A Wake-Up Call for Those Who Think They’re Running a Business
Disclaimer: I often share from a Christian perspective, which means you’ll see biblical references. If that’s not your worldview, feel free to take what resonates with you and leave the rest. My hope is that these ideas help anyone realizing it’s time to solidify their business foundation—whether they’re faith-driven or not.
When It Feels Like Nothing’s Working
You’ve invested in mentors, attended conferences, bought online courses, and watched countless YouTube videos. You’ve listened to all the “secrets” for success, yet your business still doesn’t feel like it’s growing—or worse, it’s draining you. You’re putting in more hours than you ever did at a regular job, but the payoff just isn’t there.
I’ve been there. Early in my journey as a photographer, I was so excited about getting paid to do what I loved that I never took a step back to see if I was truly building a business or just funding a pricey hobby. Everything was done on the fly—no formal structure, no planning for taxes, and no consistent method for paying myself. Eventually, I realized I was employing myself in a stressful, unstable job rather than running a profitable, sustainable business.
Let’s dive into why that might be happening, the cracks that appear when your foundation is weak, and how to patch them up before the whole thing collapses.
Hobby vs. Business: Spotting the Difference
Hobby:
No clear strategy for growth, no designated salary, and sporadic reinvestment in gear or tools.
Pricing is often based on “what feels fair” or undercutting the competition to get any gig possible.
Admin tasks, finances, and marketing are afterthoughts. You simply chase the next shoot, gig, or sale.
Business:
Has defined goals, budgets, and processes for tasks like onboarding clients, updating financial records, and marketing.
Pricing is carefully calculated based on costs, value, and profitability margins.
Treats paying yourself as a requirement, not a luxury, while setting aside funds to reinvest and to handle taxes or emergencies.
Cracks in the Foundation: The Real Reasons You’re Stuck
Lack of Financial Literacy Many of us jump into doing what we love—photography, consulting, handmade crafts—without understanding business finances. We don’t account for taxes, overhead, or a personal salary. The result? Irregular income, surprise tax bills, and a constant scramble to make ends meet.
If you’re not sure how much you need to earn per month to cover taxes, business costs, and a steady paycheck for yourself, you’re missing a key piece of the puzzle.
Poor (or Nonexistent) Pricing Strategy Undercharging for your services because you’re worried about scaring off clients creates a dangerous cycle. When you’re not charging enough to cover overhead, pay yourself, and leave room for profit, you turn into an underpaid employee in your own venture.
Early on, I’d do a 2-hour photo session, edit all night, and price it so low I was effectively making minimum wage—or less. I loved photography but hated the finances, so I simply ignored them. It wasn’t sustainable.
No Paycheck for the Owner A startling number of solopreneurs don’t pay themselves consistently. Every dollar goes back into the business or simply covers immediate bills. But if you never see a personal profit, you’re not running a healthy enterprise—you’re fueling a never-ending cycle of “just making it by.”
“The worker deserves his wages” (Luke 10:7). If you’re pouring your heart and soul into the operation, shouldn’t you be compensated in a predictable way?
Unstructured Systems & Processes When your foundation is shaky, you’re typically winging everything: booking new clients on the fly, handling post-production or fulfillment whenever you can squeeze it in, and ignoring consistent record-keeping. This leads to chaos, missed opportunities, and major stress.
Ask Yourself: Do you have a CRM tool, a project-management system, or even a simple checklist that covers each step of your sales and delivery process?
No Clear Mission & Vision Do you know why you’re doing this beyond making some money? A strong mission keeps your decisions aligned, and a vision pulls you forward when the going gets tough. Without them, every new “shiny object” can derail you.
Putting the Foundation in Place: Practical Steps to Level Up
1. Get Financially Savvy
Budgeting: Break down monthly fixed costs (rent, software, subscriptions) and variable costs (travel, marketing, equipment).
Separate Accounts: Open a business checking account. Don’t mix personal and business finances—it’s a recipe for confusion and tax nightmares.
Salary & Taxes: Decide on a set amount to pay yourself each month. Then, set aside a portion for taxes (20–30%, depending on your situation) in a separate savings account.
Action Tip: If you’re clueless about taxes and bookkeeping, invest in an hour of a CPA’s time or sign up for a simple online accounting course. Sometimes, paying for expertise saves thousands in future headaches.
2. Develop a Pricing Formula
Know Your Costs: Factor in your time (including editing or planning), materials, overhead, and desired profit margin.
Value Proposition: If your product or service provides real value, you shouldn’t undercut yourself. Price confidently and be prepared to articulate why you’re worth it.
Test & Iterate: Adjust your pricing if you realize you’re still barely breaking even. Don’t be afraid to go higher—especially if quality, specialized skills, or the client experience set you apart.
3. Pay Yourself—Seriously
Non-Negotiable: If you’re working full-time on your business, treat it like a real job. That means earning a salary or at least a consistent draw.
Plan for Growth: Once you have enough to cover a stable paycheck, any extra profit should be split between reinvestment (gear, courses) and building an emergency fund for the business.
4. Structure & Systems
Client Workflow: Outline every step from first inquiry to final delivery. Use software like Trello, Asana, or HoneyBook to keep track.
Financial Tracking: Tools like Wave, QuickBooks, or FreshBooks help you monitor income and expenses accurately.
Scheduling & Boundaries: Avoid 24/7 mode by setting business hours, auto-responders, or calendaring your tasks so you’re not constantly “on call.”
5. Revisit Your “Why” and Vision
Long-Term Goals: Where do you see your business in 3 years? 5 years? Write it down.
Align with Values: If faith is part of your journey, pray or reflect on how your business can serve a greater purpose. This could shape your niche, your client interactions, and your giving strategies.
A Cautionary Tale—and an Encouragement
My own story as a photographer taught me that passion alone doesn’t pay the bills or build something truly sustainable. For too long, I thought any profit above my expenses meant I was “making it,” but in reality, I was just scraping by. It took multiple wake-up calls—like having no money for taxes or realizing I hadn’t paid myself in months—to finally put real foundational structures in place.
The good news? It’s never too late to rebuild. Even if you’ve been “playing business” for years, you can choose today to adopt a more strategic approach. You can shift your mindset from “I just want to do what I love” to “I want to do what I love in a responsible, sustainable way.”
“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” (Psalm 127:1) Whether you frame it through faith or not, the concept stands: without a firm, intentional plan, all your hustle can become fruitless. Build with wisdom—spiritually, practically, and financially.
Final Thoughts
If your foundation is weak—if you’re underpricing, mismanaging finances, and treating your business like a hobby—it’s time for a serious wake-up call. You deserve more than a self-employed job that leaves you exhausted, broke, and frustrated.
Take a step back, get honest about your cracks, and commit to building a business that stands on solid ground.
That might mean learning to run the numbers, charging what you’re truly worth, and paying yourself consistently—so you’re not just surviving, but thriving. Once you do, all those conferences, webinars, and mentorships will start to bear fruit. You’ll see real ROI when the strong foundation is finally in place.
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