We dive into the patterns that trip up small business owners—and how to avoid them. From launching multiple ventures at once to picking the wrong marketing partner, we unpack why these mistakes happen, how to spot them early, and what to do instead. We draw the line between personal brand and company brand, warn against chasing “viral” at any cost, and share the unglamorous truth: systems and runway matter as much as logos and likes.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

• Why “many passions” can confuse one audience—and how to pick one plate to spin first

• Personal brand vs. company brand (without muddying your message)

• Ask for help sooner: legal structure, taxes, ops—then branding/social

• Choosing the right-fit marketing partner

• Brand safety on social: views ≠ the right attention

• Websites aren’t invitations—you still need distribution

• Systems + CRM + automated invoicing = time back

• Runway basics: buffers and “worry dates” that prevent panic decisions

• Audits and the “Why Test”: if you can’t explain why you posted it, rethink it

ACTION STEPS

1. Audit your last 5 posts—write the why for each.
2. Interview 2–3 providers (web/branding/social) for fit, not prestige.
3. Choose one offering to push to momentum before adding another.
4. Calculate a simple runway and set a “worry date.”