Hey girlfriend, I did a thing…

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I changed the name of this newsletter. Again.

Before you roll your eyes at me 👀, hear me out.

Starting next time, this newsletter will be called Side Business Momentum. 🎉

Why? Because that’s exactly what we’re doing here—helping you make steady progress, take action, and actually build a profitable side business on your terms.

No, I’m not out here rebranding every other week. 😂

But just like I teach you to start before everything is perfect and refine as you go, I’m doing the same.

Adjust, tweak, improve—it’s all part of the process!

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✨ What’s Changing? Just the name.

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✨ What’s Staying the Same? Everything else—same strategies, same weekend-friendly approach, same goal: helping you stop procrastinating and finally build a business that fits your life.

Now, let’s talk about what actually holds most women back from building a successful side business—because it’s probably not what you think.

Why Most Side Businesses Never Take Off (And What to Do Instead)

You’ve got an idea for a side business, but every time you try to figure out your next step, you get stuck.

Maybe you’ve heard you need a real business plan before you can start—something packed with market research, financial projections, and way too many pages.

Sounds exhausting, right?

If you were pitching investors or applying for a bank loan, sure, a long business plan might make sense. But for a side business? Nope.

Most side businesses don’t fail because they skipped the 20-page plan. They fail because they never actually started. The more time you spend trying to make your plan perfect, the longer you delay actually doing the thing 💯

Here’s the good news: You don’t need a complicated business plan.

You just need a lean business plan—a simple, one-page plan that helps you get clear on the essentials:

✔ Who you help
✔ What you offer
✔ How you make money
✔ How you’ll find customers

No wasted time. No unnecessary details. Just a solid plan to get you moving.

And the best part? You can create yours today.

What Is a Lean Business Plan?

A lean business plan is a one-page roadmap that covers the core elements of your business—without extra fluff or unnecessary complexity.

Unlike traditional business plans that can take weeks (or months) to create, a lean business plan is:

✅ Fast to create – You can complete it in under an hour.
✅ Action-focused – It helps you start, not just plan.
✅ Adaptable – You can tweak and improve it as your business grows.

Think of it as your business’s game plan—something you can refer to when making decisions, setting goals, and staying on track.

A Lean Business Plan Includes Six Key Elements:

1️⃣ Problem: What problem are you solving?
2️⃣ Solution: How does your business solve this problem?
3️⃣ Ideal Customer: Who is your business for?
4️⃣ Revenue Streams: How will you make money?
5️⃣ Costs to Consider: What will it take to get started?
6️⃣ Marketing Plan: How will you find customers?

It’s simple, effective, and built to help you start moving forward immediately.

Why a Lean Business Plan Matters

A lean business plan is more than just a document—it’s a decision-making tool that helps you stay focused and take action.

Here’s why it’s so powerful:

1. It Saves Time

A full-length business plan can take weeks to complete. A lean business plan? You can create one in under an hour. Instead of getting stuck in endless planning, you can start taking action right away.

2. It Helps You Stay Focused

Without a plan, it’s easy to get distracted by new ideas, second-guess yourself, or waste time on things that don’t actually move your business forward. A lean business plan keeps you focused on the core priorities that drive success.

3. It Encourages Action

Many aspiring entrepreneurs get stuck in “planning mode” because they feel like they need everything figured out before they start. A lean business plan shifts your focus from “someday” to “right now.”

4. It’s Easy to Update

Your business will evolve over time. A lean business plan is designed to be flexible—you can adjust it as you learn more about your customers and refine your strategy.

5. It Helps You Make Better Decisions

When opportunities or challenges come up, your lean business plan acts as a guidepost, helping you decide what fits your vision and what doesn’t.

How to Create Your Lean Business Plan (Step by Step)

Now that you know what a lean business plan is and why it’s important, it’s time to create your own.

This process is simple—you’ll answer six key questions, and by the end, you’ll have a clear, easy-to-follow plan to guide your side business.

Step 1: Define the Problem You Solve

Every successful business solves a problem. If you can’t explain the problem clearly, it will be hard to connect with customers.

What to Do:

1️⃣ What problem do your customers struggle with?
2️⃣ Why is this a real issue for them?
3️⃣ What happens if this problem isn’t solved?

Example:

❌ "Helping small business owners with writing."
​ ✅ "Helping small business owners write clear emails and website content so they don’t lose customers."

Outcome: A short sentence that explains the problem your business solves.

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​Step 2: Outline Your Solution

Now, explain how your business solves the problem.

What to Do:

1️⃣ What do you offer?
2️⃣ How does it fix the problem?
3️⃣ What makes it different or better?

Example:

❌ "I offer templates."
​ ✅ "I sell email and website templates that help small business owners write clear content quickly, even if they don’t like writing."

Outcome: A short, clear sentence about what you offer.

Step 3: Identify Your Ideal Customer

If you try to reach everyone, you’ll reach no one. Get specific about who your business is for.

What to Do:

1️⃣ Who needs your product or service the most?
2️⃣ What are their biggest struggles?
3️⃣ Why would they want to buy from you?

Example:

❌ "Anyone who needs help with writing."
​✅ "Small business owners who need clear, professional writing but don’t have time to do it themselves."

Outcome: A simple customer description that helps you market better.

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​Step 4: Choose Your Revenue Streams

How will you make money?

What to Do:

1️⃣ What is your main way of making money (products, services, etc.)?
2️⃣ Do you have other ways to earn from your business?
3️⃣ What is your pricing model?

Example:

❌ "I will sell digital products."
​✅ "I will sell $29 email templates and offer a $10/month content planning membership."

Outcome: A simple plan for how you’ll make money.

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​Step 5: Outline Your Costs

What will it cost to get started?

What to Do:

1️⃣ List the must-have costs (website, software, materials, etc.).
2️⃣ Estimate your total monthly expenses.
3️⃣ Think about ways to keep costs low at first.

Example:

❌ "I need a lot of money to start."
​✅ "My startup costs are $12/month for a website, $20/month for email software, and $15 for design tools. Total: $47/month."

Outcome: A quick budget so you know what it takes to start.

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​Step 6: Choose Your Marketing Plan

Your business won’t grow if people don’t know about it.

What to Do:

1️⃣ Pick one or two ways to market (email, word of mouth, partnerships, etc.).
2️⃣ How will people find out about you?
3️⃣ Set a simple marketing goal.

Example:

❌ "I will post online."
​✅ "I will write one helpful article per week and share it on Reddit to attract customers."

Outcome: A simple plan to help people find your business.

Your Lean Business Plan

You now have the structure for a lean business plan—one that focuses on what actually matters and helps you move forward without overcomplicating things.

Now, it’s time to fill in your answers and create a plan that works for you. This is your roadmap to turning your idea into a real, profitable side business.

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📌 The Problem I Solve: What challenge or frustration does your business address?

📌 My Solution: How does your product or service solve this problem?

📌 Who I Help: Who is your ideal customer? Describe them in detail.

📌 How I Make Money: What products, services, or offers will generate revenue?

📌 What It Costs to Start: What are your essential expenses to launch?

📌 How I’ll Find Customers: How will you market your business and attract customers?

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Once you’ve filled this in, you’ll have a clear, simple plan that’s ready to guide your next steps.

No more second-guessing—just a solid foundation to start building your side business.

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Yours truly, ​ ​ ​ Kristina Portella, Business Strategist ​ Founder of Side Business Momentum​ ​ Where clarity meets momentum-for a business that truly fits your life.

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