If it’s not a hell yes, then it needs to be a no

When I look back at the lessons I have learned over the past four years as an entrepreneur, the one I value the most is learning the practice of saying no. Saying no to collaborations, opportunities, ideas, growth plans, requests from customers and job candidates. Like any big lesson, I learned this one the hard way, by saying yes too often and too fast.
To take the entrepreneurial leap to go into business and venture into self-employment requires a vision so clear that the fears and logical reasons to say no become irrelevant.
For me, that planning period before the leap of faith to open Harness Cycle was long and thoughtful. I had advisers, joined an incubator program (Aviatra Accelerators), applied for funding and gained the support of my community. The process took nearly two years.
By the time we opened our doors and started hosting our first indoor cycling classes, our business looked like an overnight success. The preparation I had put into my business plan met opportunities at the right time and what that creates is some really great luck.
In 2016, a business opportunity came my way again. I was selected to be on a reality TV show produced by LeBron James on CNBC called “Cleveland Hustles.” It appeared that once again, luck was in my favor. I was given the chance to compete for a partnership to open a second business in the Detroit Shoreway Neighborhood of Cleveland.
I had just started developing plans for a yoga studio and retreat company called GroundSwell Collective. Contrary to my first business, I hadn’t fully developed the concept by the time the opportunity showed up. I said yes and put action in motion before I was crystal clear on my vision.
What I discovered was that without a clear roadmap, I was open to the directions of others. In the middle of the road trip, I had backseat drivers navigating and I lost sight of how I wanted to get to my destination. So I pulled off the road. I decided that until I was clear on my destination and how I’d get there, I would just go back home.
I pressed pause on GroundSwell Collective and I went back to focusing on my roots at Harness Cycle. I reinvested my time and energy into the thoughtful team and community of riders that created a beacon of light in the Ohio City neighborhood, one 45-minute ride at a time.
I was humbled by an experience that showed up like an opportunity of a lifetime, but turned out to be one of my greatest teachings: stay the course.
I have become really proud at the muscle I’ve developed to say no to good opportunities that I am not yet prepared for. People think focus means saying yes to the thing you’ve got to focus on. It actually means saying no to the hundred other good ideas that are out there.
Anne Hartnett is owner at Harness Cycle and GroundSwell Collective