If you’re feeling all the excitement (and maybe a little bit overwhelmed) about starting your own business, you’re in the right place. In this post, I’m going to walk you through the key insights from one of my favorite episodes of the Boss Mom podcast. We’re talking all about what it really takes to start a business, grow it, and make it thrive—without losing your sanity in the process!

So, grab your coffee (or wine, no judgment here), and let’s chat about what you need to do to kickstart your business journey. Because if you’ve ever found yourself asking, “What do I need to do to start a business?”, this is your go-to guide. And trust me, it’s not as complicated as it might seem!

Step 1: Embrace the Messy, Beautiful Journey

First things first: starting a business is a journey. I know it can feel like you have to get everything right from the start, but spoiler alert—you won’t! And that’s totally okay.

When I started Boss Mom, I made a ton of mistakes along the way. I tried ideas that didn’t work, and I stumbled through figuring out what my business would actually look like. But here’s the thing: those mistakes are part of the process. The key is to learn from them, adjust, and keep moving forward.

So, if you’re sitting there thinking, “I don’t know what I’m doing!”—you’re in good company. Every successful entrepreneur has been there. Just keep learning, keep experimenting, and know that it’s all part of building something amazing.

 

Step 2: Find Your Niche and Build a Movement

One of the big shifts for me was realizing I didn’t just want to build a business—I wanted to create a movement. Boss Mom isn’t just about me; it’s about helping moms who want to balance entrepreneurship with motherhood. And once I realized that, everything started to fall into place.

If you’re asking yourself, “Should I use my own name for my business or create a brand name?”, think about whether you want to start a movement or focus solely on your services. Neither answer is wrong! But for me, Boss Mom became a community—a place where moms could come together, get support, and grow their businesses without guilt.

So, if you feel pulled to create something bigger than yourself, lean into that! Your business can become a space for connection and support, and trust me, that’s a powerful thing.

 

Step 3: Get Out There and Be Visible

One of the most important things I did when starting Boss Mom was getting visible. And by that, I mean I put myself out there—on podcasts, in articles, in Facebook groups, you name it. If there was an opportunity to share what I was building, I took it.

Here’s the truth: You could have the most amazing product or service in the world, but if no one knows about it, it’s going to be really hard to grow your business. So, step one: get visible. Reach out to people, ask to be featured, tell your story, and talk about your business like you’re really excited about it (even if you’re still figuring out your elevator pitch—don’t worry, we all fumble at first!).

And if you’re nervous about putting yourself out there, just remember—you’ll get better the more you do it. Trust me, I was awkward and rambled at first, but the more I talked about Boss Mom, the more confident I became.

 

Step 4: Build Your Support Team (Even If It’s Just 1 Person)

Okay, Boss Moms, let’s talk about help. I know we like to think we can do it all on our own, but the truth is, building a business is so much easier when you have support.

When I started out, I hired Danielle Roberts to help me with one thing: finding podcasts I could be on. That’s it. I wasn’t hiring a full team or spending a fortune—I just had her helping me with visibility for a few hours a week. And that little bit of help went a long way. Now, Danielle runs a huge part of my business!

So, if you’re thinking, “I can’t afford to hire someone,” remember that even a few hours of support can make a big difference. Start small, find someone who gets your vision, and let them help you grow.

 

Step 5: Focus on One Thing at a Time

Here’s a little secret: you don’t need to do all the things at once to grow your business. In fact, focusing on one thing at a time will get you much further, much faster.

When I first launched my Trello training as a free opt-in, I didn’t immediately create ten more freebies. I focused on that one opt-in, perfected it, and used it to grow my email list. It wasn’t until I had that down that I started thinking about other offers.

So, when you’re starting out, pick one thing—one product, one service, one freebie—and get really good at it before moving on to the next. You don’t need to have 10 things going at once to be successful. In fact, the more focused you are, the better.

 

Step 6: Invest in a Good Email System

If you don’t have an email list yet, let me tell you: now’s the time to start. Email is gold for building relationships and nurturing your audience. This is one of the very first and foundational steps to start a business.

I invested in Ontraport early on because I wanted a system that could grow with me. But there are plenty of great options out there, like ConvertKit, if you’re just starting. The point is, having a solid email system will help you stay connected with your audience, and it’s something that pays off big time as your business grows.

And remember: your email list is yours. Unlike social media, you own it, which means you can reach your audience whenever you need to. So start building that list from day one!

 

Step 7: Find Your People

One of the best things I ever did for my business was join a mastermind group. Surrounding myself with other entrepreneurs who were going through the same struggles and triumphs made all the difference. We held each other accountable, brainstormed ideas, and supported each other through every stage of our businesses.

If you’re just starting out, find your people! Whether it’s a mastermind, a Facebook group, or a small network of fellow entrepreneurs, having support is crucial. You don’t have to do this alone, and trust me, it’s a lot more fun when you have others cheering you on.

 

Step 8: Be Ready for the Ups and Downs

Here’s the thing: when you start a business it is full of highs and lows. There will be days when you feel like you’re on top of the world, and there will be days when everything feels like it’s falling apart. But that’s normal!

Every successful entrepreneur has faced failures along the way. The key is to keep going. Don’t let the setbacks stop you. Learn from them, pick yourself up, and move forward. That’s how businesses are built—one step, one lesson, one victory at a time.

 

You Can Totally Start a Business as a Mom

Starting a business takes courage, focus, and, yes, a little bit of grit. But if you’re passionate about what you’re doing and willing to put in the work (and get support along the way!), you can absolutely make it happen.

If you’re asking, “What do I need to do to start a business?” remember: it’s not about having everything figured out from the beginning. It’s about showing up, learning as you go, and staying focused on what truly matters.

Want more guidance and a network of like-minded moms who are doing the same? Join us in BossMom+—our exclusive membership designed to give you the support, strategies, and connections you need to grow. Inside BossMom+, you’ll get access to expert mentorship, deep-dive workshops, and networking with moms who understand the journey. Whether you’re just starting or looking to scale, we’ve got you covered every step of the way.