Mistakes to Avoid as a New Business Owner (and How to Overcome Them)

You know what most business owners have in common? The overwhelming realization that 99% of them had no clue what they were doing when they started out. Especially in the online space, where around 90% of entrepreneurs have prior expertise but lack the business knowledge to scale effectively. Growing an online business isn’t something most people learn in college, and that’s okay. The good news? You’re not alone, and you don’t have to stay stuck.

In my first two years, I’ve helped over 20 women hit their first $5K months, and in the process, I’ve noticed three common mistakes nearly everyone makes starting out. If you’re ready to learn the mistakes to avoid as a new business owner and set yourself up for success, keep reading.

1. Not Being Clear on Who You Help and How You Help Them

Here’s a truth bomb: if you’re trying to speak to everyone, you’re connecting with no one. The fear of narrowing down your ideal client is real, but staying too broad can hold you back in so many ways. Think of it like a trip to Target: if you wander through the aisles letting the store “tell you what you need,” you’ll waste time and probably end up with a $200 receipt. In business, time and money are even more precious. Don’t waste either.

When you’re not clear on who you’re helping, you can’t speak directly to their problems. And here’s the kicker: people buy solutions to their specific issues, not vague promises. For example, business owners often talk about time being a precious resource. A targeted version of this is, “working in pockets of time while your kids are napping.” Even though I don’t have human babies, I’ve had to work in chunks of time because of my own version of chaos (wild animals). This level of specificity connects deeply with your audience.

Takeaway: Narrow your focus and speak directly to your ideal client’s pain points and desires. This clarity will make your offers irresistible.

2. Not Learning Sales Skills (and Letting Marketing Do All the Work)

I’ll be honest—I didn’t want to learn sales either. When I interviewed for my last sales position, I told them, “I can’t sell, but I’ll try.” But here’s the thing: sales is not about being pushy or sleazy. It’s about effective communication. When you frame sales as a way to solve your client’s problems, everything changes. If they don’t have a problem, you’re not selling—and that’s okay.

The truth is, lack of sales skills often equals lack of revenue. Marketing might get people in the door, but sales closes the deal. If you’re in business, you’re in the business of making money, and learning how to sell effectively is a non-negotiable skill.

Takeaway: Reframe your mindset around sales. It’s simply a way of communicating how you solve a problem. The more confident you become in this skill, the more consistent your revenue will be.

3. Letting Current Situations Dictate Your Reality

As the CEO of your business, you are also the CVO—Chief Visionary Officer. Your job is to hold the vision for where your business is going, not just where it is now. Without a clear vision for the next 5 or 10 years, you risk making decisions that only get you to the next step, rather than aligning with your ultimate goals.

Having a long-term vision isn’t just about you. It allows your team (even if it’s just you and a VA for now) to buy into something bigger. It motivates everyone involved to work toward a shared goal. While most businesses start small, your ability to dream big and plan strategically is what will set you apart.

Takeaway: Get clear on your 5- and 10-year goals. Use this vision to guide your decisions, inspire your team, and keep your business moving toward long-term success.

My Journey: From $200 to $220K

Hi, I’m Meghan, and I know firsthand what it feels like to struggle in those early days of business. I started with just $200 and a big dream, and in my first year, I turned that into a $220K business. Since then, I’ve worked with over 350 female entrepreneurs, many of whom were making $5K months or less, and helped them transform their businesses into thriving, scalable ventures.

Sales was never my natural talent—in fact, I struggled just like many of you. But once I mastered sales psychology and learned how to communicate effectively with clients, everything shifted. Now, I teach those same strategies to my clients in ways that feel authentic and aligned with who they are.

Client Wins: Proof That It Works

Here are just a few of the incredible transformations my clients have achieved:

• Ashley M.: Generated $14.5K in sales in just one week and pre-sold half her launch spots before officially opening, ultimately earning $19.6K.
• Lacey M.: Turned a $175 investment into $50K in just three months by embracing sales skills and falling in love with the process.
• Taylor D.: Made $11K in one week by mastering buyer psychology and selling authentically in the DMs without cold pitching.
• Bri C.: Went from $3-4K months to consistent $10K months after refining her sales and marketing strategies, achieving her highest sales months ever.

Why You Need a Second Set of Eyes

Growing a business is tough. Sometimes you’re so deep in the day-to-day operations that it’s hard to see what’s working and what isn’t. That’s why having a mentor or coach can be invaluable. A fresh perspective can help you spot blind spots, refine your strategies, and fast-track your success.

Ready to Avoid These Mistakes and Hit $5K Months?

If you’re ready to get clear on your ideal client, master sales skills, and create a long-term vision for your business, the Scale to $5K Monthly Membership is here to help. This program is designed to give you the tools, strategies, and support you need to consistently hit $5K months and sign clients with confidence.

Click here to join now and start building the business (and income) of your dreams!