When you’re thinking about starting a small business, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of it all. You’ve got a vision, a product, and a drive to make it happen. But before you jump in, let’s talk about the real, behind-the-scenes stuff—the parts you might not see right away.
For many small business owners, including myself, the first years are a mix of hustle, learning, and figuring things out as you go. Trust me, it’s a rollercoaster, but it’s worth every bump.
My “Why Not?” Moment
Like a lot of entrepreneurs, I didn’t start with a grand plan. I didn’t wake up one day and say, “I’m going to run a business!” Instead, I took it step by step. My path started with a small, personal savings account (thanks to years of budgeting and saving), and it led to a leap of faith—buying a business that had potential but wasn’t fully there yet.
I actually used to work at the very same business I own today. I started as an employee, then moved up to a manager before eventually buying it a year and a half in.
I got hands-on with the day-to-day work that I saw the real possibility. It wasn’t a big, shiny dream—I just knew I could make it work because I understood the numbers and what needed to be done.
My First Hire
Here’s something I didn’t expect: Hiring is HARD. But that first hire? It’s a game-changer. At first, you’re stretched thin, managing everything on your own, and there’s a part of you that wonders, “Can I really afford to give up any of the income right now?”
The answer? Yes, you can. But it won’t be easy.
Hiring is all about scale. It’s about deciding that it’s time to trust someone else to help you grow. For me, it took a lot of trial and error—and a whole lot of learning how to interview, manage, and lead. If I could go back, I’d tell myself to focus on hiring sooner, even if it meant taking a hit financially. It would’ve saved me a lot of stress.
You hire more people, expand your services, and think strategically about what your clients need and want. At first, it felt like we were treading water, trying to keep up with everything, but as we brought in more talent and focused on serving our local businesses, things started to work.
Today, we’ve gone from a handful of clients to over 200 300. We’ve learned how to fine-tune our offerings, specialize in what we’re really good at, and make sure we stay true to our mission.
The Importance of Word-of-Mouth
One of the biggest things I’ve learned in these past few years is just how important word-of-mouth really is. At first, I didn’t put much thought into it. But over time, I realized that building relationships, asking for referrals, and listening to clients (really listening) is what makes or breaks your growth.
We didn’t start focusing on this until year five, but looking back, I wish I had done it from the very start. It’s not enough to have a great product or service—you need to make sure people know and trust you. Networking, connecting, and spreading the word are everything.
Keep It Real
The most important thing I’ve learned through all of this is to keep it real. Being down-to-earth, approachable, and clear with our clients has made all the difference. There’s no jargon, no fancy talk—just a simple, straightforward approach that makes sense for small businesses.
So, if you’re out there, thinking about taking the leap, just remember: You don’t have to have it all figured out from the beginning. Starting small means starting real. And real always wins.