There I was, in my first year of business, sitting down to create a year-long plan, thinking I had it all figured out. I mapped out exactly when I was going to launch, the secret to hitting $100K months, and how I would execute my first multiple six-figure launch. But you know what happened? None of those goals materialized. Why? Because I didn’t account for one key truth: business growth is not linear.

The Reality of Business Growth

Starting and growing an online business is a lot like going to college. Some people know exactly what they want to do—becoming a doctor, nurse, or social worker—and that clear path carries them through four years of study. Others, like me, start with one idea and adjust as they learn more. As they discover their strengths and passions, they refine their vision.

When I launched my business, I didn’t yet understand the importance of focusing on the next step instead of the entire picture. My business evolved dramatically as I gained experience and clarity. It’s okay to change direction—it’s part of the process.

2024: A Year for Reflection and Planning

As we approach 2024, now is the perfect time to reflect on the past year and plan for what’s ahead. Annual planning is not about creating a rigid roadmap. It’s about setting intentions, refining your approach, and preparing for flexibility when the unexpected happens.

Here are some actionable steps to set yourself up for success:

1. Reflect on What Worked and What Didn’t

Take a sheet of paper or open a Google Doc. On one side, list everything that worked for you in 2024. On the other, write what didn’t work. Avoid overexplaining or blaming yourself—this exercise is about identifying patterns and opportunities for growth. Once you’ve done this, dive deeper:

• Why did the successful strategies work? Was it alignment, planning, or consistency?
• Why didn’t the others succeed? Was it timing, resources, or external factors?

2. Start, Stop, and Continue

Based on your reflection, create three lists:

• Start: New strategies, habits, or projects you want to introduce.
• Stop: Actions or approaches that no longer serve you.
• Continue: What’s already working that you can double down on.

3. Focus on Time Off and Sustainable Goals

Plan your time off first. Yes, you read that right. Mark vacations, holidays, and breaks on your calendar. Then, build your business goals around these non-negotiables. This prevents burnout and helps you prioritize what matters most.

My Journey: Learning Through Reflection

In August 2019, I launched a course on executing a multiple five-figure launch, believing it was the key to a $25K month. I hadn’t yet hit a $5K month, but I thought launching a course was the solution. The result? I sold $0.

Why? Because I hadn’t built the foundation to support that kind of success. I was chasing a goal without assessing my current skills and resources. That experience taught me to focus on where I was and build from there, step by step.

In 2020, I started with just $200 and a dream. That year, I grew my business to $220K in cash. How? By reflecting, planning, and executing strategies aligned with my stage of business growth. Now, I’ve helped over 350 female entrepreneurs build businesses they love, many achieving consistent $5K months and beyond.

Client Success Stories

Here are just a few examples of clients who thrived by focusing on the next step:

• Keri W.: Before working with me, Keri often felt like she was doing a lot but getting very little in return. After our work together, she completely transformed her outlook and approach, turning her side hustle into a strategic business that’s both effective and fun.
  
• Alyana: Alyana doubled her prices and signed a new 1:1 client within just one month of working with me. She created a brand-new offer for a fresh audience and learned to sell in a way that brings in recurring income. This led to her making more in one month than she had in the prior six months combined.
  
• Sarah C.: Sarah signed three clients in her first month working with me as her online business coach. She now confidently handles sales conversations, attracts inquiries about her offers, and sees her marketing efforts paying off without feeling drained.
  
• Kas D.: Kas describes me as a comforting hug combined with a smart and powerful business mentor. She values the honest feedback I provide and the actionable steps we work on together, calling me an invaluable part of her business journey.
  
• Micyala: Micyala credits my coaching for giving her exactly what she needed to propel her business forward. She highlights my knowledge, honesty, and the supportive environment I create, helping her achieve clarity and results.

The Power of Refinement

Refinement is the younger sister of mastery. It’s not about burning everything down and starting over; it’s about improving what already works. Planning for 2025 isn’t about perfection. It’s about creating a framework that allows you to take action, adjust, and grow.

Ready to Build Your Dream Business in 2025?

If you’re ready to reflect, plan, and create a business that aligns with your goals, the Scale to $5K Monthly Membership is here to help. This program offers:

• Tools to assess your current business stage and set actionable goals.
• Strategies to build consistent $5K months and beyond.
• Access to sales psychology, content planning, and selling scripts to simplify your process.

Click here to join Scale to $5K and make 2024 your best year yet!