How to Build Your Perfect Gentle Business (Without Burning Out)
Ever feel like your business is driving you instead of the other way around? Like you’re constantly fighting the steering wheel when you should be cruising comfortably toward your goals? Let’s fix that.
Think of your business like choosing the perfect car for a journey. You wouldn’t take a sports car off-roading or squeeze a family of six into a compact car. Your business needs to fit you just as perfectly. As someone who’s helped countless women entrepreneurs find their rhythm, I’ve noticed that most business struggles come from trying to force ourselves into a business model that just doesn’t fit.
In this latest podcast episode, let’s break down three types of business journeys:
- The Explorer: You’re like a new driver in a new town, learning the layout and testing different routes. Perfect for new business owners or those making a big pivot.
- The Sunday Driver: You know your destination but aren’t in a rush. You can take scenic detours and stop for opportunities along the way.
- The Planned Router: You’ve got specific destinations and deadlines. You need a clear map and efficient route to reach your goals.
Which one sounds most like you right now?
To build a business that runs smoothly, you need three key components (think of them as parts of your business vehicle):
1. Clarity: Your Windshield
Just like you need a clear view through your windshield and properly aligned mirrors, your business needs clear vision. What can you see ahead? What opportunities are in your blind spots? A clear view gives you confidence to move forward.
2. Alignment: Your Steering
When a car’s tires are out of alignment, it pulls to one side and wastes energy. Similarly, when your business isn’t aligned with your values and strengths, everything feels harder than it should. Good alignment means your business naturally flows with your skills and personality.
3. Rest: Your Fuel Stops
No car runs forever without gas, and no business owner can run forever without rest. Schedule regular maintenance breaks, fuel stops (that’s self-care!), and time to check your map. Rest isn’t a luxury – it’s essential maintenance.
Here’s the thing about building a gentle business: it’s not about working harder. It’s about building something that fits who you are. Just like my niece who chose a bright green car that perfectly matches her vibrant personality, your business should reflect and support who you are.
Think about your current business:
- Does it feel like a comfortable ride or a constant struggle?
- Are you regularly running on empty, or do you have sustainable energy?
- Does your business path align with your natural strengths and values?
Have you felt like your business
is off and not sure why?
Maybe you are not showing
up as YOU in your business.
Take the Business Personality Quiz & Find Out!
Let’s Connect:
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/martagoertzen
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/selahstudiosco
TRANSCRIPT:
[00:00:00] Marta Goertzen: In our last episode, we asked what it means to do business gently. Today, we’re exploring how to build a gentle business. I’ll guide you through designing a journey and creating a plan that works for you.
[00:00:32] Hello and welcome to Doing Business Gently, a podcast for women who are ready to have a business that doesn’t drain them. This show is for you if you want to:
- Create a business with clarity
- Align with your personal values and priorities
- Work from a place of rest
- Develop healthy habits for life-business integration
[00:01:07] This episode is brought to you by the Gentle Business Life Mini Mind, coming the first week in February 2025. This six-week jumpstart beta group is part of the upcoming Gentle Business Life Initiative launching in 2025. We’ll bring together women who are ready to do business differently. During our group coaching calls, we’ll:
- Explore where we have clarity
- Identify areas needing refinement
- Develop core systems for gentle business practices
[00:02:27] Today, we’re talking about heading out on an adventure. I’ve previously called it a business clarity journey, but now we’re calling it designing a gentle business adventure. There’s no cookie-cutter answer to developing a gentle business – you are unique, I am unique, and we all have different components to consider.
[00:03:03] Let’s explore the different types of journeys you might be on. You may recognize these descriptions as relating to your current business season:
The Explorer Journey:
- Like when I first moved to college
- Getting to know the layout of a new area
- Understanding how everything connects
- Perfect for those newer to business or in a major pivot
The Sunday Drive:
- A relaxed journey with a general destination
- Time to enjoy the scenery and make stops along the way
- Ideal when you have goals but aren’t pressed for time
The Planned Route:
- Clear destination and deadlines
- Detailed itinerary
- Suitable for launch seasons or specific project timelines
[00:06:16] To design your gentle business “vehicle,” consider these three essential components:
- Clarity:
- Like a clear windshield and properly aligned mirrors
- Gives you full visibility of what’s ahead
- Helps you spot opportunities and challenges
- Alignment:
- Just as misaligned tires affect driving
- Your business should align with your skills and values
- Prevents unnecessary struggle and energy waste
- Rest:
- Regular refueling stops
- Scheduled maintenance
- Built-in breaks and recovery time
[00:09:21] When considering your business identity, think about:
- What type of “vehicle” best represents you?
- Does it match your personality and working style?
- Can it handle the journey you’re planning?
- How do you want to be recognized by your audience?
[00:11:33] Finally, focus on building healthy habits and routines:
- Regular business maintenance
- Scheduled rest periods
- Clear alignment with your values and priorities
- Consistent evaluation of what’s working
Remember, when something isn’t working in your business, return to these three questions:
- What are you clear on?
- Where are you out of alignment?
- Are you honoring your need for rest?
Marta Goertzen is a Gentle Business Coach and founder of Selah Studios, host of the Doing Business Gently podcast. She helps Christian women entrepreneurs over 50 rediscover who they’ve become, realign their business to match, and fall in love with their work again, gently, at their pace, without starting over. As an avid photographer and lover of the outdoors, she daily explores the trails and beaches of the South Central Oregon Coast with her dog Mochi in tow. Take the free Business Alignment Audit as your gentle first step, a way to pause, get honest, and see clearly where you and your business are right now: https://SelahStudios.co/alignmentaudit