If I Were Starting a Business Today, Here’s Exactly What I’d Do

Starting and growing a successful brick-and-mortar business takes more than just hard work—it takes strategy.

When I started my first business, I thought working harder was the key to success. I handled every problem, worked around the clock, and felt like I could never step away. On the surface, my business was thriving—sales were up, customers were happy, and my brand was growing—but behind the scenes? I was drowning.

Looking back, I see exactly what I should have done differently. And if I were starting over today? Here’s what I’d do from day one to build a profitable, scalable business—without burning myself out in the process.

What I’d Do First to Build a Profitable Business

When I started my business, there were a few key things I got right from day one—and they made all the difference. These strategies helped me build a thriving, profitable business and avoid some of the pitfalls that keep many business owners stuck.

If I were starting today, these are still the first things I would prioritize to set my business up for long-term success.

1. Choosing the Right Location for My Target Market

From day one, I knew location could make or break my business. I didn’t just choose a spot because it was trendy or had a low lease—I made a strategic decision that set me up for long-term success.

I focused on:

✅ High traffic – Ensuring organic visibility and easy access for customers.

✅ My ideal customer’s habits – Placing my business where they already shopped, not where I hoped they’d go.

✅ Sustainable lease terms – Selecting a location my business could afford on its own, without relying on shared expenses or future growth to cover costs.

Too many business owners take a risk on an expensive space, assuming they’ll grow into it. I made sure my business could thrive from day one with a location that worked for both my customers and my bottom line. I never made the mistake of picking a spot just because it was “cute” or had a cheap lease.

2. Collecting Customer Emails and Phone Numbers Immediately

One of the smartest things I did when I opened my business? I built my customer list from day one. While many small businesses relied only on foot traffic, I made sure I had a direct way to reach my customers—beyond just hoping they’d walk through the door.

📩 Email marketing – I collected emails at checkout to send promotions, updates, and reminders, driving repeat business.

📩 SMS marketing – I used text message marketing to keep customers engaged and notify them about sales.

📩 Customer database – I built a loyal customer base that wasn’t at the mercy of social media algorithms.

(And fun fact: when I opened my first store, social media wasn’t even a thing! 😳 Yet, email marketing still worked like a charm.)

Having this system in place ensured I wasn’t just hoping people would return—I was actively bringing them back. 

 3. Taking Calculated Risks and Trusting Myself

A huge part of my success came from trusting my gut and taking smart risks. I didn’t wait for permission, and I didn’t let fear keep me from making bold moves.

🧨 I took risks when others told me to play it safe. I made strategic investments, even when they felt uncomfortable, because I believed in my vision.

🧨 I pivoted quickly when something wasn’t working. Instead of sticking to a plan that wasn’t profitable, I adjusted fast and stayed ahead of the game.

🧨 I ignored outdated “rules” and focused on what worked. Not every piece of advice applies to every business, and I learned to trust what worked for mine.

Too many business owners get stuck overthinking or waiting for the “perfect time.” I didn’t let that happen—I took action, adjusted along the way, and kept moving forward.—again and again.

Mistakes I’d Avoid If I Were Starting Today

Now, let’s talk about what I didn’t do soon enough—some of the things that, in hindsight, would have saved me years of stress and exhaustion.

4. Hiring Key Team Members Sooner

I hired, but I waited too long to bring in the right people for the right positions.

At first, I thought, “I can just do it myself—it’s faster that way.”  

I also kept team members in positions for far too long that we either didn't need or they weren't the right fit for.

Sound familiar?

Here’s the truth: holding onto tasks that aren’t CEO-level keeps you stuck.

If I had hired strategically earlier, I could have:

🔥 Focused on business growth instead of daily operations.
🔥 Delegated customer service, inventory management, and admin work.
🔥 Taken time off without stressing that things would fall apart.

If you’re still doing everything in your business, it’s time to hire.

5. Tracking Key Business Metrics From Day One

I tracked sales, but I didn’t dive deep enough into:

📊 Profit margins – Revenue doesn’t equal profit. Tracking profitability per product/service was game-changing.

📊 Inventory management –Being under-stocked or over-stocked can literally make or break your business.

If you’re not tracking these numbers, you’re making decisions based on guesses—and guessing doesn’t pay the bills.

6. Investing in a Mentor Early Instead of Waiting 12 Years

This is one mistake I kick myself over.

For years, I tried to figure things out on my own. I read books, watched free content, and pieced together strategies.

But once I finally hired a mentor? Everything changed.

💡 I streamlined operations and cut wasted time.
💡 I learned how to scale without working more hours.
💡 I avoided expensive mistakes because I had expert guidance.

Looking back, I can confidently say: hiring a mentor earlier would have saved me YEARS of struggle.

7. Setting Boundaries So My Business Didn’t Own Me

I spent too many years thinking working harder = success.

Reality check: Long hours don’t equal growth—smart systems do.

Here’s what I finally did (that I should have done sooner):

🚫 Stopped answering customer messages at all hours.

🚫 Fully trusted my team because they were the right people in the right positions.

🚫 Took time off without guilt—because my business was set up to run without me.

If you’re burning out, it’s not a badge of honor. It’s a sign you need better boundaries and stronger systems.

The Bottom Line: Work Smarter, Not Harder

Some of these strategies fueled my success. The ones I overlooked? They kept me grinding way longer than necessary.

If I had implemented them sooner, I’d have been sipping margaritas on a beach years ago. 😉

If you’re stuck in the grind, trust me—you don’t have to be.

How My Coaching Can Help You Implement These Strategies Faster

One of the biggest mistakes I made was waiting too long to seek guidance. That’s why I created my coaching program—to help business owners like you skip the trial and error and fast-track your success.

When you work with me, you’ll get:

✅ Personalized Strategy – We’ll pinpoint exactly what’s keeping you stuck and create a clear, actionable plan to fix it.

✅ Accountability & Support – No more second-guessing. I’ll help you stay on track and move forward with confidence.

✅ Proven Systems & Frameworks – Instead of figuring it out on your own, I’ll give you the exact steps to scale your business without sacrificing your time and energy.  

🔥 Want to avoid these mistakes and fast-track your success? APPLY FOR ONE OF MY COACHING SPOTS HERE

The Tools I Wish I Had When I Started (So I Built Them Myself) 👀

OK, if you came directly from my email just for this announcement, here you go!

After searching for solutions for my current clients and coming up empty-handed, I realized a major gap in the market—small businesses, especially in Canada, lacked affordable, easy-to-use tools to manage inventory and automate customer engagement. That’s why I’m launching two brand-new projects just for retailers! 🔥

✅ Inventory Management Spreadsheet – Managing inventory efficiently is one of the biggest challenges retailers face. Too much stock ties up cash flow, too little leads to missed sales. My new inventory management spreadsheet, which is heading into beta testing this week, is designed to help you:

1️⃣ Make Smarter Buying Decisions – Know exactly how much inventory to purchase in each category to meet sales goals while avoiding overbuying

2️⃣ Track Inventory in Real Time – See beginning inventory, on-order inventory, and projected month-end inventory all in one place

3️⃣ Improve Cash Flow Management – Use Open-to-Buy (OTB) calculations to prevent tying up cash in excess inventory

4️⃣ Optimize Inventory Turnover – Ensure stock is moving at the right pace by tracking turn rates and adjusting buying strategies accordingly

5️⃣ Simplify Inventory Planning – Get a clear, data-driven guide for restocking, seasonal planning, and maximizing profitability.

I used an inventory management company and while I paid around $1500/month for that service, I still believe it's worth it.  Because not all retailers want to invest that kind of $, I took the key metrics I used to manage my inventory and created this tool for you! I can tell you firsthand how incredibly valuable it is! Knowing my numbers saved me thousands of dollars and prevented so many inventory headaches.

2. Email Capture and Automation System – Capturing customer emails and automating follow-ups was one of the most profitable things I ever did in my business. Yet, I couldn’t find an affordable Canadian solution tailored to small businesses—so I built one!! This system will help retailers:

1️⃣ Recover Lost Sales on Autopilot – Bring back customers who abandon their carts, browse but don’t buy, or haven’t shopped in a while—without manually following up.

2️⃣ Turn First-Time Buyers into Repeat Customers – Automated post-purchase and win-back emails encourage customers to buy again, increasing lifetime value

3️⃣ Reduce Reliance on Paid Ads – Build an owned email list that keeps driving sales without constantly spending on ads or social media reach

4️⃣ Capture More Leads & Grow Their Email List – High-converting pop-ups and forms ensure retailers don’t miss out on potential customers visiting their site

5️⃣ Save Time While Increasing Revenue – With a fully set-up, done-for-you email system, retailers can focus on running their business while emails work behind the scenes.

I used a similar email automation system in my retail business, and I can confidently say that it made me thousands of dollars that I would have otherwise left on the table.

Stay tuned for more details—I CANNOT wait to share how these tools can transform your business!