8 Epic Lessons from our Black Friday Launch

Launching a product or service can be exhilarating, but it can also be a humbling experience.?

I knew in my heart that this Black Friday offer was EXACTLY what I was meant to do. Our team came up with an incredible way that allowed me to spend 4 hours with business owners to accelerate their revenue and a way to keep the price point under $300.

I was beyond thrilled knowing the impact of those 4 hours and how many lives I could change.

It was supposed to be our big moment, but unbeknownst to me, everything was unraveling and I had no idea.?

We triple-checked, and the emails were scheduled every day from Friday to Monday.

I checked the email software every day and saw Friday - SENT and Saturday SENT.?

I found out Sunday… SUNDAY that the emails didn’t go out, the tech wasn’t working. This heavy feeling in the pit of my stomach was a stark reminder of just how quickly things can shift in business.?

This Black Friday, we faced unexpected challenges that tested our resilience and faith.?

These weren’t just business lessons; they were lessons in humanity, vulnerability, and growth.?

This newsletter is raw, real, and from the heart—an honest look at what went wrong and how we found a way forward.

Lesson 1: Delegation Without Training Is a Recipe for Disaster

I used to pride myself on being an efficient delegator. I thought I had cracked the code by using tools like Loom to create training videos and empower my team. Over time, their skills grew, and I stopped training altogether, assuming they could figure everything out. I was wrong.

When the cracks started to show, I realized I’d set my team up for failure. They weren’t equipped to handle new tasks without guidance. Delegation isn’t just about passing the baton; it’s about running alongside your team until they’re ready. This failure reminded me that consistent training isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.

Takeaway:

Effective delegation requires ongoing training and clear guidance. Never assume your team can figure it out without your support.

Lesson 2: Do NOT Implement New Technology During a Launch

We decided to overhaul our tech stack during the Black Friday launch, believing it would enhance our customer and partner experience. Instead, it became a nightmare. Piecemealed free plugins and programs created more chaos than clarity. Implementing new systems on a holiday weekend, with minimal team support and vendor availability, was like trying to build a plane while flying it.

This mistake was more than technical—it was emotional. I felt overwhelmed, defeated, and like I’d let my team down. Launches are not the time to fix long-standing gaps. Address those in advance or wait until after the critical period.

Takeaway:

Save major changes for less critical times. A launch isn’t the time to fix long-standing issues.

Lesson 3: Support Your Team by Reviewing Their Work

My team did everything I asked of them—and they did it well. But I became the bottleneck. Tasks piled up because I didn’t allocate time to review their work. I let my own overwhelm block progress, and my team’s hard work sat untouched. The frustration mounted, and I realized something important: I wasn’t just failing my team; I was failing myself.

Learning to honor their efforts by making time to review their work wasn’t just about logistics. It was about trust, respect, and showing up as the leader they needed me to be.

Takeaway:

Review your team’s work promptly to show respect for their efforts and maintain momentum.

Lesson 4: Honor Your Time Blocks

Time blocking has always been my secret weapon—when I honor it. This time, I didn’t. I let busy work, fear, and procrastination take over, pushing meaningful tasks to the next day and the next. The irony? I coach my clients to avoid this very trap.

Ignoring time blocks isn’t just a scheduling issue; it’s a self-worth issue. It’s about valuing your time enough to show up for the things that matter most. This failure reminded me to practice what I preach.

Takeaway:

Honor your time blocks as a commitment to yourself and your priorities. Don’t let busy work derail meaningful progress.

Lesson 5: Faith Is Key When Logic Fails

I’m not naturally someone who leans on faith. I’m a strategist, a planner, someone who needs to see the numbers. But this launch forced me to confront a truth I’ve been avoiding: sometimes, faith is all you have.

I set an ambitious goal for December. The launch was supposed to be the cornerstone of hitting that goal. When it failed, everything in me wanted to give up. But I couldn’t. Faith became my anchor. It reminded me that even when everything points to failure, there’s still a way forward. You just have to believe enough to find it.

Takeaway:

When logic falls short, let faith guide you forward. Sometimes belief is the strategy you need.

Lesson 6: Assumptions Are Costly

I assumed our email system was working because it showed that emails were sent. It wasn’t until Sunday that I realized 100% of our Black Friday emails had failed. The culprit? A monthly sending limit we unknowingly exceeded.

This wasn’t just a technical oversight; it was a painful lesson in accountability. I had stopped paying attention to the details, and it cost us dearly. Now, I test everything, even when I think it’s working, because assumptions are expensive.

Takeaway:

Never assume systems are working as expected. Test everything to avoid costly oversights.

Lesson 7: Ego Hurts More Than It Helps

I spent hours trying to fix a technical issue I had no business tackling. I was too embarrassed to admit I’d made a mistake, too proud to ask for help. When I finally reached out to my team, the problem was solved in ten minutes.

This wasn’t just about wasting time; it was about realizing how deeply my ego was sabotaging me. I hired my team because they’re smarter than me in their areas of expertise. My job is to trust them, not outsmart them. Letting go of my ego isn’t just freeing; it’s necessary.

Takeaway:

Let go of the need to be the smartest person in the room. Trust your team and their expertise.

Lesson 8: Resilience Is Not Optional

My mom taught me resilience, though I didn’t fully appreciate it until now. This launch tested every ounce of my strength, pushing me to the brink of giving up. But giving up isn’t in my DNA. Instead of a Black Friday sale, it became a December sale. Instead of folding, we pivoted. Whatever it takes, we keep going.

Resilience isn’t just about grit; it’s about grace. It’s about finding a way forward, even when the path isn’t clear. This experience reminded me that stopping is not an option.

Takeaway:

Resilience means finding grace and grit to move forward when giving up feels easier. Keep going.

We Can Grow Through Adversity

Every failure during this launch was a lesson in disguise. It highlighted the gaps in our systems, processes, and mindset, forcing us to grow in ways we never expected. It’s easy to feel defeated when things go wrong, but resilience lies in finding the silver lining.

These challenges weren’t just setbacks; they were opportunities to build something stronger. Sharing these lessons isn’t just about me—it’s about you. If you’re facing your own struggles, know this: failure isn’t the end. It’s a stepping stone to success. Keep going. The best is yet to come.

The Real Blessing

After yesterday's slight change in plans, I took time to rethink what was possible and now I am even more excited than before.

My Mom had inspirational Post-it notes all around her apartment. These would remind her to keep fighting when her mind was more tired than her body. I still have the box of her handwritten notes in my office. One quote that I often think of is:

Life may not be going how you want it to go but it is going how it's supposed to go.

This was how it was meant to go and I know I have grown because the old Bethanie would have FREAKED OUT. Bethanie 2.0 was curious to what happened and went into how can we make this still an incredible opportunity.

I am so proud and grateful to our incredible team that took accountability for something that is ultimately my doing.

Take care,

Bethanie

??If you ready for support, here's how I can help.

→ Join our Income Accelerator Masterclass being held December 12th and we will keep the price at the Black Friday price of $297.

→ Access our Training Vault to learn at your pace on your time everything from Getting Certified, to elevating your Linkedin, or Selling to the Government.

→ Check out our Done for You Services with (2) two 90-minute sessions with Bethanie. Team support for 90 days to get your Certification Applications done, reaching your ideal buyer on LinkedIn, Lead List, Pitches, and more.

Learn more about how to get our support HERE.

P.S. We are offering a special Giving Tuesday Bonus to anyone who buys on Tuesday, December 3rd to reserve their seat at the workshop AND gift a seat for someone that they know needs the revenue boost too. I LOVE THIS!

P.P.S. And more goodies to come that I can’t announce or I will be in trouble.