3 Summers, 1 Disaster, and a Fortune Spent

We’re in year three of trying to finish our backyard.

Not because we had some dreamy, multi-phase landscaping vision.

But because we hired the wrong landscaper the first time—and it cost us. Big time.

What started as an exciting project quickly turned into a frustrating mess. And as I stood in the middle of torn-up turf, uneven stonework, and broken promises, I realized: this wasn’t just a landscaping problem.

It was a business lesson in disguise.

The Red Flags I Ignored (and Paid For)

When we first hired our landscaper, I came in with a clear vision. I knew what I wanted—down to the trees, the layout, and the feel of the space.

But he didn’t listen.

He had his own vision. And instead of working collaboratively, he pushed his ideas hard. He talked over mine. He told me what “would look better.” He disregarded what mattered to me and steamrolled ahead with what he thought made sense.

The red flags showed up fast:

• He subcontracted work to random trades I’d never met.

• The crew showed up late (if they showed up at all).

• The workmanship was poor—sloppy cuts, uneven lines, shortcuts everywhere.

• The communication? Minimal at best.

I knew things felt off. But I didn’t step in early enough. I kept hoping it would turn around.

It didn’t.

Eventually, the quality was so bad that we had no choice but to tear everything out and start again. A complete redo. Major reinvestment. Major frustration.

And yes—we fired him.

But standing in the rubble of our half-finished backyard, I couldn’t help but think: how many small business owners are stuck in the same cycle?

When You Settle in Business, You Pay Later

Here’s the truth no one likes to hear: settling costs you more in the long run.

I see it all the time with my coaching clients:

You hire a VA because you need help fast—but they’re not the right fit and end up costing you more time fixing their mistakes.

You bring on a team member who’s almost right—but not aligned with your values, and they quietly erode your company culture.

You know a system isn’t working, but it feels easier to patch it with duct tape than rebuild it properly.

Until you can’t ignore it anymore.

Just like I did with my backyard, business owners delay the tough decisions—because starting over feels painful. But what’s more painful? Wasted time, lost money, and a business that no longer reflects your vision.

What This Taught Me (and What I Coach My Clients Through)

This wasn’t just a landscaping fail—it was a full-blown leadership reminder. One I now pass onto every business owner I coach.

Here’s what this experience reinforced:

1. Your vision matters. A lot.

If someone can’t (or won’t) get behind it, they’re not the right fit—no matter how experienced or well-reviewed they are.

In business, this applies to your team, your contractors, and even your systems. You’re building something intentional. Don’t let someone else steer the ship off course just because they’ve “done this a hundred times.”

2. Your subcontractors reflect on you.

In business terms: anyone who represents your brand—whether it’s a social media manager, customer service rep, or part-time admin—is carrying your name. Their quality is your reputation.

You can’t afford to be hands-off here. Quality control isn’t micromanagement—it’s leadership.

3. It costs more to fix it than to do it right.

Every hour and dollar spent redoing work is a direct hit to your bottom line. Whether it's messy onboarding, unclear roles, or rushed hiring, bandaid solutions don’t last.

I tell my clients this all the time: slow is smooth, and smooth is fast. Build it right from the beginning—or be prepared to rebuild later.

4. Settling delays the inevitable.

We tried to “make it work” with our landscaper for far too long. Why? Because ripping it up felt exhausting. But waiting only made the mess worse.

Same in business. That employee who constantly drops the ball? That process that makes you cringe? That chaos you keep trying to ignore?

It’s not going to fix itself.

And if you’re serious about growth, you have to be willing to get uncomfortable and make the call.

The Biggest Mistake I Made Mid-Project

Looking back, the biggest mistake I made wasn’t hiring the wrong person.

It was waiting too long to course-correct.

There was a point mid-project where I knew this wasn’t going well. I could see the signs—poor workmanship, no communication, lack of care. But I told myself it would be “too dramatic” to make a change. I didn’t want the confrontation. I didn’t want to start over.

And that delay?
It made everything worse.

By the time we finally pulled the plug, the damage was done. What could’ve been a simple adjustment turned into a full teardown—and a much bigger reinvestment.

How to Rebuild Your Business (Without Burning It All Down)

Here’s the good news:
You don’t always have to start from scratch.

But you do need to be honest about what’s not working. Rebuilding your business can be done in phases—with clarity, strategy, and structure.

Here’s where I recommend starting:

→ Audit your people.
Are the right people in the right roles? Are they aligned with your company values? Do they have the tools and clarity to succeed?

→ Refocus your vision.
If your business has evolved, your vision might need updating. Re-ground in your goals so you can realign the way you operate day-to-day.

→ Fix your foundations.
That means your systems, your org chart, your communication flow. The stuff that no one sees but everyone feels. Stop patching holes and start building systems that scale.

→ Stop DIY-ing everything.
If you’re still doing everything yourself, it’s time to delegate—with intention. Not rushed hires. Not panic-fueled outsourcing. Strategic delegation with clarity and onboarding.

Your Business Deserves Better Than a Sloppy Build

This experience was messy, expensive, and frustrating. But I’m grateful for it—because it was a visceral reminder of how much damage can be done when we ignore our gut and settle for “good enough.”

So let me ask you this:

• Where in your business are you settling?

• Where are you avoiding the hard conversation because it feels inconvenient?

• Where are you trusting someone who doesn’t actually respect your vision?

Whether you’re just starting out, scaling fast, or somewhere in the middle—your business deserves structure. It deserves clarity. And you deserve to feel proud of how it runs.

You’re allowed to take back control.
You’re allowed to rebuild.
And you’re absolutely allowed to fire the metaphorical (or literal) landscaper and start fresh—with strategy this time.

Rebuilding Doesn’t Mean You Failed

If anything, choosing to rebuild your business shows strength, not weakness. The most successful entrepreneurs aren’t the ones who get it perfect the first time—they’re the ones who are willing to fix what isn’t working, even if it’s uncomfortable.

And if you’re sitting in the mess, unsure of your next step?
That’s exactly what I help small business owners with.

I’ve been there—and I can help you move forward.

What Happens When You Don’t Rebuild

Avoiding the hard fix doesn’t just slow you down—it compounds the cost.

I’ve seen business owners burn out their best team members, lose hard-earned clients, and stall growth simply because they waited too long to act. The fear of starting over can keep you stuck in survival mode—long past the point where it’s sustainable.

Rebuilding doesn’t set you back. It sets you up.

I’ve been there—and I can help you move forward.

I’ve got a couple coaching spots open right now—and trust me, they won’t last!
If you’re done being the bottleneck in your own business and ready to work fewer hours without sacrificing growth, this is your chance.

Fill out this quick application and let’s build a business that gives you your life back.

APPLY HERE!