When you start a business, you quickly realize it’s not all sunshine and big wins. Sometimes, it’s the moments when you’re questioning yourself or waiting for something to happen that really test you. That’s exactly what came to mind when I sat down with Michelle Hsiao, the CEO and founder of Revenue Growth Advisors. What hit home was her ability to stay grounded in her values—something every entrepreneur has to learn, sometimes the hard way. She walked away from the security of a corporate career and dove headfirst into the world of entrepreneurship, figuring it out along the way. And she learned one of the toughest lessons: patience is key.
Michelle’s journey isn’t filled with glamorous headlines or overnight success stories—it’s the gritty stuff that we all go through but don’t talk about enough. Let’s dive into the two biggest lessons I took from our conversation.
Knowing Your Value: It’s Non-Negotiable
One of the first things Michelle shared was how important it is to understand your worth, and I couldn’t agree more. When you step out on your own, no one is handing you a roadmap, and people will question your pricing, your services, or even your ability to pull it off. The only person who needs to believe in your value is you, and that’s where it all starts.
Michelle spent over 20 years in big corporate retail, working with brands like Macy’s. She saw first-hand what success looks like on a daily basis. “In retail, you know every morning if you were successful the day before. You have to adjust fast, and you’re measured by results every day,” she said. That mentality carried over when she started Revenue Growth Advisors. She’s built her business on delivering results, and she never lowers her price just to get a deal.
Here’s the thing: lowering your price or offering discounts sends the wrong message. As Michelle explained, “Discounting tells your client you didn’t know your worth in the first place.” It’s about holding firm on what you’re offering because you know the value it brings. That kind of confidence doesn’t come overnight, but once you get it, it’s a game-changer.
Key Takeaways from Our Discussion:
- Never undersell yourself. Once you set your price, stick to it. You’re offering value, and that value doesn’t need to come at a discount.
- Research the market. Knowing what others charge for similar services allows you to frame your pricing in a way that shows you know what you’re worth.
- Your worth is the foundation. Everything starts from understanding the value you bring. If you don’t believe in it, no one else will.
Patience in Business Development: The Long Game
We’ve all been there—putting in the work and waiting for that big break that feels like it’s never going to come. Michelle’s story hit close to home because she knows what it’s like to sit in that waiting game. After starting her business, she quickly learned that landing clients can take months, even when you’ve built the perfect pitch.
One of her clients took over six months to sign on the dotted line. “It wasn’t that she didn’t see the value in what I was offering,” Michelle explained. “She just wasn’t ready yet, and that was a tough pill to swallow at first.” But instead of pushing too hard, Michelle nurtured the relationship and kept herself in the conversation. That’s the patience part—staying in touch, even when the immediate payoff isn’t there.
I loved how Michelle put it when she said, “Entrepreneurship isn’t for the faint of heart. It takes gumption—there’s no other way to say it.” It’s about staying consistent, being patient, and trusting that all the hard work you’re putting in will eventually pay off.
What I Learned from Her Experience:
- The sales cycle takes time. Landing clients, especially big ones, can take months, and that’s normal. It doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong.
- Nurture relationships. Don’t disappear just because a potential client isn’t ready to buy. Stay connected, offer value, and keep showing up.
- Keep the faith. It’s easy to get discouraged, but if you’re confident in your value and consistent with your efforts, the wins will come.
Reflections from the Interview: Lessons I’m Taking Away
My conversation with Michelle got me thinking about how often we expect quick wins in entrepreneurship. We live in a world where everything feels instant, but building a business doesn’t work like that. Patience and knowing your value are two lessons I’ll carry with me from Michelle’s story.
Here’s What I’m Taking Away:
- Patience pays off. Nothing happens overnight, but staying consistent will get you there.
- Your value doesn’t change just because someone else doesn’t see it yet. Keep your standards high and don’t compromise.
- Nurture your connections. You never know when that conversation will turn into a new opportunity.
- Celebrate small wins. Michelle landed her first client within two weeks of launching her business, and she’s been growing ever since. Every step forward counts.
- Be adaptable. The business landscape is constantly changing, and so should you. Stay flexible but true to your core values.
Final Thoughts:
Michelle’s story is a reminder that success isn’t about instant gratification. It’s about putting in the work, believing in yourself, and staying patient. There’s no shortcut or magic formula, and anyone who tells you otherwise is selling you a lie. What Michelle taught me is that entrepreneurship is about grit and knowing that even when things feel slow or uncertain, sticking to your values and being patient will eventually lead to the wins you’re after.
If you’re on the entrepreneurial path, here’s my advice: stay focused, keep learning, and don’t lose sight of why you started in the first place. The journey may be long, but the payoff is worth it.
CONNECT WITH MICHELLE HSIAO
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-hsiao/
Website: https://therevgrowthadvisors.com/