In this episode, I get brutally honest about the three fundamental mistakes I made while building Lucia over three years. Mistakes I only realized after working at Tern following my exit.

From being terrified to build community (despite running a network-based business) to treating AI like a fancy typewriter, I unpack the costly lessons that could have saved me years of struggle. I share how Tern's Facebook group generated 3,000 webinar signups in one week. Something that would have taken me weeks to pull off at my previous company.

I reveal why wearing "all the hats" as a founder was actually expensive procrastination, how AI identified conversion issues in 30 seconds that took weeks to find previously, and why marketing should never be the thing that waits in your business.

Key moments include:

• Why I was scared to build community at a network-based company
• How a Facebook group outperformed months of my traditional marketing
• The exact psychological friction point AI identified on our landing page
• Why "doing everything" became a badge of honor that held me back
• The intoxicating focus that comes from going deep instead of wide

My challenge: Pick one of these three areas (community, AI, or deep focus) and implement it this week. Then email me what happened. I'm betting you'll have your own "holy $$$$" moment.

Perfect for founders who want to learn from expensive mistakes before making them themselves.

Connect with me on Instagram or LinkedIn for more real-time insights from my journey at a Series A startup.

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• Grace Van Hollebeke
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