7 Steps to Build Your Business
(Even When It Feels impossible)
Building a business feels like navigating a jungle. Many roads lead to Rome; there is no single right way.
These 7 steps are constants, no matter where you are, what you sell, or your legal system.
I’ll point out common roadblocks, how I would address them, and how I’ve guided clients through them.
Step 1: Clarify Your Core Offer & Audience
What many miss
You fall in love with your idea before validating demand.
You try to serve everyone and end up confusing your message. (I struggled a lot with this one)
You pick a niche based on what’s trendy rather than what you can deliver well.
Smart way to handle it
Start with one “smallest useful version” (a minimal service or digital product) — something you can deliver with your current skills.
Test that with real people (even friends, Family, or small paid trials) before scaling.
Write your offer in one sentence: “I help [who] do [what] so they can [outcome].” *
Ask: “Do people already pay for this problem?” (If not, you’ll have to educate them - that’s harder!)
*Example 1
“I help entrepreneurs [who] build sustainable, heart-led businesses [do what] so you can earn with purpose and live life on your terms, wherever they are in the world. [outcome]”
Example 2
“I help conscious entrepreneurs simplify their business and lifestyle so they can create freedom, balance, and long-term success - without burning out.”
Example 3
“I help purpose-driven professionals start and run successful remote businesses so they can work from anywhere and design a life they love.”
Example 4
“I help ambitious women turn their ideas into thriving businesses by aligning their strategy with their values, so you can grow with ease and create wealth.”
Use this as your base. Keep it honest, simple, and human. something that feels true today, not “perfect forever.” You can always refine it later as your business grows.
Bonus nuance often missed:
Sometimes the real friction isn’t market demand, it’s your own hidden fears. You might unconsciously choose a niche that feels safe but delivers little reward. Be mindful of that. Learn to lean into discomfort, that’s where genuine growth happens. Stay true to yourself while figuring this out. The world doesn’t need more copycats or more bad products.
Step 2: Build Your Business Foundation (Structures & Systems)
Real-life problem
You launch, do everything manually, and soon you’re drowning in admin, forget orders, lose invoices, and burn out trying to juggle it all. I learnt this the hard way and can’t urge you enough to look into this early on.
Smart way to address it
In early stage, automate what you can — simple tools like Google Sheets, make.com, email templates. I became an automation queen, if you need help with an automation that saves you at least 20 hours per week, contact me directly for an inquiry hello@greenplanetcosmetics.com
Use a consistent filing system (digital folders, shared drive) — name your files and dates properly. Practice order and routine.
Set up your basic accounting from day one (even if simple): track income, expenses, receipts!
Choose tools that scale (or migrate easily) — don’t fall in love with one you can’t escape later.
Tricky nuance:
Sometimes, when you build things quickly just to make them work, you create small “shortcuts” that turn into big problems later. That’s called technical debt. It’s okay to use shortcuts when you need to, just make a note of them and come back to fix them properly once you have time.
Step 3: Legal, Financial & Tax Setup
Real-life problem
You skip this, thinking “I’ll deal with it later.” Then you face fines, tax audits, or inability to scale due to registration limitations.
Smart way to address it
Research legal business types in your country (sole proprietor, LLC, etc.).
Register your business (or at least the name) early, even if you’re bootstrapping.
Open a separate bank account for business!
Understand your tax obligations: sales tax, income tax, VAT, even if you pay quarterly or yearly.
Consult with a local accountant or professional, even a short session can save you from costly mistakes. Trust me, I could write country songs about clients who tried to save money in all the wrong places.
Rare trick:
If you’re abroad or remote, some countries require local resident address or local trustee to register. Plan that ahead (use virtual address services or partner with a local). Don’t worry, I can help you navigate this. I’ve done it so many times around the globe.
Step 4: Marketing & Audience Building
Real-life problem
You build something great, but no one hears about it. Your social posts feel like crickets. You’re inconsistent or scatter across every platform. Been there done that - a lot! It happens to a lot of people - don’t shame yourself!
Smart way to address it
Pick 1–2 channels to start (e.g. Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, newsletter) and do them well, rather than being everywhere poorly.
Create high-value content (educational, not salesy).
Use content → lead magnet → email follow-up sequence as a funnel.
Collect emails early — your list is your most valuable asset.
Use small paid tests (ads, sponsored content) to validate audience interest.
Debated / under-discussed issue:
Algorithms shift, traffic sources change. Don’t become dependent on one platform (e.g. Facebook ad, Instagram). Always diversify: SEO, content, partnerships. Also, don’t ignore micro-influencers or collaborations in niche communities. word-of-mouth because it is the most trusted and effective marketing tool
Step 5: Sales, Pricing & Monetisation
Real-life problem
You underprice because you feel “you’re new” or “you’re not good enough yet” You fear rejection and lose potential clients. Or you shift focus so often no one understands what you offer.
I underpriced my products for years and it cost me greatly. Please, please, please do not fall for it!
Smart way to address it
Use value-based pricing — price based on outcomes, not hours.
Offer tiered pricing (entry, mid, premium) so people can enter your ecosystem.
Test & iterate pricing rather than assuming your first price is perfect.
Ask for testimonials and social proof early.
Offer limited-time or Early bird spots at lower price to early buyers, in exchange for feedback.
Tricky nuance:
Scarcity vs. transparency. People appreciate honesty: “This price is the early bird price” can work better than false scarcity.
Step 6: Operations, Scaling & Delegation
Real-life problem
You’re the bottleneck. You try to do everything, overwork, and can’t grow. Or you hire the wrong person and regret letting go control.
Smart way to address it
Document every process you do (creating deliverables, customer onboarding, billing).
Start delegating small tasks (e.g. admin, basic design) to freelancers or automate simply processes.
Use contracts, clear job scopes, feedback systems.
Measure results, not hours. If someone is doing additional 50%, it’s often enough to free your time.
Gradually scale — don’t add too much too fast.
Under-discussed tension:
When you delegate, your brand voice and quality might feel compromised. One possible solution: create templates, style guides, mood boards, and feedback cycles. Honest and direct communication is extremely important. Accept minor imperfections to free your time. Later you refine.
Step 7: Monitoring, Feedback & Pivoting
Real-life problem
You keep doing what you initially planned even when data and feedback show it’s failing. You get stuck in “hope mode.”
Smart way to address it
Set key metrics (revenue, conversion rate). Check them monthly or quarterly.
Create a feedback loop: surveys on social media chennel or to email subscriber, user test & feedback (i love those!)
Be willing to pivot or drop what doesn’t work (offer, audience, channel). If Instagram doesn’t work, stop wasting your time and money on it and focus on the chanel that does turn visitors into clients.
Occasionally revisit your foundational “one-sentence offer” - it may evolve.
Rare but crucial issue:
Confirmation bias: you might only listen to supporters, not critics. Seek honest outsiders who push back. Also, beware of over-pivoting (changing direction too often or too drastically, losing focus or consistency).
Bonus
How to Launch Your Business
Building your business is just the beginning, launching well is the moment of truth. Here’s a compact guide
Pre-launch phase (2–4 weeks before)
Tease your launch via content and email.
Offer sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes, early access.
Invite beta testers, early bird programmes, waitlists or pre-orders.
Launch week
Open cart or service offer with clear messaging and deadline.
Use multiple channels (email, social posts) daily. When i started I totally underestimated this step. Now i know better.
Address objections or questions openly eg. via Q&A on social media.
Offer bonuses for early buyers (Early Bird price, extra consultation, templates or other useful freebies).
Post-launch phase
Send a “thank you” + onboarding sequence via social media or newsletter. Or to make it extra special, say thanks with a handwritten card in the first 100 orders.
Collect feedback and testimonials.
Analyse launch metrics (conversion rate, traffic sources) if you already have sufficient data.
Reinforce evergreen funnel and posts so the offer doesn’t die after launch week.
Bonus tip: treat your first launch as a learning experiment. don’t aim for perfection. Do it, gather data, and improve the next time. Trust me on this, I overdid my very first online shop trying to make everything perfect, and it collapsed on me (and I with it, by the way).
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