Wasn't your business supposed to free you?
Make your business fuel your life, not drain it.
You're good at what you do. You enjoy it, or at least you used to. And one day it hit you: you could do this on your own! You'd set your own schedule, charge what you're worth, and eliminate the stress of working for someone else.
You started a business to Do The Thing. And then the trap sprang. Now, you're doing accounting. Marketing. Sales. Bookkeeping. Management. Customer support. All the things you never wanted to do, and never trained for.
And occasionally, if you're lucky, you get to Do The Thing.
You aren't alone. Millions of skilled, creative people have started businesses–and then been ambushed by all the work of running a business.
Stressed-out small-business owners need tools they can drop in and use, and space to move toward a business that's actually making their lives better.
Even if your business is trying to own every bit of your life right now, you can turn it into one that you love having–one that makes you smile.
Book a strategy call to start reducing stress and re-making a business you love.
Dream business: the new toxic boss
The chaotic business wants everything–and still isn't satisfied
- Your daily work is a fire-hose—and at the end of the day, you’re exhausted with no time to dream.
- You have some terrific ideas–but no time to implement.
- People don't “get” what you do!
- You barely look at your finances–and you're scared to.
- You keep on learning about new problems you'd never thought about.
- It's ridiculously hard to close a sale–even when you know someone needs what you offer!
- You know you should strategize–but you're just trying to stay afloat. (And maybe get some sleep one day.)
simple systems that work
A small business needs install-and-go systems
- When you're already overwhelmed, you don't need college courses to get you ready for Corporate America. You need systems you can drop in today.
- You don't have “departments” for accounting, marketing, operations. There's just you and maybe a lean team. You need systems that can work without a lot of extra time and energy.
- You need systems to make sure you know where your money really stands.
- You need a framework, not guesswork, for marketing that brings in the right people.
- You need systems that work–but that fit you, not someone's generic idea of what should work.
Business Doesn't NEED TO be this hard
Been there. Done that. Found simplicity.
I did my undergrad in business. Mainlined Warren Buffett's writings. Earned the Chartered Financial Analyst® charter. Co-built a software business in Dhaka. Read, read, and read more. Got an MBA. Learned a lot, and tried for years to make it all fit together.
But small business is its own thing. And when I found Business Made Simple and the Small Business Flight School, I knew I'd found it. And I started integrating those frameworks into my business coaching through Common Thriving.
A simple set of frameworks anyone can use to make sure your business is headed in the right direction, and keeps on moving.
When we work together, you'll learn to use simple, proven small-business frameworks to help your business thrive and help you know it's doing well. But beyond those frameworks, you'll have someone in your corner. I've valued life-long learning to a fault. But now, through Common Thriving Business Coaching, I want to help you build simple systems, so your business can thrive without having to read an entire library of books.
Three Great PATHS To Reclaim Freedom
Self-Study
$30, $275, $2495
When you just need a starting point to start re-making your business.
A book, an online course, or a fully scripted path through six major areas to keep your business thriving.
Business Coaching
Starting at $350/mo
When the “need-to-dos” have been stuck for too long and you need regular support from someone who “gets” you and your business.
Structure, support, and guidance so you can enjoy running your business.
Community learning
$0, $25, $500/mo
Business doesn't have to be lonely. Learn the tools you need, with the support of people who get it.
Free meetups, “office hours” sessions, or a focused mastermind to build momentum and support.
or start with this free assessment or browse our services.
Your next right step
Taking huge steps forward doesn't have to be complicated.
If you're tired of feeling overwhelmed by your business, your next right step is simple.
- Schedule a call to figure out your best next step.
- Lean into learning and support.
- Enjoy a business and a life that make you smile.
Say goodbye to isolation and stress
You don't have to “fight through it” alone.
You got into business because you have something great to offer. You've learned a lot along the way. And maybe it still feels like there's a lot to learn.
But when you're running a business, there's a lot of pressure. Not only do you have to stay solvent, but–for a lot of us–there's the pressure to look successful. Maybe our customers won't buy if they see us facing challenges. Or suppliers won't give us the terms we need. Or people won't work with us or refer us.
It makes it hard to ask for help. It makes it hard to really connect with other business owners–who are probably facing the same issues–and get their input and support. It makes it hard for us as business owners–when there's a gut-twisting knot that keeps us up at night, but we can't safely talk with anyone about it, to get their help in solving it–and just in staying sane!
As a business coach, I help people solve business problems, whether through strategy frameworks or simple daily practices. As a coach, I help people understand their worlds and get better at business, at leadership, and at life. And I open a space where you can talk about all the stuff that keeps you up at night without worrying about judgment–and figure out what to do about it. And in our growth cohorts, we build that space with multiple people and give you the tools you need to keep your business running smoothly.
If you're tired of fighting through entrepreneurship alone, if you're tired of doing business the hard way, we should talk.
I know how hard it is to build a business. If you book a call, I won't add to your stress by trying to push you into working with me–and sometimes, we shouldn't work together. But in our 55 minutes together, I'll help you figure out what your next best step is–whether that's working with someone else, a bit of self-study, or signing up for a mastermind.
Joel Iwashige, MBA, CFA; Business Made Simple Certified Coach; Kansas Leadership Center-trained Leadership Coach
Free Business Report
Get a free, self-administered assessment to understand where your business stands in six important areas–and ways to improve the weak points. You'll also get alerts about free book-discussion meetups, upcoming mastermind cohorts, and ways to grow your business and connect with community.