Creating a successful business online is an adventure - there's a lot that one has to experience and go through in day-to-day basis. But only some decisions really make all the difference. Let's talk about the most impactful business decisions I've made over a decade!
Having been in online business for more than 10 years, starting at just 19 years old, my early years were a whirlwind.
Honestly, I wouldn’t even count those initial years as foundational because they were all about figuring things out.
Now, I’m reflecting on the decisions that truly transformed my business.
Let’s dive into the best business decisions I’ve made and why they’ve been so impactful.
Listen to this in the podcast episode instead:
The hurdles of the early years
When I started my business at 19, my main goal was simple: to be location independent. I wanted the freedom to travel, explore, and live life on my own terms. But back then, I didn’t have a long-term vision. I was constantly jumping from one idea to the next, chasing the excitement of something new. While this approach taught me valuable skills and fostered resilience, it also hindered my ability to establish a solid foundation early on.
The shift only came years later when I started making intentional, long-term decisions. These are the decisions that have shaped my business today. Let me walk you through the top three.
1. Niching down: embracing focus for growth
Niching down is one of the oldest debates in the online business world. Should you niche down? Is it worth it? After working with countless digital product creators, online coaches, and business owners, I can confidently say that in most cases, it’s the best way forward.
For me, niching down was terrifying. I loved doing everything - web design, graphic design, printables, digital designs, and course creation. The idea of focusing on just one thing felt limiting. I worried that declaring my niche meant I’d be stuck with it forever.
But when I finally embraced niching down, it wasn’t out of pressure but alignment. I naturally gravitated toward helping course creators, and it clicked.
Course creation brought together all the things I loved: writing, designing, backend setups, exploring tools, and blending creativity with strategy.
This decision made everything easier - from promoting myself to clearly articulating my offers. My messaging became clearer, and my audience responded. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to niche down, my advice is to wait until it feels right. When you find alignment, niching down becomes a natural step forward.
2. Sticking to a clear brand: consistency over perfection
As a graphic designer, my early years were filled with constant rebranding. I changed everything - colors, fonts, logos, and even my offers - countless times.
My ADHD thrived on the novelty, but it cost me time and focus.
One of the best business decisions I made was to commit to a simple, muted, and minimalistic branding style. It wasn’t bold or flashy, but it felt aligned with me. The challenge was sticking with it over the years, especially as my preferences evolved.
Consistency, however, paid off. When your branding remains consistent, your audience starts to recognize and trust you. It simplifies content creation and eliminates the need to constantly update designs. Even if your branding isn’t perfect, sticking with it will always yield better results than frequent overhauls.
3. Long-term commitment: building certainty and focus
The third key decision that transformed my business was committing to long-term goals. For years, I struggled with inner resistance. I doubted my path and felt the urge to switch directions whenever challenges arose.
But when I started making decisions with a long-term mindset, everything changed. I stopped looking for quick fixes and instead focused on building sustainable systems and strategies. This shift not only brought stability to my business but also allowed me to grow with intention.
Final thoughts
Reflecting on these decisions, I’ve realized how much they’ve contributed to my success. Niching down gave me clarity and alignment, consistent branding built trust and recognition, and committing to long-term goals created stability and focus.
If you’re navigating your own business journey, I encourage you to reflect on what decisions feel aligned with your goals. And remember, the best business decisions often come with challenges and doubts, but they’re worth it in the end.
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEPS
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