Are You Growing Your Business or Just Chasing Sales?

I’ll be honest with you—writing about entrepreneurship every day has forced me to take a hard look at my own business. And what I’ve realised isn’t pretty.

I’ve spent so much time chasing sales, thinking that was the key to success. But in doing that, I neglected other crucial areas—marketing, networking, long-term growth, and strategic planning. I convinced myself that as long as I was bringing in revenue, I was on the right track.

But was I really growing? Or was I just running in circles?

Maybe you’ve felt the same way. Maybe you’re so focused on the daily grind—getting customers, making sales, keeping the business afloat—that you haven’t had the time to step back and ask:

“Am I actually building something sustainable?”

And here’s another thing I had to admit: I’ve spent years learning—reading books, taking courses, listening to experts. But I never built a real system to apply what I was learning. I’d get excited about new ideas, but without a plan to implement them, they faded into the background.

Can you relate?

I know we all have an excuse.

You’re busy.

I’m busy.

But if you don’t change, change won’t happen.

One of my biggest blind spots was networking.

For the longest time, I thought networking was about collecting followers, getting more visibility, and chasing those vanity metrics that make it look like you’re making progress. And because of that, I neglected the real connections that actually drive business growth.

I had a few business friends I spoke to here and there. I followed some entrepreneurs from afar, admired their work, and studied their strategies. But I wasn’t actively building relationships that could challenge me, sharpen my thinking, and open new doors.

The truth?

Entrepreneurship is lonely—but it doesn’t have to be.

And if you feel like you’re doing this alone, it’s probably because you haven’t built the right circle around you.

Networking doesn’t have to mean attending big events or making awkward small talk with strangers. Some of the most valuable relationships are formed in smaller, intentional circles—like your own personal board of advisors.

If you don’t have a group of people guiding you, you’re making your business journey harder than it needs to be.

I used to think I had to figure everything out on my own. But then I started paying attention to successful entrepreneurs, and I noticed something—they all had people they turned to for advice.

That’s when it hit me: If I wanted to grow, I needed to surround myself with the right people.

A personal board of advisors is a small group of trusted professionals—mentors, accountants, lawyers, experienced business owners—who help you make better decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and accelerate your growth.

So, how do you build one?

Start by asking yourself:

Where do I struggle most in my business?
What kind of guidance would help me grow?
Who do I already know that I can learn from?

For me, one of my biggest gaps was financial planning. I knew how to make money, but managing it properly? That was another story. So, I made it a priority to learn from people who understood business finances better than I did.

What’s your blind spot? Once you identify it, you’ll know what kind of advisors you need.

At first, I relied on friends and family for business advice. But let’s be real—if they haven’t built a successful business themselves, how much can they really guide you?

The best advisors are people who:

Have real experience in areas you struggle with
Are further ahead in their business journey
Have insights that challenge your thinking
Understand your industry but aren’t afraid to give honest feedback

Start looking at your network differently. Who do you admire? Who do you respect? Who has already solved the problems you’re facing?

I used to hesitate before reaching out to people because I didn’t want to feel like I was bothering them. But I learned that most people are willing to help—if you approach them the right way.

Here’s a simple message you can use:

Subject: Seeking Your Guidance as a Business Advisor

Hi [Name],

I’ve been following your work in [their field/expertise] and really admire [specific achievement or insight]. As I grow my business, I’m putting together a small group of trusted advisors to help me navigate key challenges.

I’d love to connect and learn from your experience in [specific area]. If you’re open to it, would you be available for a quick chat? I’d love to discuss how I can structure this in a way that’s valuable for both of us.

Thanks for your time, and I look forward to your thoughts.

Best,
[Your Name]

The worst that can happen? They say no.

The best? You gain an advisor who saves you years of trial and error.

Once you have a few people on board, don’t just leave it to chance.

Set a Regular Check-in Schedule – Whether it’s monthly, quarterly, or just a few times a year, make sure you keep in touch.
Be Prepared – Don’t show up empty-handed. Have specific questions or challenges ready.
Respect Their Time – Listen, take notes, implement their advice, and follow up with results.

Over time, these relationships will become one of your biggest business assets.

If I could go back, I’d have built my advisory circle much sooner. I would have saved myself from so many unnecessary mistakes, wasted efforts, and wrong turns.

So, don’t wait until you’re overwhelmed. Don’t wait until you’ve made costly mistakes. Start building your network now.

And remember—you don’t need hundreds of connections. You just need the right ones.

Who’s in your circle? And if you don’t have one yet, who are you going to reach out to first?

You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

If I could go back, I’d have built my advisory circle much sooner. I would have saved myself from so many unnecessary mistakes, wasted efforts, and wrong turns.

So, don’t wait until you’re overwhelmed. Don’t wait until you’ve made costly mistakes. Start building your network now.

And remember—you don’t need hundreds of connections. You just need the right ones.

Who’s in your circle? And if you don’t have one yet, who are you going to reach out to first?

If this resonated with you, let’s continue the conversation. Drop a comment and share—who is one person you’d want on your personal board of advisors?