1.5 Years In: My Entrepreneurial Journey and What I’ve Learned

How I transitioned from island life to launching a professional organizing, interior styling & event planning business in the Netherlands

Three years ago, I hit a turning point. After 15 years of living and working in the Dutch Caribbean, I took a sabbatical. Then, 18 months ago, I moved back to my birth country and stepped into a completely different industry. That sabbatical wasn’t just a pause - it was a space to reconnect with myself, revisit my dharma, and plant the first seeds of what would become Cu Carinyo. What followed was a journey of rebuilding, experimenting, reconnecting - and slowly, finding my flow again.

Business Learnings & Growth: Insights from My Entrepreneurial Journey

As I look back on my entrepreneurial journey so far, many of the lessons I’ve encountered were ones I had an inkling about before. But putting them into practice and experiencing them firsthand has been eye-opening. While I knew that entrepreneurship requires flexibility, persistence, and adaptability, navigating my own business has confirmed just how essential these qualities are to success. I’ve learned that scaling is not a one-size-fits-all formula, and that true growth is about being both strategic and intentional. It’s a continuous learning process, and often, what you learn along the way confirms what you already knew, but now, with a deeper understanding.

"I didn’t enjoy time-tracking during my consultancy years, and I still don’t."

• Passion Isn’t Enough

  I made a complete career switch by aligning what I love with a new business focus. But let's be honest - passion alone wouldn’t have sustained me in the first year. It’s one thing to love your work, and another to build a business that lasts. Thankfully, I could lean on years of experience. I’ve been an entrepreneur from a young age, studied economics and law, and built a 15-year career in IT, managing strategic, complex projects. That foundation - sales, project management, communication, change management, change leadership, legal insight, networking – now supports everything I do at Cu Carinyo.

  
  

• Outsource to Grow

  One of the best early decisions I made was outsourcing my bookkeeping from the start. I hired an administration and tax expert - not because I couldn’t do my own administration, but because I didn’t want to spend time figuring out the local rules and regulations and dealing with bookkeeping. It freed me to grow the business. Having a trusted partner guide me through the Dutch business system gave me clarity and confidence.

  Once I clarified my brand voice, I also outsourced to experts for strategy, social media management, and finalizing my website. While I remain involved, this support allowed me to stay focused on the core: helping clients.

  
  

• Track What Matters

  I didn’t enjoy time-tracking during my consultancy years, and I still don’t. But I know it is essential, for control and for insight. Knowing how I spend my time, helps me price, plan and prioritize.

"Finding tools that fit my needs and worked well in my region was time-consuming and required careful consideration."

• Balancing Busy and Quiet Seasons

  In my first year, I experienced both busy and quiet months. I used the quieter periods for reflection, professional development, my off time, and strategic planning. As I begin to notice a pattern, I can be more intentional and schedule my personal off time way ahead. Planning ahead not only helps me protect my energy - but also lay the groundwork for more financial stability. I’ll share more soon about the money systems I’ve put in place, including how Profit First has helped me shape a healthier business foundation.
  

  

  

• Setbacks Are Teachers

  I’ve faced setbacks too—like financial losses that taught me the importance of documenting agreements and communicating, and sometimes even overcommunicating, even in seemingly straightforward situations. These moments were reminders to trust my gut, stay alert, and stay true to my values. They weren’t failures - they were necessary lessons.

  
  

• Surround Yourself with Entrepreneurs

  One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is the importance of surrounding myself with other entrepreneurs. Early on, I realized I couldn’t do it all on my own, and getting advice from others who had walked the same path helped me navigate challenges.

  
  

  I remember feeling overwhelmed by the number of software options available for project management, content creation and management, invoicing, and even website building. Finding tools that fit my needs and worked well in my region was time-consuming and required careful consideration. Eventually, I landed on a comprehensive system that streamlined my workflow. I tested several platforms before choosing one that combined lead management, proposals, project tracking, and invoicing - all while aligning with local regulations.

  The website challenge was similar. I needed something simple yet customizable. With guidance from my network, I was able to quickly choose the right platform. And when issues arose during setup and use of the tools, I could rely on others for support.
  

"Experience is fuel, not luggage"

The Leap Was Glamorous – In My Own Deliberate Way

I left a life many dream of: warm weather, a modern apartment overlooking the ocean, a good salary, and a shiny automatic SUV. I traded that for a tiny place in a new town, a second-hand manual car, heating instead of sea breezes, and started working solo from home.

And yet - I don’t miss any of it.

My “new” car fits everything I need for my organizing jobs and events - whether it is discarding decluttered items or transporting organizing and event materials. I can park it easily anywhere. My home office is cozy, and I’m in the heart of the village, surrounded by shops and cafes.

I didn’t know everything when I began. I had doubts, questions, so, I invested in a four-week coaching program with an expert in my new field. That gave me focus, support and momentum. It fast-tracked my launch - and before the month was over, I had my first two projects. That was the official start of Cu Carinyo.

"Passion gets you started - structure and strategy keep you going."

Experience is Fuel, Not Luggage

Cu Carinyo may be a completely different industry, but none of my past experiences went to waste. Skills like relationship building, cross-cultural communication, project management, and sales are still central to my work. Passion gets you started - structure and strategy keep you going.

Staying Connected to the Islands

When I decided on my next career move, I didn’t know exactly where I’d settle. Life aligned and led me back to the Netherlands, but I knew I wanted to maintain strong ties with the Dutch Caribbean and Suriname – places I still feel deeply connected to.

Today, I offer my services both locally and abroad. It’s not always easy to juggle travel, time zone differences, and remote work, but staying connected to the islands has kept me grounded and inspired.

As I continue to grow, finding a way to scale while remaining personal remains key- especially as I manage both local and international work.

Redefining Success

Success now looks like this: bringing peace of mind to my clients. Whether through organizing their spaces or mind, styling their interior or planning their events, the sense of clarity and relief we co-create is deeply fulfilling.

"It’s an ongoing dance of doing the work while working on the business."

What I’m Still Learning

As I reach the 1.5-year mark in my entrepreneurial journey I'm reflecting on what I've learned so far and continuing to figure out how to scale - growing the business efficiently and sustainably. This means increasing revenue without a proportional rise in costs, optimizing processes, and determining when to add resources like staff or technology - all while maintaining the quality and personal touch that defines my work.

The balance between client work, strategy, and growth remains a constant challenge. It’s an ongoing dance of doing the work while working on the business. I don’t have all the answers yet, but I’m learning, adapting, and staying open to the possibilities ahead.

Final Thoughts

This isn’t just a story about change; it’s about expansion - taking everything I’ve learned and building something new with heart and intention. Over the past 1.5 years, I’ve grown as both a business owner and a person. I’ve learned to work with focus, lean into what matters, and trust the process - even when it’s unfamiliar.

I’ve also realized that working hard alone isn’t sustainable. That’s why I’m now focused on finding smarter ways to grow - to scale in a way that’s sustainable and aligned with my values. It’s something I’m still figuring out, but what’s clear is that true growth needs to come with more ease and balance.

Above all, I’m deeply grateful - for the support of fellow entrepreneurs, the trust of my clients, and the opportunity to shape a business that reflects who I am. I’m proud of what I’ve built so far - and I’m embracing what’s ahead.

If you're going through a new chapter in your own life, or if you're simply looking for some support in creating clarity and calm in your space or event, I’d love to hear from you.

P.S. Ready for a reset of your own? I’ll be launching an organizing challenge soon. Stay tuned for all the details!

Cu Carinyo,

Shadyra