If you could start over, what would you do differently?

by Angela Darar

With the year almost coming to a close, I’ve been reflecting on all the experiences we’ve had with REACH this year—and, as always, the invaluable lessons that come with running a business. I recently found myself asking a question I’ve often posed to others: If you could start over, what would you do differently?

It’s a question that can lead to all kinds of answers—some practical, some humorous, and others that make you pause and think. I’ve asked this question to many business owners over the years, and while the answers vary, they’re all packed with wisdom. One business owner told me with a laugh, “I’d be more selective with clients from day one! Not every deal is a good deal.” Another shared that they wished they’d focused on their team sooner, saying, “Investing in the right people from the start would have saved me a lot of headaches later on.”

If I could rewind the clock myself, I think I’d tell my younger self to worry a bit less about getting it all right and focus more on building the kind of network that has been so important to Jas and I now. People who understand, support, and help you grow—these are the real gems in business and life. We’ve learned that the journey feels less daunting when shared with others who are on the same path. And isn’t that part of why we’re all here, supporting each other through the challenges?

At the end of the day, these reflections aren’t really about wishing we could turn back time. They’re about honouring the hard-earned wisdom we gather along the way. For every misstep, there’s a lesson; for every challenge, there’s an insight. These “what I’d do differently” moments remind us that learning never stops, and neither does the journey to make our businesses the best they can be.

So here’s a little food for thought as you look toward the new year: If you could start over, what would you do differently? Maybe you’d change how you approach time management, choose a different growth strategy, or give yourself more grace along the way. Whatever it is, know that these reflections make you a wiser, stronger leader.

Thanks for being a part of this journey with us, and as always, if there’s anything Jas or I can do to support you in navigating your own path, just give us a shout.

Heres’s a throwback photo of us during the earlier days (circa 2012). Jas was already making waves and bringing home awards. We’re really proud of how far we’ve come!