If I Started My Online Business From Scratch Today. . .

If I had to start my business from zero again, I’d do things very differently.

Not because what I did didn’t work, because it did. It got me to six and then seven figures. But I can see now how much time I wasted in the wrong places, how much energy I spent trying to do everything myself, and how long it took me to understand what actually moves the needle.

If I started over today, here’s exactly what I’d do instead.

1. I wouldn’t waste time “networking” in Facebook groups or cold DM-ing dream clients.

When I was first starting out, I thought the secret to growth was visibility at all costs.
I said yes to every collaboration, joined every group, and spent hours trying to connect with “ideal clients” in the comments section.

But here’s what I learned: relationships built on authenticity scale faster than outreach built on desperation.

Referrals, shared trust, and genuine connections move your business forward further and faster than any cold message ever will.
If you want your brand to grow, focus on building credibility and community.

2. I wouldn’t build a massive menu of services.

Most entrepreneurs start with the “say yes to everything” phase. It feels like the safest way to bring in income: offer everything, and surely someone will say yes.

But that model will cap your income and your energy.

If I were starting over, I’d focus on one offer and master it. I’d make it the go-to solution for a specific type of client and deliver it better than anyone else in the market.

When you simplify your offer suite, you also simplify your marketing, your messaging, your delivery, and your operations. And that’s when the scaling begins.

3. I wouldn’t obsess over Instagram aesthetics.

Let’s be honest - most of us have lost hours tweaking our brand colors or designing the perfect grid.

But aesthetics don’t build trust. Authenticity does.

If I were starting today, I’d post raw, unfiltered, transparent content that actually connects. I’d share more behind-the-scenes, more real stories, and more proof that I know what I’m talking about.

Vulnerability and value convert faster than a perfectly curated feed ever will.

4. I wouldn’t chase volume.

When you’re building a business, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking “more clients equals more success.”

But more clients often means more chaos.

If I were starting today, I’d focus on fewer, higher-quality clients and build deeper relationships.
I’d prioritize retainer clients and recurring revenue instead of piecing together a patchwork of one-off projects that drain energy.

Your goal should never be to stay busy. It should be to stay in your zone of genius.

5. I wouldn’t try to be the engine of my business.

This might be the biggest lesson of all.

For too long, I was the bottleneck. Every decision, every system, every deliverable ran through me, and it kept me from actually scaling.

If I were starting over, I’d build systems from day one. Automations, workflows, and templates that make growth possible without working longer hours.

The truth about scaling

Scaling isn’t about working harder.
It’s about working smarter.
It’s about having systems that support you, a strategy that simplifies growth, and the mindset that allows you to stop doing it all yourself.

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If you’ve been waiting for a sign to finally get out of the weeds and start leading your business instead of running inside it, this is it.

I’m hosting a free live webinar on October 15th at 12 p.m. PST to show you exactly how to make that shift.

Not the fluffy, recycled business advice that’s all over the internet, but the actual systems, strategies, and automations that help you step out of the day-to-day and still see revenue rolling in.

You’ll learn:

• What to focus on first when building a scalable foundation

• The key systems that free up your time without slowing your growth

• The automations that let you stop being the one who holds everything together

It’s free. It’s live. And it might just be the most valuable 60 minutes you spend on your business this year.

Comment “WEBINAR” on this post or sign up through the link in bio to reserve your spot.

Because if you’re dreaming of making 2026 your year, this is where it starts.