The Top 5 Business Lessons I’ve Learned in 2025 (So Far)

Hey everyone! Riana here—and wow, 2025 has been a whirlwind, right?
This year has felt like a massive recalibration for me, both financially and creatively. I’ve hit some incredible fundraising and personal growth milestones, and I’m honestly so grateful—even through the uncertainty, the pressure, and the pivots.

Between the rollercoaster of raising capital, navigating product shifts, and just trying to show up as a more grounded leader, I’ve had some real “aha!” moments. These five core lessons have defined this intense phase of my entrepreneurial journey, and I’m excited to share them with you.

1. Cash Flow is Queen

Let’s be real: vision and momentum are fantastic, but if you don’t have consistent cash flowing in, you’re running on fumes.
This year, I’ve drilled down on generating revenue in smarter, more sustainable ways. We’re talking strategic partnerships, building out robust subscription models, and even exploring micro-manufacturing to support our product growth.

Gone are the days of waiting around for the next funding round. You either learn to build lean, or you risk burning out. It’s that simple.

2. Radical Transparency Builds Better Teams

I’ve been leaning heavily into what I call tough empathy. It’s not just about being kind—it’s about being incredibly clear.

That means openly sharing our challenges—whether it’s about finances, roadmap shifts, or evolving priorities.
What I’ve learned is that this kind of radical transparency doesn’t scare off great teammates—it activates them. People step up when they know the real story. They become more accountable, creative, and invested in solutions.

3. Discipline > Motivation

Motivation is great, but it’s fleeting. Discipline? That’s where the magic happens.
I’ve committed to a non-negotiable morning ritual: prayer, clarity journaling, and a focused product development block.

This isn’t about hustle for hustle’s sake—it’s about showing up with intention. This small shift in routine has led to compounding results in content, strategy, and focus. The truth is: you don’t need more motivation—you need more rhythm.

4. Proximity is a Cheat Code

Who you sit next to changes your strategy.
I’ve been intentional about spending time with logistics founders, AI investors, and even government innovation leaders. These conversations have rewired how I think about supply chains, funding, and scale.

Being in rooms that challenge your assumptions and sharpen your worldview is one of the fastest ways to grow. Don’t just network—curate your proximity.

5. Don’t Confuse “Busy” With “Breakthrough”

This one was hard to admit. At least 30% of my work in Q1? Pure noise.
I realized that staying “busy” was giving me the illusion of progress, but not the substance.

So, I started ruthlessly editing out the non-ROI activities—even the comfortable ones. That quiet? That space? It gave me the clarity to double down on breakthrough projects like Guava and our upcoming packaging white paper. Sometimes, slowing down is exactly what speeds you up.

💬 Final Thought

I’ve hit some powerful fundraising milestones this year. I’ve also grown in ways I didn’t expect—emotionally, strategically, and spiritually. I’m deeply grateful for the wins, and for the clarity that came through the setbacks.

If 2024 was the shake-up, 2025 is the shape-up. And we’re just getting started.

What about you? What big lessons have you learned so far this year? Email me some thoughts. Let’s keep learning—together.

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