A few months ago, I said yes to something I never planned for. Not a launch, not a rebrand, not even a new business idea (although, you know I love a good one). This time, I said yes to stepping into someone else’s business. Not just as a consultant, but as a true strategic partner. A hybrid of coach, COO, systems architect, trusted advisor, and personal hype woman. The kind of role that supports the visionary while quietly building the foundation that helps the entire business rise.
It started with a phone call.
I was catching up with an old friend from Maui, someone I used to meet for long lunches at Mama’s Fish House. We’d talk life, dreams, and business goals over ocean views and the best food. If you’ve ever run your own business, you know how rare and refreshing it is to talk to someone who just gets it. The big ideas, the late nights, the juggling of 24 roles under one job title.
Our friendship was always grounded in that mutual understanding. The kind that only comes from two entrepreneurs who know what it feels like to carry a dream and the weight of keeping it alive. Even after I moved, we stayed in touch, cheering each other on from afar.
A few months ago, she reached out after reading more about my shift away from social media and my focus on evergreen marketing. She told me how much she admired the way I built my business. How I always had a clear strategy, how I made it look simple (even when it wasn’t), and how she’d looked up to the way I did marketing for years.
On our call, she started opening up about the state of her business. Things were going well. But also, she was holding so much on her own. The pressure. The day-to-day chaos. The long list of things that weren’t getting done because she didn’t have the bandwidth to do them herself or the right person to trust with the work. She shared the frustration of wanting to grow but not knowing the next steps. And how much it took her away from focusing on the things she loved doing. The loneliness that comes from not being able to find someone who could truly see her business and help move it forward in a meaningful way.
As she was talking, I had this moment. That internal lightbulb flicker that happens when something just clicks. Because everything she was struggling with? That’s my sweet spot. The planning. The strategy. The organizing. The behind-the-scenes mapping that most business owners either avoid or just don’t have time for.
So, I said it.
“I think I can help you with that.”
Not in a passive “I’ll send a few resources your way” kind of way. But in a let me roll up my sleeves and get into the heart of this with you kind of way.
And that “yes” turned into one of the most fun things I’ve done in a long time.
When You Realize Your Business Skills Can Be a Service
Here’s the thing: I’ve started multiple businesses over the years. Some big. Some small. One even got acquired (which still feels surreal). I’ve done the whole build-from-scratch thing, and I’ve done the grow-from-momentum thing. Every time, the part that lights me up is the planning, the structure, the execution.
I love seeing the big picture. Then breaking it down into manageable steps that actually get done.
That’s my lane. That’s what I’m really really good at.
But for the longest time, I never considered that skillset as a service. I applied it to my own businesses without blinking. But offering it to someone else? That was new.
And yet, the second I started working with her, it just fit. It made so much sense. I got to do what I love—create systems, build workflows, set up plans—and she got to do what she loves, without constantly worrying that things were falling through the cracks.
The Truth About Entrepreneurship (You Don’t Have to Do It Alone)
One of the biggest myths in entrepreneurship is that we’re supposed to do everything ourselves. Be the visionary and the executor. The creative and the systems builder. The face of the brand and the brain behind the operations.
But the truth? Most people struggle to be both.
Some people are incredible visionaries. They’re creative, intuitive, full of ideas and passion. They know exactly what they want to create, but the how often feels murky.
Others are natural strategists. They love logistics, timelines, and planning. They find satisfaction in clarity, systems, and sustainable growth.
And sure, some people really are both. I’ve found myself in that space more times than I can count. Maybe it’s just years of building businesses from the ground up, but I’ve always been able to dream big and build the roadmap to get there. I can live in the vision and still love getting my hands dirty in the strategy. It’s not always easy, but it’s one of the reasons I’ve been able to launch, grow, and sustain multiple businesses over the years. If that’s you too—welcome to the club where we toggle between ideas and execution like it’s second nature.
But most entrepreneurs fall clearly on one side or the other. And the faster you figure out which one you are, the faster you can move your business forward.
Are You a Visionary or a Strategist? (Let’s Find Out)
Here’s a simple way to think about it:
You Might Be a Visionary If…
- You have a million ideas at once and feel energized by creative brainstorming.
- You love the big picture but struggle with the step-by-step.
- You procrastinate or freeze when it’s time to organize or plan.
- You get excited about launching something new but feel overwhelmed by follow-through.
- You know what you want your business to look like, but don’t always know how to get it there.
You Might Be a Strategist If…
- You naturally build systems, workflows, and checklists (and actually enjoy it).
- You love reverse-engineering a goal into a realistic plan.
- You thrive when everything has a process and place.
- You get a little thrill out of making things efficient and streamlined.
- You feel most confident when you know exactly what to do next.
Why This Matters So Much in Business Growth
Understanding your strengths isn’t just good self-awareness. It’s essential to your success.
When you know your lane, you can double down on it.
When you know your weak spots, you can get help in those areas instead of wasting time spinning your wheels.
I’ve seen so many incredibly talented business owners get stuck. Not because they’re not capable, but because they’re spending all their energy on the part of business they’re not built for.
A visionary trying to troubleshoot tech issues for hours? That’s how creativity gets buried under frustration.
A strategist trying to host a live launch without a clear plan? That’s when the stress kicks in before the Zoom room even opens.
A visionary trying to manage client onboarding logistics? That’s how things start slipping through the cracks.
A strategist trying to keep up with content trends and daily storytelling? That’s when the pressure to “be creative” becomes exhausting.
But when you pair up with someone who complements your strengths?
That’s when the magic happens.
A visionary trying to write SOPs for every process? That’s a fast track to abandoning the task halfway through.
How Outsourcing Can Accelerate Your Business (Without Losing Control)
I get it. Outsourcing can feel scary.
Handing parts of it to someone else can bring up all the fears:
Will they get it?
Will they do it right?
Will it still feel like mine?
But here’s the truth:
Outsourcing to the right person doesn’t mean losing control. It means gaining momentum.
When you bring in someone who knows how to do what you don’t, and genuinely loves doing it. You free yourself up to stay in your zone of genius. That’s not just good for your sanity, it’s good for your bottom line.
Your business moves faster. Your customers feel it. And most importantly, you feel more aligned, less stressed, and more fulfilled.
The friend I’m working with said something recently that stopped me in my tracks. She told me, “For the first time in my life, I feel like someone is doing a better job than I could have ever dreamed of.”
In the past, she had tried outsourcing. She hired help here and there, but no one ever quite got it. The work was okay, but never at the level she hoped for. So she kept taking it all on herself, believing that if she wanted it done right, she’d have to do it alone.
But now? She’s realizing what it means to partner with someone who not only gets it, but can elevate it.
She told me she finally feels like she can let go, trust the process, and know that it’s all being handled—even better than she imagined.
She described it as feeling like she was once chained to a business she loved. Stuck doing the tasks that sucked the color out of her creativity and dimmed the vision that once lit her up. And now?
She feels free.
Like she’s breathing again. Dreaming again.
Building Behind the Scenes, Cheering from the Front Row
As I reflect on this new chapter, I just feel overwhelmingly grateful.
Grateful that she trusted me with her vision.
Grateful that I get to wake up and do work I truly love. Strategizing, building, planning, and use it to lift someone else up in a way that actually makes a difference.
Grateful that somehow, all the messy, beautiful experience I’ve gathered over the years led me right here.
But beyond all of that, what I feel most is honored.
Because what she’s building? It’s special. She’s one of the most talented people I know. And to be able to support her behind the scenes, to create space for her to shine, to feel confident, to find her rhythm again. That’s the kind of work that fills me up.
There’s this moment I often catch myself in… where I feel like I’m sitting in the audience, just watching her step into her fullest potential. And I feel proud. Like deeply proud of who she is, what she’s creating, and how boldly she’s showing up.
Watching the people I care about thrive?
That’s it for me. That will always be the best part of what I do.
To play a small but meaningful role in helping someone else rise, to take something off their plate, make their day lighter, remind them what’s possible. That is the work that keeps me going.
And it’s a reminder to all of us: success isn’t just about building our own thing.
Sometimes, the most powerful impact we make is by helping someone else build theirs.
