Your Personal Independence Day

Bill Petrie
13 hours ago
3 min read

Lessons in entrepreneurship

At some point, many of us find ourselves stuck in the same loop: wake up, work, repeat. You're told it's a good loop because it's reliable, responsible, respectable, safe, and, frankly, expected. But deep down, you know it's not for you. You're just a cog in the corporate machine, spinning endlessly to keep someone else's engine running.

That was me up until it wasn't.

On July 6, 2020, at the height of the global pandemic, when uncertainty was the only certainty, I made a decision that changed my life: I declared my independence. I launched brandivate with a laptop, an idea, a website, and a gut-level belief that I could finally take control of my career.

Yesterday, as our nation began to wind down from celebrating its independence from Great Britain, brandivate celebrated five years in business. As I reflected this past week, I realized how similar my journey has been to what Independence Day truly means: bold action in the face of risk, a refusal to be defined by limitations, and a commitment to forging something better for the promotional products industry, my family, and myself.

Now, don't get me wrong; entrepreneurship isn't all fireworks and hot dog-eating contests. It's long hours, real risk, and plenty of moments where you wonder what on earth you were thinking. But it's also clarity, purpose, creativity, and freedom that comes from knowing you're building something that's yours. Here are six of the many lessons I've learned along the way:

Adaptability is survival. You either bend, or you break. Market conditions shift, prospects ghost, and plans don't pan out the way you anticipated. As we all learned during the pandemic, if you can't pivot, you perish. I've had to rework business models, reframe offerings, and bounce back from more than one gut punch. Each time, it made me more resilient, more resourceful, and more effective.
Client experience matters. I often say that the client may not always be right, but they always come first. That means listening, showing up, being honest, and solving problems even when it's inconvenient. The experience you create is the product, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
Keep learning or get left behind. AI isn't coming; it's already here. So is everything from transformative design tools to automation platforms and advanced CRMs. I've forced myself to keep learning because staying relevant translates into survival. In a continually shifting business environment, you must commit to constantly learning to stave off obscurity.
It can't be done alone. brandivate didn't rise out of thin air. To be clear, it started with Kelsey Cunningham, who helped shape the foundation with creativity and tenacity. Josh Robbins played a key role in financially backing the company as we found our footing. And countless friends, clients, and partners in the promotional products industry have lifted me up, challenged me, and supported me along the way. Never forget the people who push you forward - I know I won't.
Take care of yourself. Entrepreneurship will consume everything you give it. And I gave it a lot. But I also learned, oftentimes the hard way, that rest isn't optional. Burnout doesn't make you a warrior; it makes you useless. Without your health - physical and mental - it's impossible to perform at anything resembling a high level. Take care of your body, your mind, and, perhaps most importantly, your boundaries.
Celebrate the wins. It doesn't matter whether they are big or small: a new client, a successful launch, a well-received piece of content, or just making it through a hard week - recognize it all. I can tell you that success isn't one massive moment. Rather, it's a thousand small victories stacked on top of each other.

So here's your reminder: You don't need anyone's permission to declare your own independence. You just need a little courage, a lot of grit, and the willingness to bet on yourself.

If you're feeling stuck, uninspired, or boxed in, perhaps it's time for your own Independence Day. The option is always there when you're ready to take a bold yet rewarding step.