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I was just a kid with a passion for hardcore electronic music, and I bought a CD that changed everything. Before long, I wasn’t just going to raves, I was organizing them.
We went from tiny events in shady warehouses to a massive annual festival with 20,000 people.
Let me tell you, suddenly having more money than I knew what to do with was a wild ride. But, it also taught me some tough lessons.
Like, even major success won’t save you from money mistakes. I ended up losing it all — a classic example of the kind of financial sins that sabotage too many self-employed people.
These days, I’m back to building things, smarter this time.
Here are the 7 big sins most freelancers, entrepreneurs, and side-hustlers make, and how to avoid them to create a business that actually lasts.
Sin #1: Confusing Income with Profit
Don’t get blinded by big invoices. That’s not what goes in your pocket. Think of your business like a leaky bucket. Revenue pours in, but expenses drip out — taxes, software subscriptions, that fancy coffee you need to work. What’s left at the bottom is your actual profit.
How to fix it: Track every dollar in and out, religiously.
