How I Almost Lost My Business by Ignoring This One Key Lesson (And How You Can Avoid It)
- Tarra Stubbins
- Mar 26
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 2
As entrepreneurs, we’re often drawn to the allure of scaling fast, mimicking successful models, and chasing trends that promise quick wins. The pressure to build something “marketable” or “investment-worthy” often overshadows the need to build something authentic to us. I learned the hard way that when you stray too far from who you are and what you truly value, it’s only a matter of time before the cracks begin to show.
Here’s the truth: your business is a reflection of you. When it’s out of alignment with your values, passions, and strengths, the journey becomes heavier, the wins feel hollow, and growth comes at a cost you weren’t ready to pay.
But when your business is rooted in who you truly are? That’s where the magic happens. Here’s what I’ve learned about the importance of building a business that speaks to you - and some hard lessons from when I didn’t follow that path.
Lesson 1: A Business Without Purpose is Like Sailing Without a Compass
When I started Take It Easy Group, my initial vision was clear: I wanted to help founders delegate, scale, and find balance. But somewhere along the way, I got caught up in chasing rapid growth at all costs. I thought that’s what success should look like. I started hiring based on urgency instead of alignment and said “yes” to clients who didn’t match my core values.
Before I knew it, my business didn’t feel like mine anymore. It felt like I was running someone else’s dream. That’s when I realized: purpose isn’t a luxury in business - it’s your foundation. If your work doesn’t light you up or align with your why, it’ll drain you faster than you can refill.
Lesson 2: When You’re Building a Business That’s Not You, It Shows
One of the hardest lessons I learned was losing my senior leadership team. At the time, I had built systems and hired people who didn’t align with the heart of what I stood for. I was too focused on scaling quickly and didn’t take the time to assess if we were building in a way that reflected me.
When cracks started to form, it became clear that the people and systems I had built weren’t right for the business. This led to setbacks that could’ve been avoided if I had stayed true to what made my business unique: my personal touch, my passion for helping founders thrive, and my commitment to building long-term relationships with white-glove service.
Lesson 3: The Best Business Advice Won’t Always Work for You
As entrepreneurs, we’re bombarded with advice: “This is the fastest way to scale!” Follow this 5-step strategy to grow your team!” “This worked for me, so it’ll work for you.”
But here’s the thing: cookie-cutter advice rarely works when it’s not tailored to your unique journey. I tried strategies that didn’t feel right for me or my clients, and it often backfired. Success doesn’t come from copying someone else’s formula - it comes from creating your own. Trust your instincts. Lean into what feels right.
Lesson 4: When You Lead Authentically, You Attract the Right People
When I shifted my focus back to building a business that aligned with my values, everything changed. I started attracting the right clients - founders who valued what we brought to the table. My team became stronger because they believed in our mission.
Authenticity is magnetic. When you stop trying to please everyone and instead focus on being unapologetically yourself, the people who resonate with your message will find you.
Lesson 5: Your Business Should Evolve with You
We’re not static beings, and neither are our businesses. As I’ve grown as a person, I’ve made conscious decisions to let my business grow alongside me. That meant letting go of things that no longer served me and doubling down on the things that felt right.
For me, that meant creating a team of strategic, North American-based professionals who could act as true partners to our clients. It also meant raising our prices and focusing on quality over quantity, even though it was scary at first. These challenges felt risky, but they were necessary to align my business with who I am and what I stand for.
Takeaway: Build a Business That Feels Like Home
If there’s one thing I hope you take away, it’s this: your business should feel like home. It should reflect your values, your passions, and your unique way of doing things. When you build a business that speaks to who you are, it’s not just fulfilling - it’s sustainable.
Yes, there will be challenges. Yes, the road might take longer. But when your business is built on authenticity, every step feels worth it.
So ask yourself:
Does your business reflect your values?
Are you chasing goals that matter to you or ones you think you’re supposed to chase?
If you stripped away everything else, would you still feel proud of what you’ve built?
If the answer is no, it’s not too late to pivot. Lean into who you are, trust your instincts, and build something that speaks to you. That’s the kind of business that stands the test of time.
To all the founders reading this, keep going, stay true, and remember: the best path is the one that feels like yours.
At Take It Easy Group, we specialize in helping founders like you build businesses that align with their vision and values. We’re not just here to take tasks off your plate - we’re here to partner with you strategically, helping you focus on what truly matters and stay in alignment with your goals. If you are ready to build a business that reflects who you are and what you stand for, let’s talk. When you stop chasing what works for others and start leaning into what works for you, the possibilities are endless.
Contact us today to learn how our team can help you achieve your goals - one step at a time. hello@takeiteasygroup.com or Book your free strategy call here.
No fluff. No Spam. Just advice on how to grow to the 1%
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