No One Is Coming to Save Your Business, Do It Yourself
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I want to tell you about a midsize business owner drowning in consultants. He kept hiring them, one after another, each promising to turn things around. They’d show up, drop off a fancy report, and disappear. Meanwhile, his profit stayed flat, his team was overwhelmed, and he barely slept.
One night, he was alone in his office, staring at a payroll he wasn’t sure he could cover. That’s when it hit him. He told me, “I realized it’s on me. No one’s coming to save my business.” That moment was his turning point. So, what’s yours?
The turning point every owner needs
Let’s be real: hoping someone else will fix your problems is tempting. A consultant, a new hire, maybe even some magic software. But here’s the truth: no one will care about your business as much as you do. Consultants can advise, pinpoint blind spots, and maybe even hand you a plan. But if you don’t act, nothing changes.
I’ve seen owners spend thousands on experts only to shelve their advice because it felt too hard or the timing wasn’t “perfect.” Waiting for the right moment is a trap. Your business doesn’t have time for that. The problems are piling up: low margins, stressed teams, endless emergencies, they’re not going away on their own. You have to step up.
Your calendar tells the truth
I know what you’re thinking: “I’m already doing everything I can!” But are you? Pull up your calendar right now. What does it say? If it’s packed with meetings, emails, and putting out fires, you’re probably not leading; you’re reacting.
Your calendar tells the truth about your priorities. If there’s no time blocked for profit-focused work, like reviewing your P&L or cutting a bloated expense, you’re not owning the future of your business.
One client I worked with swore he had no time for strategy. His calendar showed 12 hours a week chasing emergencies, zero on profit. We carved out just 90 minutes a week to review his financials. Within months, his managers solved problems without him, and the whole business felt calmer and more focused. That’s the power of taking charge.
Here’s the thing: you can’t pay someone to care as much as you do. You can hire the best accountant and the sharpest operations manager, but responsibility for your business’s success rests with you.
It’s not about working harder; it’s about working smarter. Start small. Pick one profit-related task this week. Maybe it’s canceling an unused subscription, renegotiating a vendor contract, or reviewing your pricing. Do it by Friday. One task, done well, can shift your momentum.
A client thought he needed a complete overhaul to boost profit. Instead, we started with one thing: he cut a $900 monthly software he barely used. That small win gave him the confidence to tackle bigger issues.
Start small, lead strong
Your team is watching you, too. They feed off your clarity and energy. If you’re scattered, putting out fires, they’ll be scattered too. But they’ll follow if you show up focused with a clear plan. That client I mentioned. Whose calendar was filled with firefighting?
Once he started those weekly financial reviews, his team noticed. They started coming to meetings prepared, pitching ideas to save money. Your leadership sets the tone. When you own your business’s future, you also allow your team to step up.
Owning your business isn’t just about responsibility; it’s your biggest advantage. No one knows your customers, team, or vision like you do. That’s your edge. But you have to use it. Stop waiting for a savior. Stop hoping the market will turn or a new hire will fix everything. The power to change your business is in your hands right now.
So, here’s your action step for this week: open your calendar and block 30 minutes to tackle one profit task. Review your P&L and look for one cost to cut. Maybe it’s calling a vendor to negotiate a better rate. Just do it. That’s how you start owning your business again.
You’re ready to step up, but here’s the catch: what if your business is already leaking cash? In our next episode, we’ll uncover the hidden ways your company is losing money and why waiting even one more month could cost you everything. Don’t miss it.
Action
- Cut one cost: Block 30 minutes, review P&L, and cut one expense. Just one. Lead by example.
Andrew’s books
- How to Start Building Your Wealth Investing in the Stock Market
- My Worst Investment Ever
- 9 Valuation Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Transform Your Business with Dr.Deming’s 14 Points
Andrew’s online programs
- Valuation Master Class
- The Become a Better Investor Community
- How to Start Building Your Wealth Investing in the Stock Market
- Finance Made Ridiculously Simple
- FVMR Investing: Quantamental Investing Across the World
- Become a Great Presenter and Increase Your Influence
- Transform Your Business with Dr. Deming’s 14 Points
- Achieve Your Goals
Connect with Andrew Stotz:
About the show & host, Andrew Stotz
Welcome to My Worst Investment Ever podcast hosted by Your Worst Podcast Host, Andrew Stotz, where you will hear stories of loss to keep you winning. In our community, we know that to win in investing you must take the risk, but to win big, you’ve got to reduce it.
Your Worst Podcast Host, Andrew Stotz, Ph.D., CFA, is also the CEO of A. Stotz Investment Research and A. Stotz Academy, which helps people create, grow, measure, and protect their wealth.