trust have played in building her event business, consulting work, and bereaved sibling community Why revenue matters more than likes, views, or follower count when it comes to validating a business Maya's perspective on why sales solve problems in business Why not every opportunity is the right opportunity, even if it looks exciting or financially tempting What it means to build a business that fits your life instead of forcing your life to fit your business Why success isn't just about revenue—it's also about creating a business that supports the life you want to live Maya's honest reflections on still learning, still growing, and continuing to evolve as an entrepreneur in real time If you've ever felt stuck waiting for clarity, overwhelmed by too many options, tempted by opportunities that don't actually fit, or unsure how to build a business that supports your real life—this episode will meet you there. Connect with MaYapinion® Podcast Website: mayapinionpodcast.com Website: https://mayapinion.com/ Free - Submit Your Business Challenge: https://mayapinion.com/shop/dc1d6478-99fb-46f8-91e1-0f32bb14e41b?pageViewSource=lib_view&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmayapinion.com%2F&show_back_button=true The MaYapinion Mistake Audit: https://mayapinion.com/shop/469a86a2-e844-4501-949d-ea4733a73268?pageViewSource=lib_view&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmayapinion.com%2F&show_back_button=true Find A Co-Host: https://www.findacohost.com/ (Use Code: Founder)  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mayaroffler Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayaroffler Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayapinionpodcast Email: [email protected]