Meaning of the word "early on" in English

What does "early on" mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

early on

US /ˈɜːrli ɑːn/
UK /ˈɜːli ɒn/

Adverb

at an early stage in a process or development

Example:
We realized early on that the project would be difficult.
She showed great talent early on in her career.