I was on a coaching call with one of my clients when she said, “Systems eat strategies for breakfast.” I was like, “Hold up what? Say that again!” Man, I thought that was such an amazing title. So today, I want to talk about strategies and systems. Both are important, but they play two distinct roles. The truth is, strategies don’t make any sense without systems because if you have an amazing strategy, you’re going to see the holes where your systems should be.

I remember walking into our first independent Unapologetic®️ building, which I called “the original compound.” It was a huge space in the back about 2,500 square feet. As soon as I walked in, my mind immediately began to create the flow of systems that needed to be put in place. I thought to myself, “The shipping station will go over here, the bags will go here, the shelves will go here, the printing station will go over there, and the transfers will go on this wall that would be a good start.” The photo studio would go on this wall, and we would hang the paper on the wall, so when we’re not using it, the lights can be tucked into the wall to keep that space clear. I also added a folder station for the shirts before they went to the shelves.

Now, it was time to put people into that system. As a shirt got printed, it was folded, then we added a sticker and placed it on the shelf. The inventory was logged into the computer. The desk was set up so that as we pulled the shirt off, we’d grab the bag, stuff it with any cards that needed to go in there, print out the label, add the shipping receipt, and then it went into the USPS mailer bins. We then took those mail bins to the front. We then went into our USPS business account and scheduled a pick-up, and the orders were off to the customers.

There are other systems that go along with this too way too many to name in this blog but that’s the gist of a system. Now let’s talk about strategy.

Both systems and strategies go hand-in-hand. For example, when I bring a model in to take a picture or record a video, I use that content to run an ad. I send out a text message with it and include it in an email sequence. That’s my strategy to drive sales. But here’s the catch: strategies always lead back to more systems. After running that campaign, I can automate the system with more email marketing, more text message marketing, abandoned cart automations I  could go on, but I think you get the picture.

So, what’s the difference? Strategy is the big-picture plan the “what” and “why.” It’s your overall approach to achieving your goals. It’s about deciding what direction you want to go in and how you’ll make things happen. Systems are the actionable steps—the “how” and “when.” Systems are the tools, processes, and structures you put in place to make your strategy come to life. They’re how you turn ideas into action and ensure everything runs efficiently.

Strategies are great, but they mean nothing without systems to execute them. Systems are what keep the wheels turning, day in and day out. And without them, even the best strategy can fall apart.

God Bless The Entrepreneur