03/17/2026
If I had to start a service-based business from scratch today, here’s exactly what I’d do:
1 Make sure I knew the service inside and out, and had actual evidence that I knew what I was doing. If you’re investing money, show a portfolio. If you’re trimming trees, make sure your trees are perfect. If you’re making merch, make sure your merch is excellent.
2 Don’t worry about the numbers, worry about the volume- don’t set sales goals or profit goals until you can’t say no to more work. Free time is expensive, and you can’t afford it. (Within reason, obviously find your baseline costs, and sell with a margin).
3 Make sure my sleep, and diet are a priority. This will lead to less mistakes and faster solutions. I spent so much money in the early days (and still, oops) spending money on food that I could cook at home for cheaper. My linen bedsheets are one of the best investments I ever made, truly.
4 Social media is huge, and obviously important. It’s less important than you think though, because your main volume is gonna be from word of mouth. So really start talking about what you’re doing, attend some events, go to parties with people who run businesses you like. Join your chamber. Content is always good to do and make, but when they “know a person” the line is easier to cross.
5 Document as much as you can, there is tons of stuff in your business that is directly your problem to fix, and with documentation you will save time. Our film printer is the most insane thing in the world to fix, and because it’s all written down - no more googling, or anything. I open MY OWN pdf. This will save time, and thus - money.
6 Change is good, but change also costs money. The new hot thing that makes your production slow down 5% before gaining 10% after 8 weeks - might not be your best move. Be very interested in change, but protect your own systems. They are working, and change will probably improve something - but what’s the cost? Financially, and time wise. Making an absolute 1% gain everyday is better than a MAYBE 10% gain every week. Read that again.
Simple wins. Repeatable systems. Scale later.
