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These 4 Principles Fuel Business Acceleration Avoid industry complacency by following these tried and true tips.

By Cheryl Snapp Conner

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Mark Plötz | EyeEm | Getty Images

After two corporate roles and three stints as a co-founder, I launched my own first company in 2007 with all the confidence in the world. In fact, I had too much confidence, it seems now.

After years of frustration in my prior roles about the things I had no power to change, the world was mine. I knew the mistakes I would never repeat, and I didn't. The mistakes I had yet to make were entirely my own.

As with many founders, things looked fine on the books, but financial reports failed to elaborate the sleepless nights, stress, and loneliness. For the past three years, my company has finally been operating like a well-oiled and progressive machine. However, it took an entire decade to learn the lessons I wish I'd known from the start.