Today, we’re diving into what to do when your business is bringing in only a small amount of income—what to focus on, what numbers to track, and how to push past the frustration that naturally comes with slower seasons.
First, let me just say this: you are not alone. Learning what to focus on is a skill but you can perfect this so slow seasons don’t derail your mindset and your business goals.
Every business owner—yes, every single one—has been through a phase where the income wasn’t matching the effort. Whether it’s the early days or just a rough patch, it’s completely normal. There is nothing wrong with you.
Let’s talk about how to make the most of this season and what to focus on—without staying stuck in self-pity (because, wow, that’s easy to do!).
Step 1: Shift Your Money Mindset
When business is slow, the very first thing to check in on is your money mindset.
It’s okay to feel anxious, discouraged, or frustrated. I’ve been there too. But when you stay stuck in those emotions, it’s easy to slip into desperation mode when talking to potential clients—and that energy comes through loud and clear.
Instead, pause and look at the thoughts you’re having around money and your business. Where are you limiting yourself? Where can you reframe discouragement into opportunity?
And remember:
Every business starts at $0.
Everyone begins with just a handful of sales. You are not behind.
And if your life’s been busy or unpredictable lately (hello—new baby, a move, health issues?), it’s okay to acknowledge those interruptions and still choose to reset your mindset and keep moving forward.
Step 2: Prioritize Your Spending
When your income is minimal, focus on getting very clear about where your money is going.
One of the best things I’ve done during slow seasons is make a “Must Have vs. Nice to Have” list. I’m a pen-and-paper girl, so I literally write it out. There’s something about seeing it in black and white that helps me make better decisions.
Ask yourself:
- What will truly help me grow right now?
- What will directly support income-producing activities?
- What can wait?
It’s easy to fall into the trap of buying tools, courses, or subscriptions because they seem helpful—but not everything is essential when you’re trying to keep your business lean.
Survival in these slower seasons depends on your ability to prioritize what moves the needle and set aside the rest. You don’t everything at once.
I recently had a friend call me out (in the best way) while I was venting about all the little things I hadn’t completed yet in my business. She said, “That’s not income-producing—table that for now.” And she was right.
When time is limited and your income isn’t where you want it to be, you have to be laser-focused on what actually moves the needle. That conversation was a wake-up call—and if you’re reading this, you know who you are. Thank you!
In today’s online business world, we’re constantly being sold to. We sign up for free challenges that turn into pitches. We see ads for courses, tools, and masterminds—sometimes all at once. Just recently, I had three major programs pitched to me in the same week!
It’s overwhelming. And here’s the truth: you don’t need all the things. In fact, you can’t focus on all the things at the same time. You can’t fully devote your energy to marketing, sales, systems, money, and growth strategies all at once. You need to master one thing at a time, then move on to the next.
How do you actually prioritize spending? If this feels tough, you’re not alone. Prioritizing your spending when money is tight sounds simple… but it’s hard to do in real life.
- If you’re struggling with this, my mini-course on budgeting walks you through exactly how to:
- Identify what’s truly worth investing in this year
- Separate “wishlist” items from “must-haves”
- Map out your income expectations so you can plan more realistically
Decide Where You Can DIY (for Now)
When income is low, one of the best strategies is to DIY wherever you can—temporarily. If you’re anything like me, you may already be a DIY-er at heart. So ask yourself:
- Can I build a good enough website with a template or a course instead of hiring it out?
- Do I really need the premium subscription right now, or is there a free version that will work just fine?
A friend of mine just switched from Zoom to Google Meet to cut costs—and it’s those little adjustments that really add up. If you don’t have $5,000 to drop on branding, no worries. Create a simplified version for now. Give yourself permission to use lower-cost options, free trials, or scaled-back tools just for this season.
Saving strategically now can give you the financial breathing room to invest wisely later.
Step 3: Cut What’s Not Necessary
If it’s not necessary, let it go—especially subscriptions. Focus on what you are actually using regularly.
This is something we dive into inside the mini budgeting course, and it’s incredibly eye-opening. One of the exercises is to simply write out every subscription you’re paying for. Seeing it on paper can be a game-changer.
I had a client do this and she realized she was spending over $100/month on subscriptions she didn’t even use or remember signing up for. That’s real money going out the door every single month.
So do a quick audit:
- What are you paying for that you don’t actually need?
- Can you downgrade, switch to a free plan, or cancel altogether?
Even small changes add up quickly—especially in a season where every dollar counts.
Step 4: Look for Quick Cash Wins
Yes, cutting expenses is smart. But we also need to ask: What can I do to bring in more money right now? That is a big thing you’ll want to focus on.
It doesn’t always have to be a long-term strategy. Sometimes, you just need a quick cash infusion to build momentum and reduce stress. So think about:
- What’s something easy to sell to people who already know and trust you?
- Could you offer a service you don’t normally provide—just to a small group of clients—to boost revenue?
Get creative. These quick wins aren’t about building a forever business model—they’re about creating breathing room right now so you can keep going.
Step 5: Don’t Ignore Your Bookkeeping (Even Now)
This is not the time to ignore your numbers. In fact, this is when it’s most important to stay on top of your bookkeeping.
You need to know:
- What’s coming in
- What’s going out
- What patterns you’re seeing in your money
It’s tempting to assume you know where your money is going—but unless you’re looking at the actual numbers, you’re likely missing things.
And here’s the thing: when your business starts to pick up (and it will), you’ll already have the systems and habits in place. It’s so much easier to build these routines now—when transactions are fewer—than to scramble and get overwhelmed when things get busier.
So start small:
- Set a routine for checking your books
- Make sure your system is working for you (not against you)
- And stick with it—even if income is light right now
It’ll make everything smoother, easier, and less stressful as your business grows. Here’s a quick breakdown of what we covered:
- Shift Your Money Mindset – Start by paying attention to what you’re thinking about when it comes to money and sales. Your mindset shapes your actions—and your results.
- Prioritize Your Spending – When money’s tight, not every shiny thing deserves your dollars. Get clear on what’s essential and what can wait.
- DIY What You Can for a Season – You don’t need the $5K brand package right now. Look for ways to get scrappy, simplify, and do it yourself—just for this season.
- Find Quick Ways to Boost Cash – What’s something you can offer right now to generate income fast? Even small wins can build momentum and confidence.
- Keep Up with Your Bookkeeping – Now is not the time to ignore your numbers. Create a simple routine to track what’s coming in and going out. It’ll make things so much easier when your business grows.
If you’re feeling stressed about money right now—you’re not alone. I’ve been there too. But I want you to remember: There is plenty of business out there. Your best clients are still looking for you. This phase doesn’t define you—it’s just a season.
So take a deep breath, focus on these steps, and know that this isn’t where your story ends. It’s where your next chapter begins—with smart, intentional money moves. You’ve got this. If you need help, I’m here for you! Reach out!
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