7 Steps to Build Your Business
(Even When It Feels impossible)
Building a business feels like navigating a jungle. Many roads lead to Rome; there is no single right way.
These 7 steps are constants, no matter where you are, what you sell, or your legal system.
I’ll point out common roadblocks, how I would address them, and how I’ve guided clients through them.
Step 1: Clarify Your Core Offer & Audience
What many miss
You fall in love with your idea before validating demand.
You try to serve everyone and end up confusing your message. (I struggled a lot with this one! See below what helped me*)
You pick a niche based on what’s trendy rather than what you can deliver well.
Smart way to handle it
Start with one “smallest useful version” (a minimal service or digital product) — something you can deliver with your current skills.
Test that with real people (even friends, Family, or small paid trials) before scaling.
Write your offer in one sentence. (that’s like THE hardest challenge for me, which is why I booked professional help)
Ask: “Do people already pay for this problem?” (If not, you’ll have to educate them - that’s harder!)
Here’s one very specific example why I chose working with Maha Copy Co.
My original one sentence looked something like this:
Original Example 1
“I help you [who] set up your live and business [do what] abroad properly [outcome].
And boy was I proud to have reached it this far, because I had soooo much to offer and much to bring across. Too much as it turned out.
During our 1:1 session, Haley kept pushing me with questions like:
Example 2
“Are your people (the “you’s”) employed and still working from 9-5 or are they digital nomads who already work remotely? Because they are both different target groups with different needs and desires.”
Boom. There it was — the truth. So obvious, yet still so unclear. So, back to the drawing bord. Only this time I took my time. I took 6 days off and simply enjoyed my life (I believe I learnt to crochet and spent the rest of my days in nature).
On the 7th day I was overflwoing with ideas.
Example 3
“I help purpose-driven professionals run successful remote businesses so they can work from anywhere and design a life they love.” - was only one of the options.
I’m sharing this to give you more specific insight into what’s happening and what’s possible. And very importantly, you don’t have to figure it all out alone. I for one, I’m not a professional copywriter and I don’t want to become one. I’m a location-independet business expert. There is no shame in seeking help. The opposite, it’s essential for long-term success.
*My Tip:
If you have the funds, book with Haley or Madison or purchase the Maha Copy Co. template “Write Your Site Workbook” and “The Killer Sales Page” — I highly recommend both!
Bonus nuance often missed:
Keep it honest, simple, and human. something that feels true today, is not “perfect forever.” You can always refine it later as your business grows. Use all free resources that are available. I know it can be tough. But brainstorming with friends, google and Chatgpt already helps. Just be aware not to just copy/paste everything the AI’s give you. These sources get their info from the internet, not all we read on the internet is true, and copyright strikes are real!
Stay true to yourself while figuring this out. The world doesn’t need more copycats or more bad products.
Step 2: Build Your Business Foundation (Structures & Systems)
Real-life problem
You launch, do everything manually, and soon you’re drowning in admin, forget orders, lose invoices, and burn out trying to juggle it all. I can’t urge you enough to look into this early on.
Smart way to address it
In early stage, automate what you can: simple tools like Google Sheets, make.com, email templates. I became an automation queen and especially email organisatin saves me at least 20 hours per week.
Use a consistent filing system (digital folders, shared drive): name your files and dates properly. Practice order and routine.
Set up your basic accounting from day one (even if simple): track income, expenses, receipts!
Choose tools that scale (or migrate easily): don’t fall in love with one you can’t escape later.
Tricky nuance:
Sometimes, when you build things quickly just to make them work, you create small “shortcuts” that turn into big problems later. That’s called technical debt. It’s okay to use shortcuts when you need to, just make a note of them and come back to fix them properly once you have time.
Step 3: Legal, Financial & Tax Setup
Real-life problem
You skip this, thinking “I’ll deal with it later.” Then you face fines, tax audits, or inability to scale due to registration limitations.
Smart way to address it
Research legal business types in your country (sole proprietor, LLC, etc.).
Register your business (or at least the name) early, even if you’re bootstrapping.
Open a separate bank account for business!
Understand your tax obligations: sales tax, income tax, VAT, even if you pay quarterly or yearly.
Consult with a local accountant or professional, even a short session can save you from costly mistakes. Trust me, I could write country songs about clients who tried to save money in all the wrong places.
Tip:
If you’re abroad or remote, some countries require local resident address or local trustee to register. Plan that ahead (use virtual address services or partner with a local). Don’t worry, I can help you navigate this. I’ve done it so many times around the globe.
Step 4: Marketing & Audience Building
Real-life problem
You build something great, but no one hears about it. Your social posts feel like crickets. You’re inconsistent or scatter across every platform. Been there done that - a lot! It happens to a lot of people - don’t shame yourself!
Smart way to address it in my experience
Pick 1–2 channels to start (e.g. Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, newsletter) and do them well, rather than being everywhere poorly. I’ve experienced the difference first hand as I‘ve executed the first part of my social media career rather poorly.
Create high-value content (that actually helps someone improve a specific outcome, or share real life stories so others can learn from it).
Collect emails early — your list is your most valuable asset.
Use small paid tests (ads, sponsored content) to validate audience interest before spending a huge budget.
Possible issue:
Algorithms shift, traffic sources change. Don’t become dependent on one platform (e.g. Facebook ad, Instagram).
Always diversify: SEO, social media, partnerships and word-of-mouth (because it is the most trusted and effective marketing tool).
Step 5: Sales, Pricing & Monetisation
Real-life problem
You underprice because you feel “you’re new” or “you’re not good enough yet” You fear rejection and lose potential clients. Or you shift focus so often no one understands what you offer.
I underpriced my products for years and it cost me greatly. Please, please, please do not fall for it!
Smart way to address it in my experience
Use value-based pricing: price based on outcomes, not hours.
Offer tiered pricing (entry, mid, premium) so people can enter your ecosystem.
Test & tweak pricing rather than assuming your first price is perfect (I talk about this on my podcast Maria Unleashed).
Ask for testimonials and social proof early.
Offer limited-time or Early bird spots at lower price to early buyers, in exchange for constructive feedback.
Step 6: Operations, Scaling & Delegation
Real-life problem
You’re the bottleneck. You try to do everything, overwork, and can’t grow. Or you hire the wrong person and regret letting go control.
Smart way to address it in my experience
Document every process you do (creating deliverables, customer onboarding, billing).
Start delegating small tasks (e.g. admin, basic design) to freelancers or automate simply processes.
Use contracts, clear job scopes, feedback systems.
Measure results, not hours. If someone is doing additional 50% well, it’s often enough to free your time.
Gradually scale: don’t add too much too fast.
Possible Issue:
When you delegate, your brand voice and quality might feel compromised. One possible solution: create templates, style guides, mood boards, and feedback cycles. Honest and direct communication is extremely important. Accept minor imperfections to free your time. Later you refine.
Step 7: Monitoring, Feedback & Pivoting
Real-life problem
You keep doing what you initially planned even when data and feedback show it’s failing. You get stuck in “hope mode.”
Smart way to address it in my experience
Set key metrics (revenue, conversion rate). Check them monthly or quarterly.
Create a feedback loop: surveys on social media channel or to email subscriber, user test & feedback (i love those!)
Be willing to adjust or drop what doesn’t work (offer, audience, channel). If Instagram doesn’t work, stop wasting your time and money on it and focus on the chanel that does turn visitors into clients.
Occasionally revisit your foundational “one-sentence offer” - it may evolve.
Rare but crucial issue:
Confirmation bias: you might only listen to supporters, not critics. Seek honest outsiders who push back. Also, beware of over-pivoting (changing direction too often or too drastically, losing focus or consistency).
Bonus
How to Launch Your Business
Building your business is just the beginning, launching well is the moment of truth. Here’s a compact guide
Pre-launch phase (as early as possible)
Tease your launch via content and email. This was one of my key themes i always underestimated. Make sure you don’t!
Offer sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes, early access.
Invite beta testers, early bird programmes, waitlists or pre-orders.
Launch week
Open cart or service offer with clear messaging and deadline.
Use multiple channels (email, social posts) daily. When i started I totally underestimated this step. Now i know better.
Address objections or questions openly eg. via Q&A on social media.
Offer bonuses for early buyers (Early Bird price, extra consultation, templates or other useful freebies).
Post-launch phase
Send a “thank you” + onboarding sequence via social media or newsletter. Or to make it extra special, say thanks with a handwritten card for the first 100 orders. I did this for my brand green planet COSMETICS and my clients loved it. So much, that I kept it as a token of appreciaten.
Collect feedback and testimonials.
Analyse launch metrics (conversion rate, traffic sources) if you already have sufficient data.
Reinforce evergreen funnel and posts so the offer doesn’t die after launch week (posting evergreens made my life so much easier). In the beginning I thought I had to reinvent my social media posts, but jokes on me, evergreens work way better, save me valuable time, and create recognition.
Bonus tip:
Treat your first launch as a learning experiment. Don’t aim for perfection. Do it, gather data, and improve the next time.
Trust me on this, I overdid my very first online shop trying to make everything perfect, and it collapsed on me (and I with it, by the way).
