So you have a plan and it can make money. Here's what you do next.
Last week we explored the necessary screening filters to drag your business through before you indulge in a startup project of any kind, but in particular those related to crafts, hobbies, handi-work or other side-hustles. If you’re reading this blog, we assume you’ve done the math and it adds up. You’ve got a business with buffers that can hold up to the pressures of life and still make room to grow.
Here are the first four steps to set your business up for startup success, build momentum, and create something scalable.
1. Find Out If Anyone Wants It
You might have a great product, an inspiring vision, and a solid financial plan, but the real test is whether anyone wants what you’re offering. Where do you want your business to go? Who do you want it to impact? The answers to these questions define your business scalability and market potential.
Start by finding ten people in your target audience—ideally those who will give you honest, constructive feedback. Show them your idea, your product, or your plan. Listen carefully to their responses.
Let them tell you in their own words what they need, how they'd use it, and what would make it a no-brainer for them to buy.
It's one thing to dream up what the market might need; it's another to solve a genuine, existing problem. One iconic example is Dollar Shave Club's launch video. They nailed a simple, overlooked problem and solved it so well that the company sold to Unilever for $1 billion.

You don't have to think on that scale, but the principle is the same: the closer you hit the mark of what's actually needed, the greater your chances of success.
“If you can paint the picture, you’ll walk into it.
And if you can’t paint the picture, you won’t.”
Harold Warner
2. Paint the Picture
My dad told me this when I launched my first aromatherapy business over 25 years ago. He read my business plan, challenged my assumptions, and held me accountable for not just writing down ideas but seeing the plan clearly.
As the captain of your venture, you need to know exactly where you're headed and have a vision compelling enough to inspire others to join your journey. A clear destination helps navigate through inevitable storms. For guidance on developing your strategic vision, check out our blogs on strategic planning here and here. Leadership and an entrepreneurial mindset aren’t for the faint of heart, but if you’re committed, these articles will challenge you to map a bold, actionable plan.
"Trust doesn’t come from being right all the time; it comes
from being authentic and consistent over time."
Seth Godin
3. Build Your Crew
Having the right people on your team is even more critical than having the perfect plan. Why? Because the best ideas crumble in the hands of people who lack integrity or competence.
Your business is about people—your team, your clients, your partners. The better your business serves them and gives them something meaningful to be part of, the more likely it is to succeed. But success depends on having a crew you can trust. Look for two essential qualities:
- Authenticity: people who mean what they say
- Consistency: people who show up, do the work, and deliver every time

Once you've assembled a trustworthy crew, map out clear roles and responsibilities. Define who does what, how roles connect, and what skills you still need to add to your team. Visit our blog on solving the people puzzle for effective team building strategies.
4. Prepare for Heavy Lifting
At this point, you've got something people want, a realistic plan for making money, and a team you can trust. Now comes the challenging part: turning concepts into a functioning business.
Running a viable business isn’t just about the ideas; it’s about execution. Think about what it takes to manage your personal life well. There’s eating, getting enough sleep, keeping up with your fitness, staying connected to your family, keeping tabs on friends, mowing the lawn, cleaning the house, laundry, cooking meals, grocery shopping, learning a new skill, and…
…Netflix.
Now keep the endless juggle of all those parts going, while you add the complexities of running a business:
- Strategic planning
- Team management
- Marketing and sales
- Operations
- Quality control
- Customer service
- Financial management
- Legal compliance
It’s going to take ten times more work than you imagine.
The biggest mistake entrepreneurs make is underestimating the work required. When things get tough, they give up too soon. The problem isn’t that they couldn’t do it, the problem is that they failed to correctly estimate what was required to make it.
Decide now that no obstacle will out-muscle your determination.
Anticipate the hard times well before they happen, and you’ll be expecting them when they come. Entrepreneurship and running a business isn’t for sissies, but here’s the payoff: if you stick with it, success will be ten times better than you ever imagined.

One Bite at a Time
We'll pause here so you can put these principles into action. Next week, we'll continue with more essential steps for starting a business.
If you find it’s all a bit too much or overwhelming, this last little nugget might ease your mind: You don't have to navigate these waters alone.
If you're ready to launch but want experienced guidance, reach out to us and get in touch. We’d love to hear what you’re up to and get a peek at your plans.
Until the end of the year, you can book a free diagnostic consultation with one of our senior consultants servicing New Zealand & Australia and North America to review your plans and chart the best course forward.