WRITTEN BY FRIEDA LEVYCKY, FOUNDER OF BRAVING BOUNDARIES
Five years of Braving Boundaries. Five years of building a business from scratch. Five years of learning. And what a journey it’s been!
Starting a business is an eye-opening experience. It brings up all your strengths, weaknesses, fears and blind spots. It forces you to grow in ways you never expected. These are the biggest lessons I’ve learned over the last five years. If you’re running a business or thinking about starting one, maybe some of these will resonate.
I’ve learned that focus changes
Braving Boundaries started as a coaching business for the legal industry. It made sense. My background was in law and I knew the pressures lawyers faced. But over time I expanded my focus for two reasons.
First, my corporate experience was broader than just law. Despite being told by business coaches that I needed to niche, I felt stifled by not being able to help a wider audience. Second, I realised I was playing safe by sticking with what I knew. I wasn’t stepping into a broader field because I didn’t feel I had the right. In reality, everything I had learned was transferable.
Takeaway: Don’t be afraid to change direction and step away from what you should be doing just because someone told you that’s the right way to do it. Trust yourself and evolve in the way that feels right for you.
I’ve learned that you just have to start
Perfect doesn’t exist. You can spend months refining a programme, tweaking your messaging and waiting for the right time, but you still won’t know if it works until you launch it. By doing so, I’ve learned that some workshops sell out, others flop, some ideas take off, some don’t. The only way to find out is to put it out there.
Takeaway: Stop waiting. Just start. You’ll adjust as you go.
I’ve learned that quick fixes don’t work
When you’re building a business, there is a huge temptation to speed up success. That’s when the “Make US$10k a month overnight” adverts get you. Even when you know they’re too good to be true, there’s a part of you that wants to believe them.
Much to my own chagrin, I’ve fallen for it. I ignored my gut and paid for a course that sold the dream. I shouldn’t have. It still irritates me because I knew at the time it wouldn’t work. The reality is there are no shortcuts. Just put in the work, grow steadily and know that building something meaningful takes time.
Takeaway: If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Trust your instincts and don’t waste time chasing quick wins.
I’ve learned that building a coaching business isn’t easy
I’ve had many clients who have benefited from coaching and decided to become coaches themselves. It makes sense. When something profoundly changes your life, you want to share it with others. I felt the same about becoming a counsellor after experiencing the benefits of two years of counselling in my early 30s.
The thing about coaching though, is that it isn’t the easiest business to grow. There are a lot of coaches out there (see point 7 below) and, despite what the “Make US$10k a month” ads claim, it isn’t a “get rich quick” kind of business. You don’t go into coaching because it’s an easy way to make money. You go into coaching because you genuinely want to help people struggle less and succeed more. That’s why so many coaches fold within two years.
Takeaway: Coaching is about impact, not instant success. If you’re drawn to it, make sure you’re in it for the right reasons. The business side takes time, effort and patience – but when you’re passionate about what you do, it’s worth it.
I’ve learned that pricing is a psychological battle
Setting prices as a coach is torture. You spend hours comparing yourself to others, questioning your worth and wondering if you’re charging too much or too little.
What I’ve learned is that people will pay for what they value. If someone tells you that you’re “too expensive” what they actually mean is: “it’s too expensive for me” or “this isn’t my priority right now” – and that’s fine. It shouldn’t make you doubt your worth.
Takeaway: Charge what reflects your expertise. The right clients will see the value.
I’ve learned that you have to keep studying
Getting a coaching qualification isn’t the end; it’s just the start. The world is shifting rapidly. AI is developing at speed, workplace challenges are evolving and new theories on human behaviour keep emerging. What worked five years ago doesn’t always work today.
Every client is different. Every team is different. To be a good coach, you have to keep learning, adapting and staying open to new ideas. The moment you think you know it all, well … that’s when you’re in trouble.
Takeaway: If you work in a people-focused profession, staying relevant means staying curious. Keep learning.
I’ve learned that coaching should be regulated
It still shocks me that anyone can call themselves a coach after a weekend course. No degree, no rigorous training, no board exams – just a certificate and a LinkedIn profile. Meanwhile, counsellors and therapists spend years earning degrees, passing board exams and meeting strict requirements before they can practise.
Yet as coaches, we work with real people facing real challenges. Whether you’re guiding someone through their past or helping them build their future, you’re responsible for their wellbeing. That’s not something to take lightly.
I’m grateful for my 18-month coach training, but even then I chose to study psychology and counselling further. Not everything can be solved with a “just focus on the future” approach. Sometimes people need to unpack what’s holding them back before they can move forward.
Takeaway: If you’re looking for a coach, do your research. If you’re becoming a coach, take the responsibility seriously. People put their trust in you – make sure you’re qualified to hold it.
I’ve learned that business brings up all your baggage
Self-doubt, imposter syndrome, fear of failure, you name it! Starting a business drags up everything: Am I good enough? What if people don’t sign up? What if I fail?
Running a business means constant change. Change creates uncertainty. Uncertainty fuels fear. The trick is to take small steps and keep going.
Takeaway: If you feel overwhelmed, break it down. What do they say about eating an elephant? Take one bite at a time.
I’ve learned that self-awareness is an ongoing reality check
One of the biggest surprises was how much I learned about myself while coaching others and building a business.
I started noticing patterns. How I react under stress. How I have so many ideas but struggle to finish them. How, when I feel overwhelmed, my instinct is to avoid and run.
Just last week my overwhelm levels tipped the scale. Instead of writing everything down on my to-do list and gently working my way through it, I decided to book in a facial and avoid everything for the day! I also managed to justify it easily as self-care (rather than avoidance) – I’m quite a pro at that!
The irony is, I know that facing things head-on makes life easier. Yet even with all my awareness, old habits still creep in. That’s the thing about self-awareness – it doesn’t mean you magically stop your patterns, but it helps you catch yourself faster and course-correct.
Takeaway: Self-awareness is ongoing. Pay attention to your patterns.
I’ve learned that your support squad is everything
Business can be lonely. Having a group of people at the same stage as you or a few steps ahead makes a huge difference.
They’ll give you honest feedback, help you see things differently and keep you accountable.
Takeaway: Find your people. Business is hard enough without trying to do it alone.
I’ve learned that passion and purpose both matter
I’m passionate about helping people and teams get unstuck. Seeing those a-ha moments when something finally clicks is what makes this work so rewarding. But passion alone isn’t enough. It’s what gets you started, but it doesn’t always keep you going.
Purpose is what gives passion direction. My purpose is to help people do things differently so they can create successful lives and businesses in a way that actually works for them. That’s what keeps me committed, even on the days when things feel hard.
Takeaway: Passion gets you excited about the work, but purpose gives it meaning. If you feel stuck, reconnect with both.
I’ve learned that there is only one you
In business (and especially in coaching), it’s easy to get caught up in comparison. You see other people launching polished online courses, nailing their social media presence or recording twenty engaging videos a week with zero effort. And sometimes, people even pinch your ideas. It’s frustrating, and it has a way of making your inner critic very loud.
What I’ve learned though is that someone can copy your content, your process or even your business model, but … they can’t be you.
Your unique voice, your perspective, your way of connecting with people are what makes the difference. There are people out there who will choose you because of who you are, not just what you offer.
Takeaway: Forget the noise. Stop worrying about what others are doing. The people meant to work with you will be drawn to you. Not because you have the fanciest website or the most polished videos, but because of the way you make them feel. And no one else can replicate that.
Looking ahead
The learning never stops. These lessons have shaped how I work, coach and grow. Now it’s time to take them forward.
The next five years will be about building, evolving and making an even bigger impact. My dreams and goals for Braving Boundaries (and myself) have been set. Now it’s time to see them unfold.
Here’s to the next 5 years! 🥂
