5 Lessons from Running a Creative Business That Are Shaping My 2026

When I started Atelier Akina in 2023, I was driven by passion. But I’ll be honest, about a year and a half into the business, I felt lost. I came very close to giving it up. I was constantly pushing myself to do the next thing, chasing momentum, but I wasn’t actually clear on where I was heading.

My partner kept encouraging me to go to China, since it’s one of the main places to source suppliers and manufacturers. I said "No. I’m not ready. It’s too soon." Looking back, those were just excuses, ways to avoid facing my fears. The discomfort of the unknown. The fear of change.

He challenged me again and asked, "What are you waiting for?" So I did the most spontaneous thing I’ve ever done. In April 2025, I booked a flight to China just a week and a half away. That trip changed everything. It was the beginning of a new vision coming together.

As I step into 2026, I wanted to share my reflections and the five lessons from running a creative business that are shaping how I move forward.

Lesson 1: I had become more disconnected from my Chinese roots than I realised.

As a second-generation Australian Chinese, it’s easy for culture to slowly fade if you don’t actively hold onto it. This trip made me concerned about the future generation of kids, and whether they’d get the chance to experience the richness and beauty of our culture and history that I grew up with. It made me want to celebrate and honour my heritage. 

Lesson 2: For the business to grow, I needed to grow too.

That meant tackling my fears head on, but also giving myself the time and space to work through them. Seeking professional help has been one of the best decisions and investments I’ve made in myself. I’ve been on a self growth journey with my life coach since 2022, and she continues to help me uncover the fears holding me back, as well as practical ways to move through them.

Lesson 3: Every business has its own timeline.

This also meant giving both myself and the business more time and space to grow, rather than constantly pushing for results.

I always felt the need to rush. I told myself I wasn’t working fast enough and would beat myself up by the end of the day if I didn’t complete my to do list. I didn’t even give myself time to celebrate my wins.

Over the past year, I’ve been learning to slow down and act with intention, and it has done wonders for my mental health and mindset.

Lesson 4: Goals without a clear vision will only take you so far

I spent most of my twenties setting goals with no clear vision. I obsessed over results and milestones to only realise I did it to feed my ego, in hopes of controlling how others perceived me and creating or saving “face” for me and the family, a common struggle in many Chinese families. I’m now learning to focus less on outcomes and more on being present, taking small steps I can today towards the bigger picture, my why.

Lesson 5: Growth required letting go.

I now understand why I felt so lost. The Akina I am today is completely different from the Akina who started Atelier Akina in 2023. I had to release the version of myself, and the version of Atelier Akina, that was taking up space and holding things back. Letting go created room for a new vision to take shape.

New Vision For Atelier Akina

Today, Atelier Akina is becoming a space to help second-generation Chinese reconnect with and celebrate their cultural roots. I’m designing jewellery that can be worn as a reminder of heritage, during meaningful milestones like weddings and Chinese tea ceremonies, during celebrations like Lunar New Year, and even in everyday life. I don’t know exactly where this will lead. But my vision feels much clearer now.

Thank you to everyone who gave me the time and space to figure things out, with encouragement and no judgement. And I couldn’t have done this without such a supportive partner who constantly challenges me and pushes me to grow.

I’m excited to share more of what’s next for Atelier Akina in 2026.

Your 2026 Reflection Prompt

Before you move on from this post, I invite you to pause for a moment.
Take a quiet moment to pause and reflect on these prompts:

• If you were to name one lesson from 2025, what would it be? Not the lesson you think you should have learnt, but the one that stayed with you.
• Where did it show up in your life or work?
• How might it shape the way you move forward in 2026?