Can you build a financially sustainable business in a couple of months?

As an Intuitive Business Mentor , I participate in multiple online entrepreneurship groups, to stay abreast of current trends and to learn from others also walking this path. One of the hottest debates right now is how long it takes to create a financially sustainable business.

One post was from a single mom, who just got laid off from her corporate job and wants to shift her herbal soap business she’s been building on the side, to full-time. She considered applying for unemployment benefits to focus all of her efforts on her company. She has about six months of savings before she needed to make a profit to support her children and herself.

There was a flurry of comments, many from business coaches like me, who shared that it would be reasonable to work on building her company for 2-3 years before she would likely substitute her income.

Followed by quite a few commenters, who told her that was a limiting belief. If she only worked hard and got her mindset right, she could easily pull a profit in a few months. She needed to believe in the power of manifestation and not allow anyone’s low vibes to discourage her. Some even stated they did it themselves, as evidence.

So, who’s right?

Well, both.

There probably are a small percentage of entrepreneurs who start a business and a few months later, are making enough to support themselves. If you’ve been working in a particular field for some time, have a lot of expertise + nice-size network, it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility to quickly create a financially-viable consulting business.

However, if you’ve been working in one field and decide you want to do something totally different (i.e. switching from a corporate job to a spiritual or holistic pursuit) it will take longer than you expect. You are moving from mastery in one profession to being a novice in another. There’s nothing wrong with being a novice, however there is a learning curve.??

You not only have to learn how to deliver the product or service you’re selling, but you also must understand business finances, taxes, regulations and market yourself to attract an audience of potential buyers.

Some of the commenters stated, all you have to do is believe and a successful business will happen. I love the Law of Attraction and I’m a powerful manifestor. I employ positive thinking and affirmations every day. However, doing business is not just about mindset, it involves practical skills + building a network.

Making a statement like ‘believe and you will automatically achieve’ is na?ve. We’ve all wanted something badly, a new job, a new relationship or better health. You know by going through that experience, there were no shortcuts. You had to deal with all your triggers, repeat old patterns until you understood differently, plus face your fears about an unknown future. You asked a lot of questions and tried different things to get the results you desired.?

Mindset is an ongoing process. I’ve been working on mine for the past five years (actually, my whole life).

Also, there are core business skills you need to master, and you can’t juggle all of them at once. You won’t understand advanced skills until you learn the basics. It’s like learning to ride a bike. You start with a tricycle, then upgrade to a two-wheeler with training wheels before you eventually graduate to a 10-speed.

Cultivating a network takes time; no one does business in a vacuum. We need each other: for support, for referrals, for reciprocal partnerships. You can’t rush the trust-building that comes from showing up in integrity, time and again with your colleagues.

And most importantly, you need to be publicly visible.

If no one knows what you’re offering, you won’t make sales. Mic drop. Expanding visibility online without becoming overwhelmed, takes time for sensitive and empathic souls. We have to pace ourselves. We need to find the safe spaces to express who we are and what we believe in.

Especially if you’re offering spiritual, holistic or creative services or products. You’re not out there selling widgets; you’re facilitating deep transformation for clients. It’s not an overnight process for you to be able to hold that kind of space for your clients’ growth. What I knew seven years ago as a coach is completely different than what I know now – it only comes through experience.

My response to those who said my comment is a limiting belief:

No, I care deeply about a single mom. She just went through a very emotional process of being let go from her job and is facing an uncertain financial future. I don’t want to see her put an immense amount of time, money and energy into her soap-making business only to be frustrated or worse yet, deplete her savings – and have no way to support her family six months from now. There’s a small chance she could be wildly successful in a few months, but the odds are similar to winning the lottery.

Like all great things, crafting a conscious business takes time.

We need to reduce the pressure on ourselves to reach certain goals quickly. Goals are important, but there are so many external factors we cannot anticipate – like a global pandemic or getting laid off, for example. For two and half years, I worked a full-time job and later a part-time job to pay my bills, so I could slowly create a company I’m proud of, without shifting into fear-based survival mode.

Much of our modern culture is focused on get-rich-quick schemes or get-famous-quick schemes. I understand the lure of having everything drop in your lap without having to do the work – who doesn’t love the idea of working 4 hours a week from the beach? Except the sand getting in your computer, that’s a definite downside.

I teach my mentoring clients a different way.

We take your spark of an idea, or your existing spiritual business, and approach it as a slow, steady build. We don’t by-pass mindset obstacles or skimp on foundational business skills. I encourage you to pause and rest whenever you need to, listen to your intuitive knowing, and show up as a businessperson who serves from the heart.?

Ironically, I’ve noticed the more we slow down, get our energy system and worldly actions into alignment, the easier, more fulfilling and financially sustainable our businesses become. If you’re researching entrepreneurship, you’ll come across a lot of promises of quick wealth and success. Use discernment. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

I believe business can be a vehicle for expanding consciousness. I love my clients and the work I’m honored to do every day. I encourage anyone who’s been thinking about starting a business to give it a shot. You will learn so much about yourself, about people and the world.

Do two things: believe in yourself as a Divine spark of Source energy and be realistic about what can be accomplished on the Earthly plane.

A slow-build process is a part of what I teach in my mastermind group, the Wisdom Circle for Spiritual Leaders. A year-long journey to set the foundations for your new business or to expand your current business. Using your empathic and intuitive gifts to reach a hand back to those just a few steps behind you on the path.

I’m scheduling heart-felt discovery calls now and the program begins in early September. I would love to connect, learn more about what’s lighting you up and explore if this is the right resource for your next chapter.