10 Pro Tips to Stay Motivated as A Beginning Entrepreneur

When you’re starting as an entrepreneur, it can feel like your motivation is just a tiny flickering flame—easily snuffed out by setbacks. I know this all too well; in the first eight years of my journey, every little challenge would send me spiraling, sometimes taking weeks off from my business. My entrepreneurial flame was small and weak, but over time, I learned how to keep it burning strong.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 20% of new businesses fail within two years, and only 25% survive past 15 years. As someone who’s been in business for over eight years, I know firsthand how tough it is to keep going.

I’m Jolien, originally from Belgium, with three master’s degrees in economics, management, and business administration. I spent nearly a decade in the corporate world, including an unforgettable time in Chicago, working a steady job with a stable paycheck. But deep down, I knew I was meant for more.

So in 2018, I took the leap—I left corporate life and launched Marketing Scaleurs, a marketing agency dedicated to helping businesses scale. That one decision led me to co-found a real estate business in Florida and later launch Jelloow, a marketing data platform, where I raised $100K and am now working toward a $750K round.

Has it been easy? Hell no. But has it been worth it? Absolutely.

Here’s what’s kept me motivated, even when things got tough.

Pro Tip #1: Focus on the Long Game

When I started Marketing Scaleurs, I wanted immediate results. I thought if I put in the work, I’d see success fast. But business doesn’t work that way.

I had to shift my focus to long-term goals—like building a community of 100,000 engaged followers instead of obsessing over daily likes and sales.

The same mindset applied to Jelloow. Instead of worrying about short-term cash flow, I focused on raising capital, refining our product, and creating long-term value. Now, we’re scaling in ways I never imagined.

➡ Lesson: Stop chasing quick wins. Commit to the long haul, and results will follow.

Pro Tip #2: Celebrate the Small Wins

The first time I landed a paying client, I celebrated with a glass of wine. (And not just any wine—I’m working on my WSET Level 4 certification because learning should always be fun!)

When we signed our first big contract for Jelloow, I took my family on a weekend trip. And when I hit 1,000 Instagram followers, I treated myself to a nice dinner.

These small celebrations kept me motivated through the grind of building multiple businesses.

➡ Lesson: If you don’t celebrate the small wins, you’ll never feel like you’re making progress.

Pro Tip #3: Set Goals You Can Control

I used to set goals like, “I want to make $10,000 this month.” But revenue isn’t always something you can control.

So instead, I started setting actionable goals, like:✅ Posting valuable content every day✅ Reaching out to 20 potential clients per week✅ Pitching Jelloow to 5 investors every month

These were things I could control, and every time I checked one off, I felt motivated to keep going.

➡ Lesson: Focus on what you can control—not just the outcome.

Pro Tip #4: Find Inspiration in Other Entrepreneurs

When I was raising my first $100K for Jelloow, I kept reminding myself of other founders who had done it before me.

I followed female entrepreneurs who built multi-million-dollar businesses from scratch. I read their stories, studied their failures, and used their journeys as motivation when things got tough.

➡ Lesson: Success leaves clues. Find people who’ve done what you want to do, and learn from them.

Pro Tip #5: Serve First, Sell Later

In the beginning, I focused too much on sales and not enough on serving. But when I shifted my mindset to helping people first, everything changed.

I started offering free marketing resources, sharing valuable content, and genuinely helping people grow their businesses. And guess what? Clients started coming to me, instead of the other way around.

Now, I apply the same approach to Jelloow—educating businesses on data-driven marketing before selling them anything.

➡ Lesson: Focus on helping people, and the money will come.

Pro Tip #6: Track Your Progress (Even When It Feels Small)

Some days, it felt like I wasn’t moving forward. But when I looked back at my first business proposal, my first 10 clients, or my first $100K investment, I saw how much progress I had made.

I now track my growth by: Keeping a journal of milestones💡 Reviewing monthly wins and lessons learned Measuring metrics that matter (not just revenue, but engagement, impact, and brand growth)

➡ Lesson: Your success isn’t just about money—it’s about how much you’ve grown.

Pro Tip #7: Build Motivation into Your Daily Routine

Motivation isn’t automatic. You have to create it.

Every morning, I: Listen to motivational speeches while getting ready, I read a few pages of an inspiring book Write down three things I’m grateful for

It’s a simple routine, but it keeps me fired up.

➡ Lesson: Motivation is a daily practice—build it into your routine.

Pro Tip #8: Surround Yourself with the Right People

Starting a business can be lonely. That’s why I made it a priority to surround myself with like-minded entrepreneurs.

I joined a mastermind group of business owners. I connected with investors, mentors, and advisors. And I made sure to keep negative, doubting people out of my circle.

➡ Lesson: The people around you can either lift you up or pull you down—choose wisely.

Pro Tip #9: Read Books That Keep You Inspired

Books have played a huge role in my entrepreneurial journey. Some of my favorites include:

• “The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries – Taught me how to test ideas before investing heavily

• “The Psychology of Money” by Morgan Housel – Helped me master my financial mindse

• “Dare to Lead” by Brené Brown – Changed the way I approach leadership

➡ Lesson: Keep learning—books give you access to the minds of the world’s most successful people.

Pro Tip #10: Have Fun Along the Way

When I launched Jelloow, I was so focused on results that I forgot to enjoy the process. But the more fun I had—whether through content creation, investor pitches, or networking events—the better results I saw.

Now, I make sure to:

• Enjoy great wine (because why not?)

• Travel to new places (I’ve been to 62 countries and counting)

• Spend quality time with my daughter (because family is everything)

➡ Lesson: If you’re not having fun, what’s the point? Enjoy the journey.

Motivation isn’t one big moment—it’s a series of small, daily choices.

If you’re feeling stuck, remember this: I’ve been there too. But by focusing on the long game, celebrating small wins, and surrounding yourself with the right people, you’ll find the motivation to keep going.

And trust me—if I can do it, so can you.

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