Imagine...You Built a Business You'd Want to Work For

Imagine...You Built a Business You'd Want to Work For

A Clients Story

If I had to start my business from scratch, here’s exactly what I’d do differently.

About 18 months ago, I started working with a business coach.

He asked me a question that stung

“Would I work for my own company?”

That question stung because, for a long time the honest answer was no.

I built my business from scratch. Revenue was good, though it had plateaued. The team was solid. But I didn’t like walking through the door.

The culture felt flat. Values were vague. Purpose was buried under process. I felt the team was showing up for pay cheques, not impact.

I wasn’t proud of what I’d built. It wasn’t toxic. It just didn’t feel like mine anymore.

I kept thinking, “If I lost everything and had to start over, what would I do differently?”

That’s where my business coach and the Small Business Growth System (powered by Metronomics) came in. I wouldn’t chase revenue. I wouldn’t grind harder hoping it would fix things.

We didn’t start with a rebrand. We started with purpose. Why the business exists. Who we serve. What we stand for. That alone would have saved me years of frustration and turnover.

Then we tackled the team. We defined what an A-Player actually looked like. In performance and cultural fit. We built out clear roles, accountability, and a rhythm for feedback. The team knew what was expected. And they started showing up differently.

We mapped out a 3-year rolling plan. Not just goals, but ownership. Everyone knew what they were building toward and how their work fit into the bigger picture. We built a rhythm for culture. Weekly check-ins. Value-based hiring. Real accountability.

And I stopped being the bottleneck. I became the coach.

Within six months, I started feeling proud again. Within 12 months, the momentum was undeniable. Everything wasn't perfect, but we had built a culture that finally reflected what I believed in.

Most small business CEOs waste months, sometimes years, chasing the wrong things. Not because they’re lazy. No one shows them what actually matters.

If I could do it again, I’d skip the guesswork and start with structure. The Small Business Growth System gave me that. It wasn't magic and it wasn't exactly easy. But it provided clarity, rhythm, and accountability. Just what my small businesses needed.

If you’re ready to build a business you’re proud to lead, start with this free Leadership Audit. I did. It’ll show you where your culture stands and what’s getting in the way.

🎯 Take the Free Leadership Audit Now

Very Grateful

Ann-Marie