Starting An Online Business From Scratch: Lessons, Struggles, and Growth

Why I Started a Marketing Agency

I’ve always been passionate about building and improving business and brands. There’s something exciting about shaping a company’s message and helping it grow. But when I decided to start my own marketing agency, I had no prior experience running a business—no knowledge of legal forms, taxes, or business structures. What I did have was the drive to figure things out and build something from the ground up without spending a fortune.

So, I dove in. I spent hours researching how to file the right forms, what taxes to prepare for, and how to stay legally compliant. I built a website from scratch, learning SEO, copywriting, and tools along the way. I watched tutorials, read blogs, and tested different marketing techniques. Every step brought new challenges, but my goal stayed the same: help businesses grow their digital presence in a cost-effective way.

Starting without a network or client base was tough. I had to market myself while convincing other businesses why marketing mattered in the first place. It felt like selling something people didn’t yet know they needed.

Convincing Small Businesses: A Major Hurdle

After setting up the agency, the next step was finding clients. I reached out to small business owners, explaining the importance of a strong digital presence. I made countless calls and pitched ideas, but I often heard things like: “We already have Google Reviews,” or “We post on social media sometimes.”

The reality? Google Reviews and occasional posts are not a full strategy. Branding is about consistency, storytelling, and connecting with people. Many owners didn’t realize that until they were already losing traction.

Trying to explain that people don’t want to be sold to—they want to connect—was hard. Businesses were stuck in the old mindset: push offers, run sales, and hope people show up. But consumers today engage with content that feels real and relatable. They want value, not just promotions.

Even with follow-ups at different times of day, I’d still get a “no.” And then, months later, I’d see those same businesses hire someone else or adopt outdated strategies that weren’t working. It was frustrating, but it taught me how resistant people can be to change—and how important it is to educate before you pitch.

A Successful Project That Made a Difference

One of my early wins was working with a small construction company. Their digital presence was weak—low engagement, inconsistent branding, poor SEO. They were spending money on Google Ads, but getting no real leads. The problem? Their website wasn’t converting visitors into customers.

I helped them revamp their website copy, improve their SEO, start a blog, and manage their social media on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. I help rewrite their content, structure their website better, and create a blog that answered questions their potential clients were already searching for. We cleaned up their profiles with a clear bio, consistent branding, and shifted the content strategy to focus less on selling and more on storytelling.

As a result, organic website visits increased by 113%, shifting away from poorly targeted paid ads that were bringing in visitors from overseas—ineffective for a local construction company. Social media views and follower engagement also improved significantly thanks to the more intentional content and streamlined landing page.

Over time, inquiries started coming in. More importantly, the business owner’s mindset shifted. He saw that digital marketing wasn’t just about being online—it was about building a brand people trust.

A Project That Almost Took Off

I also worked with a clothing store that aimed to evolve into a high-end brand for tailored suits. They had a physical store inside a mall, and the owner relied on foot traffic as the main source of business. Because he could see customers walking in, he didn’t believe investing in social media or improving the website was worth it. His argument was simple: “I can’t track people online the way I can in-store.”

At the same time, he was frustrated with his online efforts, his website, launched back in 2017, had never sold a single product. His social media had barely grown—stuck at around 100 followers, mostly friends and family.

So, I created a plan. We’d rebuild the website on Shopify to improve the user experience, update the fonts and colors to reflect the brand’s elegance, and add proper categories instead of dumping everything under a generic “shop” page. I recommended creating a product recommendation guide and an FAQ section to answer common questions men have about suits and fit. On social media, I wanted to highlight the craftsmanship—showing the detail and care behind every handmade suit. We would tell the story of how materials were ethically sourced and why this brand represented quality and class.

But despite weeks of back and forth, the owner decided to stick to his old ways. He chose not to move forward with the new direction—even though his long-term goal was to build a recognizable brand, not just a store. Yes, he was making some profit. But his growth was stagnant, and the decision to avoid change was holding him back.

This experience reminded me: you can build the best strategy in the world, but if the mindset isn’t ready, nothing moves. Not every business is ready to take the leap—and that’s okay. But it showed me the difference between business owners who want to grow and those who just want to stay comfortable.

Key Lessons Learned

1. Branding is more than social media posts.
   Random posts or promotions won’t build a business. You need a message that feels authentic and speaks to your audience.

2. Value isn’t always obvious to everyone.
   Many business owners only understand the importance of marketing after struggling. Sometimes they need to see a competitor succeed before they get on board.

3. Rejection is part of the process.
   I heard “no” more times than I can count. But I learned to not take it personally and to keep improving how I presented my value.

4. Good content gets noticed.
   When I managed social media and tagged businesses in my videos, they noticed. Quality content drives real engagement—and results.

5. Small businesses care about cost—but value wins.
   Marketing seems like an expense, but when done right, it becomes an investment that pays off.

Why I Closed the Agency—and What’s Next

Despite the passion and progress, I eventually chose to close the agency. Not because it failed, but because I realized that running an agency isn’t just about delivering great work. It’s about constant sales, educating clients, and proving your worth day after day.

But this chapter isn’t the end—it’s a pivot. I still believe in branding, content, and marketing. I’m shifting how I approach it, whether through consulting, content creation, or new projects in the future.

Running this agency taught me about business, people, and mindset. It showed me that while not everyone will understand your vision, the right people will—and they’re the ones worth focusing on.

If you’re thinking of starting your own business—marketing or otherwise—just remember: You’ll face rejection. You’ll doubt yourself. Others will too. But if you stay focused on providing real value and keep showing up, you’ll keep moving forward.

I’m still pursuing this passion. And I’ll keep sharing what I’ve learned—because whether you’re a business owner or just getting into marketing, one truth remains: Your brand is your foundation. Build it right, and everything else follows.