Lessons from My First Year: Career Growth, Startup Life, and Remote Work Tips

5 Lessons from My First Year at The AGN Group

Career Growth, Startup Life, and Remote Work Tips

By: Katie Hart

A year ago, I started a job I didn’t fully know how to do. I didn’t have all the answers, and I certainly wasn’t amazing on day one. Some days I felt like I was flailing and hoping no one noticed, like the first podcast episode I tried to produce, where I spent an hour panicking over a file that was broken (it wasn’t) and worried that I would ruin the whole show (I didn’t).

But over this last year, the learning curve has taught me so much about myself, my potential, and my career. And as I look back at my past year at The AGN Group, I’ve reflected on how far I’ve come, and what I’ve learned along the way.

So, here’s what I’ve learned in my first year at The AGN Group about career growth, startup life, and finding your footing in a nontraditional career path.

1. Embrace Not Knowing: How to Grow in Uncertainty

It’s okay to not know everything right away!

I’ve always struggled at wanting to be great right out the gate, but as you may have already realized yourself, that’s not really how that works.

Growth takes time, feedback, and a little bit of trial-and-error (and maybe some YouTube tutorials or Reddit deep dives). And not to mention that having a boss who genuinely wants you to learn is a game-changer; it’s nearly impossible to make mistakes and grow from them if leadership expects unrealistic perfection from day one.

I’ve been lucky enough to have a boss and mentor who encourages (no, not just tolerates, but truly encourages) mistake-making. If you want to empower team members to take big risks and get big rewards, there’s going to be a few false starts as well. That doesn’t mean a failture, it means an opportunity to learn and grow the business.

Some of my biggest lessons came from moments when I felt completely out of my depth, only to realize that’s exactly where real learning happens.

2. Wearing Many Hats Can Reveal Your Strengths

Startup life is chaotic, stressful, and exciting all at once. Doing work you thought you’d hate can actually reveal hidden talents.

For example, I never imagined I’d enjoy podcast production. I’m a former middle school teacher, and sure, I love listening to podcasts, but what could I possibly know about producing them?

But here I am, LOVING it, learning a ton, and enjoying trying new things.

One day, I was frantically troubleshooting an audio glitch as I was learning to use new editing software. The next, I was working with my boss to create a new social media campaign. Then, I helped design marketing materials for one of our new services. And though I never would have sought out tasks like these, when you’re able to try to hat on, see how it works, and push yourself out of your comfort zone, new skills and passions are discovered.

3. Saying No is Your Secret Superpower

Saying no isn’t mean. Actually, it’s strategic and a gift!

• “No, this guest isn’t a good fit for the podcast” protects quality.
• “No, I can’t take this task on right now” ensures I have the bandwidth to deliver high-quality work.
• “No, I don’t think this is the best approach” might be awkward, but it shows I’m actively shaping outcomes.

So, as the amazing Angela Gill Nelms always reminds me,  everything you say YES to means saying NO to something else. So choose thoses ‘yeses’ wisely.

4. Remote Work Can Actually Work (Even Across Time Zones)

Being in Spain while my boss is in Atlanta has its challenges, but collaboration is possible. Time zones force creativity. One “8 a.m. Madrid / 2 a.m. Atlanta” brainstorming session turned into one of our most productive workflow experiments. That’s the unexpected perk of being a morning bird with a nigh owl boss: you get to use the 6-hour time difference to your advantage!

Remote teams thrive on trust, flexibility, and communication. Geography doesn’t define impact; mindset does.

This past year has taught me the beauty of being able to work from a different continent and still excel, both in what I deliver and the way I collaborate.

5. Skills Transfer: How a Nontraditional Career Path Pays Off

I studied education, taught middle school, worked in customer experience, and now produce podcasts. On paper, it seems random! But in reality, these experiences complement each other.

Patience, storytelling, problem-solving, and empathy have become my secret toolkit. My past roles made me a better collaborator, editor, and problem solver. Nontraditional career paths aren’t a detour…they can be an advantage!

I’ve been able to use this last year to reflect on the skills I’ve learned throughout my career so far, and to be appreciative of the way they can be used to my advantage now, regardless of where I originally picked them up.

Conclusion:

A year in, and I’m still figuring it out (and that’s okay!)

Your career doesn’t have to be linear to be successful. Growth comes from experimentation, failure, asking for help, and trusting yourself to take action.

I still have days where I question whether I know what I’m doing…but then I surprise myself, like the time I pulled together a full episode in half a day. That’s the point: give yourself room to grow, and you’ll amaze yourself.

Embrace uncertainty, wear many hats, say no when necessary, collaborate creatively across time zones, and trust that your unique skills will find a place. Nontraditional paths can lead to surprising opportunities, growth, and fulfillment.

About the Author

Katie is Senior Client Relations Manager and Executive Podcast Producer at The AGN Group, where she brings podcast episodes to life and leads branding, social media, and strategic partnerships. She helps clients grow their brand through polished media kits, marketing strategies, and thoughtful content.

Based in Spain, Katie enjoys exploring the landscape, practicing Spanish, rock climbing, and listening to podcasts over a long walk.

Learn more about Katie here!