I talk to creative entrepreneurs and eComm brand owners all the time and when the conversation shifts to “how business is going,” most say things are good. They’re making sales, orders are rolling in, and their brand is moving.

But then I ask a few deeper questions, and the answers tell a different story:

The Questions That Separate Hustlers from Builders

ME: What’s your tax strategy?

THEM: I don’t really have one yet.

ME: Do you pull your profit first?

THEM: I don’t even know what that means.

ME: What’s your profit margin on each product?

THEM: I’m not sure, but I know I’m making money.

ME: What’s your average order value (AOV)?

THEM: I haven’t really tracked that yet.

ME: What’s your customer journey for turning one-time buyers into repeat customers?

THEM: I just try to give good service.

ME: What’s your mission statement?

THEM: I don’t have one yet.

ME: Is your brand trademarked?

THEM: Not yet, but it’s on the list.

If This Sounds Like You, Don’t Panic, but Don’t Stay There

If those answers hit a little too close to home, it’s not the end of the world, but it is a sign. A sign that it’s time to tighten up.

Making money is one thing. Building a real business is something else entirely. And if you’re serious about being in this for the long haul, you’ve got to get intentional.

Don’t Build Your Business on Quicksand

I’m not saying you have to understand every piece of industry jargon before you launch, but we do have to commit to consistently learning. We have to build our businesses on solid ground not quicksand.

It’s easy to chase temporary money and lose sight of the big picture. But that picture matters.

The goal is sustainability. Longevity. Legacy.

Pay Yourself First & Know Your Numbers

That means getting into the habit of paying yourself first.

That means knowing your numbers.

That means studying your industry until you know it inside and out.

If you don’t know where to begin, grab a copy of Profit First by Mike Michalowicz. It’ll teach you how to set your business up so profit is built-in, not an afterthought. This one mindset shift can change how you see money, how you run your business, and how long you last.

This Is Bigger Than Sales

Creative entrepreneurs listen. You weren’t just called to make sales. You were called to build.

Something that serves your people.

Feeds your family.

Leaves a legacy.

That takes strategy. That takes structure. That takes discipline.

So, let me ask you again:

Are you really running a business or are you running a sustainable business?

God Bless The Entrepreneur.