If you’ve spent much time around The BossBabe Podcast or you follow me on Instagram, you know something big is happening this year.
I’m building a house.
(Pinch me, I still feel like I’m dreaming)!
At the beginning of 2021, I said I wanted my word for the year to be “adventure” and I feel like I have taken that word very literally. An adventure I asked for, and an adventure is exactly what I have gotten. It’s been kind of mind-boggling but in the best way.
So just a few weeks ago, my husband and I packed up our home in LA and moved halfway across the country to Austin, TX where we are currently in the process of building our dream home.
I’ll be absolutely honest with you – it has been much more emotional than I expected. Lots of highs, and lots of lows, but I do not regret a single thing. In fact, I am really beginning to love this in-between season and appreciate the process.
One of the things I’ve thought a lot about is how much the process of building our new home reminds me of these first few years of building BossBabe.
That’s why I wanted to share with you the lessons I’m actively learning about what building a home and building a business have in common.
Let’s dive in.
Four Business Lessons You Can Learn From Building A House
- Get The Foundation Right Before Worrying About Making Things Pretty
This week, we got to walk around all the galleries and pick out all the things. We decided on the pretty parts of our home – like the lighting, hardware, flooring and backsplash.
It was honestly so much fun. But the thing is: it was only fun because I knew we had the foundation right. The same thing is true for your business.
You can’t enjoy the fun details if you don’t lay a solid foundation for your business first. You have to get through the not-so-sexy part before you can move on to the exciting details. But trust me, that makes the fun part even more fun.
- Patience Is Everything – Don’t Make Short-Term Decisions
There have been times during the home-building process where I’ve wanted to rush through a decision or settle for something that was less than ideal just to get it over with.
Every time, I have to remind myself I’m making a long-term decision, not a short-term one. The decisions I make now about my house are going to affect me for years to come. If I make a bad choice, it’s not just going to go away in time – it’s going to stick with me.
In your business, it’s important to make important decisions with a long-term perspective, not a short-term one. Don’t buy email software that will work for the next six months. Think ahead to the software you’re going to need in five years. Don’t hire a manager who can manage where your business is today. Hire someone who will get you where you want to be.
- Invest In The Best People. Outsource The Things That Aren’t Your Zone Of Genius To People Who Are Qualified.
Can you imagine how absolutely insane it would be if I told you I was trying to build my house on my own? It’s honestly kind of laughable.
That’s because I am not a licensed contractor. I have no idea how to build a home. If I tried, I might be able to put together a decent structure, but I would definitely do more harm than good.
When you put it that way, it seems so obvious that we should all be operating in our zone of genius. But the reality is, SO many entrepreneurs aren’t operating in theirs.
Can you relate?
You’re trying to do accounting and be your own lawyer and send administrative emails and set the vision for your company. The problem is, when you do that, you’re doing more harm than good to yourself and your business.
If you can afford to, invest your money in the best people. Build a team that makes you better and covers your blind spots.
If this is something you consistently struggle with, or if you aren’t in a place where you can hire someone just yet, I want you to check out our totally free Work Smarter, Not Harder guide. It’s a quick + easy task prioritization trick so you can STOP spending time on things you hate and START growing your business by focusing on what you love. Just click here to get access.
- Remember That Cheaper Isn’t Often Better.
Building a home is expensive. So is building a business.
There are going to be times when you’re tempted to choose the cheaper option to save a little bit of money along the way. Do that with great caution.
The reality is: cheaper isn’t always better. Yes, there will be times when you can opt for a less-expensive option and get a similar result, but when it comes to the important things like who you hire or how you manufacture your goods, try not to cut corners. If you do, you risk the whole thing falling flat. Sometimes it’s better to wait a few months and save for the best option than to rush into something that’s not great.
Because, let’s be honest, the cheaper option usually costs you money in the end.
Follow Us On Our Journey
If you’re new around here, I’d love to invite you to come along on this journey with me. I promise to share not only the highlights but also the real behind-the-scenes of building a business (and a home).
You can find me on Instagram @iamnatalie. I can’t wait to see you there.
XO
Natalie Ellis
