Building a Business: Lessons, Successes, and the Power of Pivoting
Starting and running a business is a journey filled with challenges, triumphs, and valuable lessons. I got my start in blogging. I went from blogging to creating t-shirts, selling them, and selling everyday clothing and accessories in a boutique to launching a successful consulting company. My entrepreneurial journey has taught me how to navigate unexpected obstacles, leverage technology, and build systems that drive success.
So if you're just starting your entrepreneurial and business journey, I hope this blog post gives you inspiration. Also, I hope you learn a few things a long the way.
The Boutique That Showed Me Business Success Is Possible
I began with a simple boutique offering women's inspirational t-shirts, clothing, and accessories. The concept was straightforward—everyday fashion that customers could easily shop for. The simplicity worked, and sales steadily flowed in. However, my real growth came from applying the skills I learned along the way:
Live Streaming: Connecting directly with customers and showcasing products in real time.
Designing with Canva: Creating eye catching marketing materials.
Implementing Automated Systems: Setting up text message campaigns, automated emails, and building a user-friendly website.
SEO and Social Media Ads: Learning to drive traffic and conversions through strategic online marketing.
These skills propelled the boutique to success, but when the world shifted in 2020, so did customer priorities. Suddenly, people were no longer interested in clothing. They were more interest in essentials like toilet paper and groceries. With dwindling sales and mounting expenses, I had to close the store and plan my next move.
Learning to Build Wealth and Launching K&D Consulting Enterprises
As the boutique era came to an end, my husband and I turned our focus to building wealth and spirituality. We combined his passion for coaching with my expertise in business technology, leading to the creation of K&D Consulting Enterprises. The consulting firm quickly grew to six figures in 4 years, never lacking clients and becoming a blessing for our family. We still see clients today!
However, we faced a significant setback when we lost a corporate contract, prompting yet another pivot. We had to cut back on a lot of operations including closing our physical office. Yet, we are still operational through virtual calls.
The Birth of BizTech Yourself
The idea for BizTech Yourself emerged organically. Small business owners frequently sought my help for tasks like building websites, creating sales pages, and automating systems—things they didn’t have the time or expertise to manage themselves.
One pivotal moment was discovering GoHighLevel during a webinar. I was intrigued by the system and its potential for streamlining business operations. This curiosity paid off, as I mastered the platform and used it to transform my business offerings.
What I Achieved with GoHighLevel:
Website Creation: Built functional, attractive websites for clients.
Lead Generation: Designed web forms to capture leads.
Google Ads Integration: Ran successful ad campaigns, landing my first client within two days.
Text Messaging Automation: Set up campaigns to engage with customers.
Calendar Management: Created scheduling systems for better client management.
Automated Email Workflows: Streamlined communication through pre-scheduled emails.
Workflow Automation: Developed customized processes to optimize business operations.
Actionable Tips for Entrepreneurs
Based on my experience, here are some tips for business owners looking to build and grow their ventures:
1. Leverage Technology:
Tools like GoHighLevel can revolutionize your operations. From automating communications to managing leads, don’t be afraid to explore new systems.
2. Learn Continuously:
Whether it’s SEO, social media ads, or new software, staying updated on trends and tools is key to staying competitive.
3. Embrace Pivoting:
Business is about adaptability. When circumstances change, be prepared to shift your strategy.
4. Focus on Systems:
Setting up automated workflows and communication channels saves time and keeps your operations efficient.
5. Seek Support:
Don’t hesitate to ask for help or hire experts when necessary. Collaboration can lead to growth.
Final Thoughts
The path from boutique owner to tech-savvy business consultant was filled with lessons, setbacks, and successes. Through it all, the ability to adapt, learn, and harness technology has been invaluable. If you’re an entrepreneur facing challenges, remember: pivoting isn’t failure—it’s growth in action.
Other things we are doing: business acquisitions and acquiring fully functional brick and mortar businesses that are for sale.
