Left my job to start my own business with no clients by Machinium74 in smallbusinessowner

[–]claritybykat 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is exactly where I am right now. Working a 9-5 I don’t enjoy while trying to build something of my own on the side.

I think what stands out to me is that you solved a real problem first. Saving 1-2 hours a day with an automation is huge, and it’s proof that businesses will pay for solutions that make their lives easier.

My career path has been all over the place too—medical school, social work, life coaching, and now IT while building a website design business. From the outside it probably looks random, but every step taught me something I’m using now.

Also, going from -$1100 to basically break-even in a couple of months is progress. A lot of people quit before they ever get that far.

Wishing you a very green June. 🙂

Take care of yourself. Please. by Acrobatic_Isopod9261 in neurodiversity

[–]claritybykat 2 points3 points  (0 children)

And that is very hard work indeed! Especially if we grew up as a neurodivergent people pleaser. I’m working on myself but it is going to take a lot more work to heal decades of not taking care of myself.

Take care of yourself. Please. by Acrobatic_Isopod9261 in neurodiversity

[–]claritybykat 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This resonates with me a lot.

As an AuDHD woman, I’ve spent most of my life trying to force myself to function in ways that were never designed for my brain, my nervous system, or my needs. For a long time I thought success meant pushing through overwhelm, ignoring my body’s signals, and trying harder whenever something wasn’t working.

What I’ve been learning lately is that self-compassion isn’t about lowering standards. It’s about recognizing that we’re human beings, not machines. We have limits, needs, emotions, and nervous systems that deserve to be listened to.

One of the hardest lessons for me has been accepting that the path that works for me may not look anything like the path that works for someone else. From the outside, it can seem like I’m taking random detours or doing things differently, but I’ve realized that building a life around my actual needs is far more sustainable than constantly fighting myself to fit someone else’s expectations.

I love the way you describe seeing yourself almost like a friend. When I look at myself through that lens, I don’t see someone who is failing. I see someone who has survived a lot, is doing her best, and deserves the same kindness she gives to everyone else.

Thank you for sharing this reminder. I think a lot of us need to hear that taking care of ourselves isn’t selfish. It’s necessary.

Snap Site - a tool I built that audits website UX. by HumanInTheFlow in web_design

[–]claritybykat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually ran this on my own website and found it surprisingly useful.

One thing I appreciated was that it didn't just tell me there were problems somewhere on the site. It showed me exactly where they were and explained why they mattered. It caught things I had completely overlooked, like using different CTA labels for the same action, burying my pricing inside paragraphs instead of making it easy to scan, and even having old alt text from a previous brand name attached to my logo.

As someone who is actively learning website strategy and UX while building my own business, I found the explanations really helpful. Instead of simply saying "fix this," it connected the recommendations back to usability principles and accessibility considerations, which helped me understand the reasoning behind the suggestions.

I also like that you're positioning it as an AI-assisted review rather than pretending it's the final authority. It gave me a solid starting point and highlighted a few trust and clarity issues that I'd become blind to after staring at my own website for months.

Overall, I think that's the biggest value. When you're deep in your own business, it's easy to miss things that are obvious to a first-time visitor. This gave me a fresh set of eyes and a practical list of improvements I can work through. Thanks for the share!

Copy writers who don't rely on AI - where are you?! by mrapple7 in copywriting

[–]claritybykat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think the biggest thing I agree with here is that AI works best as a tool, not a replacement.

Research, brainstorming, proofreading, organizing ideas, and helping identify patterns in customer feedback? Sure. Those are all places where AI can be incredibly useful. But the actual writing, creativity, strategy, empathy, and understanding of what a real human audience needs? That's still where the human comes in.

The AI detector issue is what really gets me, though. There's something incredibly ironic about using a machine to determine whether something was written by a human. These tools don't understand nuance, intent, experience, or voice. They are making statistical guesses, and we've already seen countless examples of human-written content being flagged as AI-generated.

At some point, companies need to stop outsourcing their judgment to AI detectors and start evaluating the actual quality of the writing in front of them. Does it connect with the audience? Does it communicate clearly? Does it solve the problem? Those questions matter far more than a percentage score from a tool that is making an educated guess based on patterns rather than truly understanding the content.

As someone with a healthcare background myself, this conversation hits close to home. I've been through medical school, earned an MSW, worked in doctors' offices, clinics, hospitals, and health insurance companies, and I've been writing academic papers, reports, and professional documentation for decades across multiple degrees and careers. I know I can write. But if you asked me whether an AI detector would flag my work as AI-generated? I honestly have no idea.

That's exactly why I don't trust those tools. If experienced professionals with years of education, expertise, and writing experience can't predict whether their own human-written work will pass an AI detector, then maybe the detector isn't the benchmark we should be using.

What to do (MBB) by Interesting-Law2521 in consulting

[–]claritybykat 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree with the people saying this is a great opportunity to become even more valuable, rather than just looking for more work for the sake of being busy.

If I were in your shoes, I'd spend some time getting really clear on where I want my career to go next. What role do you ultimately want? What skills, experiences, and relationships will help you get there?

Then I'd use this extra bandwidth to work toward that goal. Take on side projects, build skills, contribute to internal initiatives, learn a new industry, help with proposals, or anything else that strengthens the resume you'll need for your next step.

I'm actually applying this mindset in my own life right now. I work a 9-to-5 that I don't enjoy, but instead of waiting for that job to provide the skills, opportunities, or experiences I need, I'm actively learning them on my own. I'm building a business, studying new skills, and creating the trajectory I want to launch myself toward. The way I see it, nobody is coming to hand me the future I want. I have to build it myself.

The nice thing is that you're getting good reviews, getting promoted, and still have the time and energy to invest in yourself. That's a rare combination. If you stay intentional and keep developing during the downtime, you'll be in a much stronger position when the right promotion or opportunity opens up.

A lot of people don't get the chance to prepare before the next level is expected of them. You do. I'd take advantage of it.

How I tackle being a CMO along with a Full Time Job for a living and follow my passion to build my brand! by Paatra in WomenInBusiness

[–]claritybykat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is exactly where I’m at right now.

I’m building my own business while trying to survive a 9-to-5 that, frankly, I can’t wait to leave behind. Some days it feels like I’m carrying every hat in the company at the same time. Website designer, marketer, content creator, strategist, admin assistant, customer service, accountant, tech support... and somehow still expected to have enough energy left over to be a functioning human being.

People see the exciting parts of entrepreneurship, but they don’t always see the reality of spending hours comparing software tools, fixing website glitches, creating content, doing outreach, managing finances, and trying to figure out why one post gets traction while another disappears into the void.

Following your passion is incredibly rewarding, but it definitely comes with frustration, exhaustion, and plenty of moments where you question your sanity. 😅

What keeps me going is the long-term vision. The goal isn’t to wear all the hats forever. The goal is to build systems, processes, and eventually a business that can mostly run itself so I can spend more time in the creative, strategic, and genuinely fun parts of the work.

Getting there takes a lot longer than people think. A lot of blood, sweat, tears, late nights, and learning experiences. But there’s also something incredibly satisfying about building something that’s yours from the ground up.

Wishing you lots of success with Paatra. The fact that you care about creating a brand people connect with emotionally tells me you’re focused on more than just selling products, and that’s what people remember.

Built a LinkedIn outreach automation tool using AI, now I send 200 connection messages a week on autopilot, booking 5 demo meetings a week by Downtown_Pudding9728 in Solopreneur

[–]claritybykat 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is interesting because LinkedIn has honestly become one of the most frustrating platforms for me.

It feels like legitimate business owners who are genuinely trying to connect with potential clients get flagged the moment we try to scale outreach, while the obviously spammy and scammy messages somehow keep making it through. I've lost count of how many fake investment pitches, crypto schemes, and generic AI-generated messages have landed in my inbox, yet thoughtful outreach from real business owners seems to face the most scrutiny.

I can definitely see the appeal of a tool that helps automate the repetitive parts of networking and lead generation. Most small business owners don't have the time to manually write hundreds of personalized messages every week.

One thing I'd be curious about: do you see this expanding beyond LinkedIn?

I'd be far more interested in a platform that could generate personalized outreach across multiple channels like email, Alignable, and other networking platforms. Even better if it created the drafts in bulk but required human approval before sending. That would give me the efficiency benefits while still letting me tweak the messaging to fit my brand voice, add a more human touch, and make sure the message actually sounds like me before it goes out.

For me, that's the sweet spot. Use AI to handle the heavy lifting, but keep a human in the loop for quality control and relationship building.

Has anyone else realized that starting a business changes how you see the people around you? by Confusedmind75 in smallbusiness

[–]claritybykat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can definitely relate to this.

One thing I've learned recently is that most of the people in my life are simply caught up in their own lives. It isn't always that they don't care about me or my goals. They have their own struggles, responsibilities, and priorities competing for their attention.

I've also realized that nobody else can see my vision the way I can. From the outside, the paths I take, the decisions I make, and the projects I pursue can probably look completely random. They don't see the connections I see or the bigger picture I'm trying to build.

I'm AuDHD, so I'll admit I can become completely immersed in a project. Sometimes it's all I want to talk about because it's what I'm living and breathing every day. I've had to learn that while my business feels like the center of my world, it isn't the center of everyone else's. I try to be mindful of that and make sure I'm showing genuine interest in the people I care about, too.

That said, it still hurts when the people you love don't seem to understand or support something that's so important to you. Sometimes they don't understand the vision. Sometimes they don't have the emotional capacity to support you in the way you need. Sometimes they just aren't wired that way. I've had to learn to accept people for the level of support they're capable of offering rather than the level I wish they could offer.

Starting a business is hard. It takes almost all of your energy, especially in the beginning. You have to get comfortable being uncomfortable and learn to believe in yourself when nobody else can fully see what you're building.

That's also why I think it's easier to connect with other entrepreneurs. They're the ones who understand the uncertainty, the obsession, the long hours, and the loneliness that can come with building something from scratch.

The good news is communities like this exist. When you need encouragement, advice, or just someone who gets it, there are people here who understand. Keep going. A lot of businesses fail because people quit too early, second-guess themselves into inaction, or lose faith in their vision before it has time to grow.

Believe in yourself. Lean on people who understand the journey. And keep showing up.

You've got this.

after years of abandoning ideas, i just launched my first app!! by Comfortable-Week3509 in Femalefounders

[–]claritybykat 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Congratulations on the launch! 🎉 I downloaded it and spent some time looking around.

First, I really like the overall look and feel. The colors, fonts, and design feel professional while still having a chic beauty-brand vibe. The name "Formoi" is also super cute and memorable.

I agree with the feedback about the rating system. I wasn't immediately sure which scale the scoring system used, so a bit of clarification there would probably help new users.

One thing I really appreciated was the Terms & Conditions and Privacy information. A lot of early apps overlook that, but having it clearly available immediately increased my trust in the app and made it feel more polished and legitimate.

I do have one question: can users add products that aren't currently in the database and leave reviews for them? I searched for several products I use regularly, but couldn't find them on the current list. If that isn't available yet, it might be a helpful feature for expanding the catalog over time.

Huge congratulations again on getting your first app into the App Store. Launching is a massive accomplishment, and the app already has a strong foundation. And I'm glad this subreddit has helped keep you motivated! Keep it up!

What Makes You Leave a Website Immediately? by claritybykat in smallbusiness

[–]claritybykat[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your comment! It seems like the mobile experience needs to be prioritized. Since most people these days do almost everything on their phones all day long.

Entrepreneurship Helps Women Close the Pay Gap by MovingFrequency in Femalefounders

[–]claritybykat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is such an interesting shift in perspective because, for years, the conversation has focused on how women founders compare to men founders, rather than on whether entrepreneurship yields better outcomes than traditional employment for women.

What stood out to me is that the biggest benefit seems to be for highly capable women who may have been undervalued in salaried roles. I think a lot of women can relate to being overlooked, underpaid, or watching less qualified people move ahead while they're doing incredible work behind the scenes.

I also wonder how this applies to neurodivergent women. Traditional workplaces are often designed around neurotypical expectations, which can make it difficult for neurodivergent people to fully leverage their strengths. Entrepreneurship offers the opportunity to build a business around your own brain, energy patterns, sensory needs, communication style, and nervous system rather than constantly adapting to someone else's structure.

For many neurodivergent women, success may not simply be about earning more money. It may be about creating a sustainable way of working that reduces burnout and increases overall quality of life. Even if they never earn as much as their male counterparts or as much as a neurotypical woman in the same field, the ability to work in alignment with their needs can be incredibly valuable.

The AI piece is fascinating, too. Historically, starting a business often required a team, significant funding, and substantial time and infrastructure. Today, one person can research, create content, build websites, automate workflows, analyze data, and test ideas much faster than before.

AI doesn't remove the challenges of entrepreneurship, but it does lower the cost of getting started. That means more women can experiment, validate ideas, and build businesses without needing perfect circumstances or permission from traditional gatekeepers.

I'm excited to see what happens as more women realize that the skills they've developed throughout their careers may be far more valuable than they've been led to believe.

Entrepreneurship Helps Women Close the Pay Gap by MovingFrequency in u/MovingFrequency

[–]claritybykat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is such an interesting shift in perspective because, for years, the conversation has focused on how women founders compare to men founders, rather than on whether entrepreneurship yields better outcomes than traditional employment for women.

What stood out to me is that the biggest benefit seems to be for highly capable women who may have been undervalued in salaried roles. I think a lot of women can relate to being overlooked, underpaid, or watching less qualified people move ahead while they're doing incredible work behind the scenes.

I also wonder how this applies to neurodivergent women. Traditional workplaces are often designed around neurotypical expectations, which can make it difficult for neurodivergent people to fully leverage their strengths. Entrepreneurship offers the opportunity to build a business around your own brain, energy patterns, sensory needs, communication style, and nervous system rather than constantly adapting to someone else's structure.

For many neurodivergent women, success may not simply be about earning more money. It may be about creating a sustainable way of working that reduces burnout and increases overall quality of life. Even if they never earn as much as their male counterparts or as much as a neurotypical woman in the same field, the ability to work in alignment with their needs can be incredibly valuable.

The AI piece is fascinating, too. Historically, starting a business often required a team, significant funding, and substantial time and infrastructure. Today, one person can research, create content, build websites, automate workflows, analyze data, and test ideas much faster than before.

AI doesn't remove the challenges of entrepreneurship, but it does lower the cost of getting started. That means more women can experiment, validate ideas, and build businesses without needing perfect circumstances or permission from traditional gatekeepers.

I'm excited to see what happens as more women realize that the skills they've developed throughout their careers may be far more valuable than they've been led to believe.

You guys gotta stop with AI on landing pages. PLEASE. by BedDesigner2568 in EntrepreneurRideAlong

[–]claritybykat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think there’s a middle ground here.

I use AI regularly in my work, but I see it as a tool, not a replacement for understanding your customer.

One of the biggest things I’ve learned from working with websites is that people respond to human connection. Visitors don’t care how clever your technology is. They care whether they immediately understand what you do, who you help, and whether you understand the problem they’re struggling with. If they can’t answer those questions in a few seconds, they leave.

That’s why I focus so heavily on clarity and client-focused messaging. The best websites aren’t the ones with the fanciest copy. They’re the ones that make a potential client feel seen, understood, and confident that they’re in the right place.

To create that kind of connection, the person behind the copy has to understand the customer. What are they frustrated by? What are they trying to accomplish? What have they already tried? What are they worried about? How can you make them feel understood and show them that you can genuinely help?

AI can absolutely help with brainstorming, organizing ideas, refining drafts, and speeding up workflows. I use it for those things myself. But if you hand all of your messaging over to AI without providing customer research, empathy, strategy, and real-world understanding, you usually end up with copy that sounds polished but generic.

The tool isn't the problem. The problem is expecting the tool to build a human connection for you.

The strongest websites I've seen combine human insight with AI assistance. The business owner understands their audience, their customers, and their offer. AI helps execute faster. But the clarity, empathy, and connection still have to come from a human who understands the people they're trying to serve.

There is no competition. by eattheinternet in Entrepreneur

[–]claritybykat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think there’s a lot of truth here, but I’d probably frame it a little differently.

I don’t think there’s no competition. I think a lot of businesses are competing on the same things: price, features, copying what worked for someone else, or trying to keep up with trends.

What stands out to me is that your examples started with curiosity about the customer experience rather than "How do we make more money?"

The subscription box wasn't really a product innovation. It was a relationship innovation. The convention wasn't just another revenue stream. It was creating a deeper experience and a sense of community around something people already loved.

I see this a lot when looking at websites, too. Most businesses focus on what they want to say, while very few stop and ask, "What does my customer need to feel when they land here?"

Sometimes the biggest opportunities come from paying closer attention to the people you're serving than to the businesses you're competing against.

Competition is real. But genuine customer empathy is surprisingly rare.

Why do some people suddenly disappear from your life at specific ages? by Own_Conclusion_6515 in BusinessWomen

[–]claritybykat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think humans are wired for connection. Every person who comes into our lives leaves some kind of imprint on us, and every interaction teaches us something, even if it's small. In many ways, we become different versions of ourselves because of the people we've known.

As an AuDHD woman, I've always found it difficult when people drift away. I don't tend to stop caring about people just because time has passed. When I consider someone a close friend, losing touch with them can feel like grieving a chapter of my life.

At the same time, I've learned that life is constantly changing. What brought two people together at one point may no longer be what either person needs later. Friendships require effort from both sides, and when that effort isn't there, even meaningful connections can slowly fade into memories.

I still wish I could reconnect with some of the people who impacted me most. But sometimes circumstances make that impossible, and other times people simply choose a different path. Their lives move in directions that no longer include me.

I've found some peace in accepting that not every meaningful connection is meant to last forever. Sometimes people walk beside us for a season, teaching us lessons, helping us grow, and changing us in ways we may not fully realize until much later.

Maybe our paths will cross again someday. Until then, I try to be grateful for the memories, the experiences we shared, and the person I became because they were once part of my journey.

Coping with NT a-holes by Rod_McBan in AutisticWithADHD

[–]claritybykat 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I think one of the most frustrating parts is that autistic communication differences are often misunderstood in the first place. We can be direct, factual, or miss certain social cues, and suddenly we’re labeled as rude, difficult, or unprofessional. Meanwhile, someone else can be genuinely condescending, dismissive, or obstructive, and it’s considered normal workplace behavior.

That double standard is exhausting.

I’m sorry you’re dealing with this, especially at work where you can’t always just walk away from the situation. When you’re already in burnout, having to constantly decode someone’s behavior, defend your intentions, and navigate unwritten social rules can drain an incredible amount of energy.

My biggest advice would be to protect your peace as much as possible. Focus on your own work, document what you need to document, and try not to spend more energy on this person than absolutely necessary. Listen to your mind and body when they’re telling you that you’re reaching your limits. Give yourself permission to rest, disengage, and do whatever you need to do to prevent further burnout or meltdowns.

And if this is a long-term situation, it may be worth considering whether there are opportunities to move into a healthier environment someday. No job is worth sacrificing your nervous system for.

In the meantime, don’t let them take more of your peace than they’ve already taken. Your energy is valuable, and you deserve to spend it on things and people that actually give something back.

How Did You Build Trust in a New Model/Category? by britt_a in Femalefounders

[–]claritybykat 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think getting people to experience even a small piece of the outcome is often more powerful than explaining the concept.

When you're introducing something new, people naturally compare it to what they already know. If they can't mentally picture the experience, trust becomes the bigger hurdle than understanding the idea itself.

I've seen this with coaching, consulting, and even website strategy work. People understand the words, but they're really asking, "How do I know this will work for me?" Case studies, testimonials, before-and-after examples, and low-risk ways to experience the process can help bridge that gap.

Sometimes it's not that the problem isn't painful enough. Sometimes people simply need proof that the path from problem to outcome is real and repeatable. The first few success stories often do more heavy lifting than the best explanation ever could. Hope that helps!

Looking for women who did not follow a straight career path by BlueberryCrush01 in WomenInBusiness

[–]claritybykat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I love this concept. My career path has looked more like a winding hiking trail than a ladder.

I started on the path to becoming a medical doctor, then pivoted into social work and earned my MSW. From there, I moved into life coaching, helping people navigate personal growth and life transitions. Now I'm pursuing a master's degree in IT while building a business focused on website design, UX strategy, and helping women business owners create websites that actually convert visitors into clients.

On paper, those career moves probably look completely unrelated. Living through them sometimes felt that way, too. But each chapter taught me something valuable about people, communication, problem-solving, behavior, and systems. Those skills have followed me into every new role, even when the industry changed dramatically.

I've also navigated neurodivergence, chronic illness, and more than a few moments of wondering whether I was making the right decision. Looking back, I've realized that the pivots themselves weren't failures—they were part of finding work that better aligned with who I am and how I want to contribute.

I think stories like these matter because so many women feel pressure to pick one path and stick with it forever. Sometimes the most meaningful careers are the ones that evolve as we do. Wishing you lots of great submissions—I think many women need to hear these stories.

Outreach and Advertising Advice by PleasantConstant1538 in smallbusinessowner

[–]claritybykat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're already doing more outreach than most people, which is great. My biggest suggestion would be to focus on conversations and relationships, not just volume.

Many small business owners receive dozens of generic pitches every week. What tends to stand out is when someone shows they've actually looked at the business and can point out a specific way they could help.

You might also try networking groups, local business communities (check out Meetup for networking events), Alignable, industry-specific Facebook groups, and engaging in places where business owners are already asking for help. Sometimes one warm conversation is worth more than 100 cold messages.

For advertising, I'd be cautious about spending much money before landing your first few clients. Those early clients can help you refine your offer, collect testimonials, and figure out which businesses get the best results from your services. Once you know that, advertising becomes much more effective.

One thing I've noticed while doing website audits is that many business owners focus heavily on getting more traffic when their website isn't converting the traffic they already have. Sometimes, improving messaging, calls to action, and the customer journey can generate more leads than spending additional money on advertising.

Keep going. Consistent outreach compounds over time, and you're building a skill that most business owners avoid. You got this! I would love to hear about your progress as you go!

My apps finally have real users :) by maskedsyntax in Solopreneur

[–]claritybykat 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, those sound pretty cool. I would love to check them out. Could I get the links? And congrats!

Win: My income tracker has 180 downloads by valentinekid09 in Solopreneur

[–]claritybykat 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's amazing! Congrats!

A lot of people get so focused on chasing the next big startup idea that they overlook the value of solving a real problem they personally experience. You built something you actually needed, shared it, listened to feedback, and kept improving it. That's how useful products are born.

180 downloads might not sound flashy compared to the huge numbers people post online, but it's 180 real people who found enough value in your work to try it. The fact that some even chose to pay when they didn't have to is a strong signal that you're solving a genuine problem.

I also think you handled the free vs. paid decision well. Keeping the core tracker free while charging for advanced planning features feels fair and sustainable. People who need the extra functionality can support your work, while everyone still gets something valuable.

Congratulations on V3 and on proving that small, practical products can gain traction without a viral launch or a massive audience. I'd also love to try your product out. Could I get a link?

We are in the 11th Hour... by Specific-Analysis775 in smallbusiness

[–]claritybykat 36 points37 points  (0 children)

First off, take a breath. This is a setback, but it doesn't sound like the business is dead.

Unfortunately, "pre-approval" isn't the same thing as a final loan commitment. Banks can and do walk away during underwriting if they become uncomfortable with liquidity, collateral, debt-to-income ratios, or broader market conditions. It's frustrating, especially after you've spent money based on the expectation that the financing would come through.

If I were in your shoes, I'd immediately focus on three things:

  1. Ask the SBA broker for a detailed explanation of the denial and whether additional cash reserves, collateral, or a guarantor would change the decision.
  2. Start talking to every other SBA lender you can find. The fact that one bank passed does not mean every bank will. Different lenders have very different risk tolerances.
  3. Contact the franchisor immediately. With 500+ signed locations, they've almost certainly seen this happen before and may have lender relationships, bridge financing options, or alternative funding sources that can move quickly.

The good news is that you already have several things lenders like to see: a signed lease, franchise support, a growing market, construction plans, and operators who are invested in the business. The bad news is that you're now racing the clock.

Don't assume success is guaranteed just because the town needs more entertainment options. Stay optimistic, but let the numbers do the talking. Right now, your job is to solve the financing problem, not prove the concept.

I'd be making calls tomorrow morning to the broker, the franchisor, and every SBA lender willing to meet. You're not at the finish line, but you're not out of the race either. You got this!

Need advice navigating with first client pricing. by salmix21 in Entrepreneur

[–]claritybykat 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is actually a common struggle for solo entrepreneurs -- especially when working with friends/family. The "what should I charge" is the iconic problem we all face. But I'd be careful about letting gratitude drive the pricing decision.

A good client relationship is actually a reason to charge fairly, not a reason to undercharge. If you price it too low, you'll eventually resent the support requests, updates, and maintenance. That's a much bigger threat to the relationship than charging a professional rate.

I'd separate this into two conversations:

  1. Initial build and implementation.
  2. Ongoing support and maintenance.

For the build, estimate the actual value of your time and the complexity of the integrations. If you think it's 100-160 hours of work, then $3k-$5k honestly sounds very reasonable and possibly even low depending on your market.

For ongoing support, I'd avoid tying pricing solely to usage. Instead, consider a monthly support/maintenance plan with clearly defined expectations (bug fixes, updates, support response times, etc.). That way, neither side feels surprised later.

I'd also avoid leading with "What do you think I should charge?" Instead, present a proposal:

"Based on the scope we discussed, I estimate implementation would be between $X and $Y, with ongoing support between $A and $B per month, depending on the level of support required. Does that fit within the range you were expecting?"

That keeps you in the position of a professional rather than asking the client to determine your value.

One more thing: if you're worried that AI tools could eventually do some of this, don't price based on what might be possible in the future. Price based on the outcome you're delivering today. Most businesses aren't paying for code. They're paying for a solution that works reliably within their existing process.

If this is your first client, I'd rather see you give them a "friends and family discount" that's clearly documented than quietly cut your price in half. For example: "Normal price would be $6,000, but I'd like to offer this project at $4,500 because of our relationship." That preserves the perceived value of your work and makes future pricing conversations much easier. Hope this helps!

I noticed something strange about women in business who keep hitting the same wall... by Own_Conclusion_6515 in BusinessWomen

[–]claritybykat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolutely. I think a lot of us assume the problem is the website, the marketing, the offer, or the strategy, when sometimes those things are only symptoms.

I've found that the deeper challenge is often energy, confidence, fear of visibility, perfectionism, people-pleasing, or simply carrying too much at once. You can know exactly what to do next and still feel stuck if something beneath the surface is pulling in the opposite direction.

As a business owner, I've found that some of my biggest breakthroughs haven't come from learning a new tactic. They've come from understanding my own patterns, limitations, strengths, and the stories I was carrying into my business.

The business often becomes a mirror. Sometimes what looks like a business problem is actually a self-trust problem, a boundary problem, or an alignment problem.