Hey girlfriend, I did a thing… 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! ✨ What’s Changing? Just the name. 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 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. 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? It’s simple, effective, and built to help you start moving forward immediately. Why a Lean Business Plan MattersA 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 TimeA 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 FocusedWithout 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 ActionMany 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 UpdateYour 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 DecisionsWhen 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 SolveEvery 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? Example:❌ "Helping small business owners with writing." Outcome: A short sentence that explains the problem your business solves.
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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. |
Every Friday, I’ll help you get clear on your business focus and messaging, so you can attract the right clients and grow a side business that truly fits your life.
Welcome to The Side Business Momentum Newsletter! Hi, I’m Kristina—if you’re an ambitious woman ready to get clear, build momentum, and finally shape your side business into something that truly fits your life, you’re in the right place. Not on the list? Join here! Hey Girl, Welcome Back! Last year I hit a wall. Everything in my business looked fine on paper… but nothing was landing. No new clients. No new subscribers. My offers were solid. My systems were technically working. But it felt...
Welcome to The Side Business Momentum Newsletter! For women who’ve already started their side business—and want to build serious momentum. Not on the list? Join here! Hey Girl, Welcome Back! Nothing slows your business down faster than a pile of half-finished projects and a mind full of “maybe this will work” ideas. Jumping from one trend to the next, hoping the latest idea will finally bring in clients, often leads to overwhelm and frustration instead of progress. If you feel pulled in too...
Welcome to The Side Business Momentum Newsletter! For women who’ve already started their side business—and want to build serious momentum. Not on the list? Join here! Hey Girl, Welcome Back! Let me tell you—this was a lesson I had to learn the hard way. For the longest time, I was trying to help everyone. I was casting this giant net, hoping somebody—anybody—would bite. You know what finally showed me I was heading in the right direction? I started losing subscribers. Sounds backwards, right?...