Why Every Small Business Owner Should Start with a Minimum Viable Income 
For many aspiring entrepreneurs, launching a business is fueled by passion, purpose, and the dream of independence. But somewhere between that dream and sustainability lies a crucial but often overlooked concept: the Minimum Viable Income (MVI). 
Just as a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) helps test and validate a product idea with minimal resources, Minimum Viable Income is the baseline monthly income a business owner needs to cover personal and essential business expenses. Understanding and building toward your MVI early on is a strategic move that can determine whether your business survives—and thrives. 

Starting a small business is a huge leap, and one of the most crucial factors that can determine your success is whether there’s real demand for what you’re offering. After all, no matter how passionate or skilled you are, if there’s no market for your product or service, it can be challenging to thrive. Proof of demand is the foundation that validates your business idea and gives you the confidence to move forward.
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But how do you prove demand for your product or service before launching? Here are several ways to validate demand for your small business:

Running your own business as a sole proprietor is exciting, but tax season can feel overwhelming—especially if you’re handling everything on your own. The good news? With a little organization and the right knowledge, you can confidently manage your tax obligations and even find ways to save money.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your tax strategy, this guide will help you understand the essentials of taxes as a sole proprietor so you can focus on growing your business.

Whether you have been in business for a while or are just starting, I would like to give you permission to do it your own way. ​

I always say there are many right ways to run a business. Most of us leave our 9-5s so that no one is telling us what to do, only to find ourselves working 24/7 and, more than ever, facing the pressure to do what everyone thinks we should be doing. 
You should be on TikTok.
You should invest a lot of money in your business.
You should write a business plan.
You should charge less. 
You should incorporate right away. 
You should hire people. 
You should grow and scale quickly.
And on and on… 
The truth is you get to do it the way that is aligned for you. There are MANY right ways to run your business. 
For many years, I taught sourdough workshops and everyone, literally everyone, said, “You should open your own bakery.” 
I loved teaching people bread making, working with small groups of customers, running workshops when it worked for my schedule, and being able to pop up in different spaces. But a bakery is a very different business model where you wake up every morning at 3AM, have employees, a commercial lease, a store to keep open and running all year long, and you need 100+ customers daily to make it all work. 
Don’t be afraid to tell people no. They don’t have to live with the daily reality of the work that their suggestion might mean. And if it doesn’t light you up, don’t do it. You have permission to do it your way. 
Don’t want to grow and have employees? I get it. 
Not into dancing on TikTok? I also refuse. 
Not ready to take out a loan for your business? That’s fine!
Want to be more available for your family? More power to you!
What are you doing in your business because someone else thinks you should be? Maybe it’s your accountant, a trusted friend, or a family member; perhaps it’s internalized social pressure. Please note where it comes from and learn to say no to things that don’t align with your values and carve out your own way.
You have permission to do it your own way.