How to Have a Healthy Business

We have been having beautiful fall weather here in Minnesota and it’s reminded me of so many happy memories! When my kids were little, we always took a trip to an apple orchard. They loved exploring and running around and I loved buying juicy apples to eat and bake with.

Over the years, we learned about apple trees (and even had some at our house for a few years). We learned that smaller is better. Pruning the branches is important so the sunshine can hit every branch. Waiting until the right time to harvest the apples is crucial. And sometimes it takes a few years before you see the fruit.

I run three branches of our business: Rogers School of Music, Never Alone Business Services and Never Alone Coaching. Each one is like an apple tree. I keep each one pruned and small-ish, so it will produce good fruit. We pay ourselves first—and then decide how to spend the rest of the profits on staff, leases, automations, and services. I’ve never had the mindset of: “I’ll build this huge machine and eventually it will pay off.” We have intentionally grown slower and made sure we were always on payroll (no matter how small the check was!).

Sometimes we choose to cut expenses and trim branches back, to keep the entire structure healthy. There are programs we have discontinued and services we no longer offer. These branches were sucking our time and attention away from the rest of the business, and were not producing good fruit. It was time for them to go. Sometimes my business has felt “too small” compared to other people doing impressive things. But then I hear about their 12 hour work days and they say it’s impossible to go on vacation. They tell me they are the only ones who can answer the phone or unlock the building. It makes my heart sad and I realize that smaller and healthier is better.

So what do you do if your business is overgrown and not producing fruit (income)?

1. Scale back. Let go of that lease. Move somewhere smaller or a few blocks off the main highway. Negotiate your lease with your landlord. Make the choice to go smaller so you can have a healthier business.
2. Cut off those programs. It might be time to let those few clients know that a certain program or offer is being discontinued. When it’s taking time and effort and isn’t profitable, it’s time to let it go and focus on what’s working. If you’ve been trying to make it work for a few years, acknowledge that it’s time to trim it and let it go.
3. Evaluate all of your expenses. What can you cut out? What can you renegotiate? What can you do without? Take a good, hard look at where your money is going every month. By trimming expenses (and what you think you absolutely must have) you’ll have a healthier business with less money flying out the door every month. Let your spouse or admin or bookkeeper help you. It can be very hard to make these decisions, but sticking your head in the sand is not making your business healthier. It’s only delaying the inevitable and making your pain last longer (especially if you are bleeding money and stressed all the time).
4. Listen to your loved ones. Are they complaining that you work all the time? Is it true? Do you keep thinking, “We are sooo close. Just one more month. Just a few more clients.” Sometimes the best thing you can do is REST. Step away. Refill, renew, reset. You’ll come back to your work with fresh vision. Time goes so quickly—don’t neglect those you love for a business that is sucking all your time and cash. Go for a walk. Take a long drive. Shut off your computer. Take time to pray. Get some renewed perspective so you can make the best business decisions possible.
5. Stop comparing. I know that when I spend too much time looking at my competitors or my friends on Facebook, my heart sinks and my stomach tightens. It feels like everyone is doing bigger and better things than me. They are successful. I am struggling. The truth is, I’m seeing the backside of my business, like a messy cross-stitch. I’m only seeing their front picture. I have no idea how healthy their life or business is. I’m only seeing what they want me to see. I have to deliberately stop comparing, read a book, take a walk, or look at my own business newsfeed from the last year. Now I see how much good we are doing. Now I get my perspective back.

This week’s video is about apple trees. I want you to hear more about how you can grow your business strong and healthy-- and properly supported. I hope it encourages you as you grow and nurture your business.

It’s never too late to make adjustments or changes in your life! Be brave. Your future self will thank you.

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​Within our Never Alone Inner Circle, you get the support you need, exactly at the stage where you are at. We form small coaching circles so you can connect with other members on a deeper level. We are always encouraging and supportive--no matter what you're going through or what stage your business is in.
If you want to talk more, just schedule a call to talk. Let's talk about your goals and get you there.
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Check out this short video about Tracy's experience in the Inner Circle: