Building a business isn’t a piece of cake, but it can be enjoyable

A fight you are destined to win

Entrepreneurship can feel like an uphill battle, especially when staying authentic to your vision. Let’s be honest: growing a business isn’t easy. But with a few minor tweaks, it can be less stressful—and yes, even enjoyable.

I launched my business in 2017, fresh out of college, after a failed attempt to work for my university left me uncertain about the future. Yet, I come from a lineage of business owners who set the tone for what’s possible against all odds. I watched my mother build businesses from scratch, and though she set the example, a part of me ran from that calling. Building a business isn’t a piece of cake. It takes intentionality and a firm decision to see it through.

There will be sleepless nights, 80-hour work weeks, and moments where you’ll question if this is what God called you to do. You won’t know until you start moving in the direction He’s leading. As you make decisions rooted in your relationship with Him, your steps become more refined. Before you know it, the path ahead becomes more precise.

At the beginning of 2024, after lending my talents to corporate America, I found myself back at the line of full-time entrepreneurship. Despite applying to countless jobs, the silence was deafening. Yet, I kept feeling frustrated with this path God wanted me on because it was uncomfortable. I’ve executed many ideas that didn’t yield the desired results. In this headspace, social media can be a dangerous place. You see peers succeeding and wonder, "What am I doing wrong?" From t-shirts to digital products, I’ve done it all. And now, I start over, taking all I’ve learned in the last season to begin again.

A successful business requires pivoting, also known as tweaks.

We can’t be afraid to start over. At each intersection, we gain clarity on our non-negotiables. We learn who we work best with and what type of deep work deserves our focus. Sometimes, we must take on tasks that don’t align with this newfound vision because bills still have to be paid. But we don’t have to compromise. We can say "no" when something doesn’t fit. And sometimes, we don’t know that until we experience it.

Here are five minor tweaks that can make growing your business less stressful and more enjoyable:

1. Prototype Quickly and Simplify: Don’t get stuck in the idea phase. Put your products or services before your audience and see what resonates. Reevaluate, gather feedback and refine based on how people respond. Less is more—find a sweet spot and fine-tune it.

2. Implement Daily Planning: Moving tasks out of your head into a management app or onto paper (like bullet journaling) can boost productivity. This helps you complete tasks within a reasonable timeframe and removes the pressure of remembering everything or asking clients for extensions.

3. Nail Down Your Authenticity Statement: You must be clear about who you are and what you offer this season. I created my authenticity statement as a guiding reminder: I am committed to inspiring women on their journey to grow in life, faith, and business. I lead by example through intentional strategies, dominating the digital space while staying true to my authentic voice. My brand reflects joy, fortitude, obedience, and accountability. Take my free ‘Grow Your Brand in 7 Days’ email course to help craft your authenticity statement.

4. Automate as Much as You Can: Use tools like Dubsado, Sunsama, and MailerLite to automate proposals, contracts, scheduling, recurring tasks, and email marketing. Automation should become your business bestie.

5. Celebrate Every Win: Create a culture within your business where even the smallest achievements are acknowledged and celebrated. This keeps motivation high and stress levels low.

It’s time to find joy and ease as you grow your business.

Remember, success isn’t about perfection—it’s about persistence, alignment, and authenticity to who you are. You’ve got what it takes. Don't let the discomfort of growth hold you back.

Your accountability partner,

Janae Carlee