How One Change Saved Our Sanity

Greg’s Perspective:

I’ll be real—there were days when I felt like we were running in circles. We’d wake up early, go to bed late, and still feel like we were barely keeping things together. Every time we crossed one thing off our list, ten more would pop up. It felt like no matter how hard we worked, we were stuck.

There was one particular moment that stands out. It was after a long event day, and we were packing up. I could see it in Taniesha’s face—exhaustion, frustration, and this unspoken question: How are we going to keep doing this?

Taniesha’s Perspective:

Survival mode. That’s exactly what it felt like. I’d wake up thinking about everything that needed to get done and go to bed feeling like I’d barely scratched the surface.

It wasn’t just the work; it was the pressure. The pressure to make sales, to show up for customers, to make sure everything looked perfect. And no matter how much effort we put in, it felt like we were just treading water.

One day, I caught myself scrolling through our to-do list, trying to figure out what to tackle next, and it hit me: Why are we doing all of this? Is any of this actually moving us forward?

The Turning Point

It wasn’t one big moment—it was a series of little realizations. We started asking ourselves tough questions:

• Why are we spending hours on tasks that don’t bring in sales?

• What’s really working in our business, and what’s just keeping us busy?

• How can we stop running in circles and actually move forward?

That’s when we made a decision: we needed to stop trying to do it all and start focusing on what actually mattered.

The Shift

Here’s what we changed:

1. We Focused on Our Best Seller
   Instead of trying to push everything we had, we zeroed in on the product that consistently brought in sales. We made it the star of every event, every post, and every pitch.

2. We Got Intentional About Customer Engagement
   Instead of focusing so much on the setup or the “perfect” display, we focused on people. Talking to them. Asking questions. Building real relationships.

3. We Prioritized Income-Generating Tasks
   Every day, we asked ourselves: What’s one thing we can do today that will directly bring in money? It wasn’t always a big move—it could be following up with a customer or sending out a promotion. But it always mattered.

What Survival Mode Feels Like

If you’re reading this, chances are you know the feeling:

• Exhausted: You wake up already tired, knowing your to-do list is longer than the hours in the day. You’re juggling everything—pop-up events, family responsibilities, and maybe even a full-time job—and it feels like there’s no end in sight.

• Stuck: You’re showing up at pop-ups, posting on social media, and putting in the effort, but you’re not seeing the sales or growth you expected. It feels like you’re spinning your wheels without moving forward.

• Frustrated: You have big dreams of growing your business, maybe even turning it into your full-time gig, but you don’t know how to bridge the gap between where you are now and where you want to be.

We’ve been there. And if you’re like us, you might feel like you have to do everything just to keep your head above water.

But here’s what we’ve learned: staying in survival mode isn’t the answer.

The Takeaway: Focus on What Matters

You don’t have to do it all to succeed. The key is focusing on what works—the tasks that bring in money, build connections, and move your business forward. Here’s how:

1. Find Your Best Seller

Take a close look at your sales. Which product or service consistently gets the most interest? That’s your bread and butter. Focus on promoting it, refining it, and making it even better. For example:

• If you’re selling handmade jewelry, lean into your most popular design. Create variations or limited editions to build excitement.

• If you offer a service, like catering or photography, spotlight client testimonials or success stories that feature your most in-demand package.

Why it matters: Focusing on your best seller helps you work smarter, not harder. Instead of spreading yourself thin across a dozen products or services, you’re leaning into what’s already working.

2. Engage With Your Customers

Building genuine connections with your audience is one of the most effective ways to grow. Here’s how:

• At pop-up events, strike up conversations with every visitor—even if they don’t buy. Ask them what they’re looking for or share a quick story about why you started your business.

• Follow up with past customers. A simple “Thank you for supporting my business” text or email can go a long way.

Why it matters: People buy from people they connect with. A friendly conversation or personal touch can turn a casual browser into a loyal customer.

3. Do One Money-Making Task Each Day

You don’t need to do everything—you just need to focus on the tasks that directly impact your bottom line. Here are a few examples:

• Secure your spot at a high-traffic pop-up event.

• Post a time-sensitive promotion on social media, like a flash sale or exclusive offer.

• Follow up with leads who’ve shown interest in your products or services.

Why it matters: Not every task in your business is equally important. Prioritizing money-making activities ensures you’re consistently moving closer to your goals.

Why This Matters for You

When you focus on what really matters, you’re not just running a business—you’re building a future.

Your business deserves to thrive, and so do you. So, let go of the distractions, lean into what works, and remember: you’re not in this alone.

If you’re ready to start working smarter in 2025, grab our free business planning template and watch our mini masterclass. These tools are designed to help you get out of survival mode and into growth mode.

👉 Get the Checklist & Training Here

Let’s make 2025 the year you finally break free from survival mode. 💼

With love and hard-earned lessons,
Taniesha & Greg