And That’s Not as Grim as It Sounds (If You’re Prepared)
Here’s the hard truth no one likes to talk about: business owners wake up every day unemployed.
Unlike salaried employees who can expect a paycheck on schedule, we open our eyes each morning with one question hanging over us: What needs to happen today to make sure I get paid?
It’s not a panic—it’s a responsibility. A daily exercise in building something sustainable, resilient, and ideally, enjoyable.
You Are Your Own Payroll Department
Unless you’ve managed to build a self-sustaining empire with recurring revenue, passive income, or a team that runs the show without you, chances are you’re still actively responsible for keeping the revenue wheel turning.
That means:
- Consistently bringing in new clients
- Ensuring your client acquisition is both hands-on and hands-off
- Reviewing your systems, processes, and messaging to align with who you serve and how
What That Looks Like in Practice:
- Hands-off client acquisition: Your website, SEO, online review platforms, and social media presence need to do some of the heavy lifting—speaking clearly to your ideal client and showing the unique value you bring.
- Hands-on efforts: Networking, referrals, direct outreach, and strategic partnerships still matter. Make sure you’re making the most of your time in these spaces by having clarity around your ask, your offer, and your audience.
Action item: Ovulate (yes, we said it) your marketing channels—let your content cycle through fresh messaging. Make sure your online presence actually says what you do, why you’re worth it, and who you help. Vague content won’t attract specific clients.
Liability Isn’t Just Legal—It’s Personal
Too many business owners don’t realize that without the right protections in place, your personal life and financial future can be tied to risks you never saw coming.
We’re talking about:
- Business insurance
- Personal liability insurance
- Key person insurance (what happens if YOU can’t work?)
- Contracts—real ones—with clients, vendors, partners, and even employees
Common oversight: Partnership agreements that don’t account for death or exit. In some cases, the surviving partner could be legally obligated to pay up to 50% of business profits to the deceased partner’s heirs—while still doing 100% of the work. That’s not a worst-case scenario—that’s reality for businesses without proper planning.
Action item: Review all contracts and insurance policies annually. And bring in a third party to assess whether your current coverage actually aligns with your business and personal goals, both short-term and long-term.
Growth for Growth’s Sake? Hard Pass.
We’re not here to glorify hustle culture or scale for the sake of bragging rights.
The best business is one that supports the life you want—not one that consumes it.
Your business goals should evolve alongside your personal goals. Maybe you’re raising kids, or caring for aging parents. Maybe you’re preparing for retirement or handing off the reins to the next generation. That transition will—and should—change the business’ priorities.
New generation, new vision.
When we ignore the human side of business, we risk building something that no longer serves us—or worse, breaks us.
Final Thoughts (and Coffee)
The good news? You don’t have to do this alone.
At North Star, we believe in building businesses that work—not just that look good on paper. And we’ve built strong relationships with professionals across insurance, legal, operations, marketing, and more.
As a proud SCORE mentor and fellow business owner, I (Tara Meeker) love talking shop with other entrepreneurs. If you’re local to New Haven County, let’s grab coffee. Sometimes all it takes is one conversation to reset your course—or validate that you’re exactly where you need to be.
Until then, keep waking up unemployed. But do it with purpose, protection, and a plan.
