When I started my business I thought I could trade on my reputation.
After running the marketing for a multi-million dollar e-commerce business I had the track record.
I wish I could tell you it was an overnight success.
But it definitely wasn’t.
I said yes to everything because I didn’t know where the next client was going to come from.
I got clients but quickly expanded our services to do everything. 23 different things to be exact.
There weren’t enough hours in the day. I couldn’t see how we could grow without burning out.
After growing two seven figure businesses and helping hundreds of other business grow, I’ve come to realise there are three key phases.
What you focus on in each one is the difference between thriving and surviving.
In Phase One you’re just starting out and have got your first few clients. They often come from friends or family contacts.
You’re riding solo and it’s just you and your cat.
You say yes to every opportunity as you just want to get going.
Your focus in Phase One should be fitting your product to the market. Validating you have something that people actually want and will pay for.
All the marketing in the world can’t overcome a poor product and experience.
Nailing that means you’ve got something to grow.
In Phase Two you are making $10k-$20k a month in revenue with occasional spikes higher and lower.
You serve a general market and say yes to every opportunity but there are themes emerging of clients you deliver outsized results for and love to work with.
Your leads come from referrals and networking and there is no predictability of where the next one will come from.
You’re still riding solo or have a small team of contractors and collaborators .
It never feels like there’s enough hours in the day and you cant see how you can take on more work and grow without burning out.
In Phase Three everything changes.
Consistent $80k+ months
Predictable inbound leads
Authority positioning attracting premium pricing and clients
Systems and team rather than burn out and grind
The world is changing and the ability to leverage your time effectively while delivering great results to your clients has never been greater.
If you keep trading time for money you will burn out without truly reaching your potential
