Starting or growing a business rarely happens in giant leaps. More often, it’s a series of small, intentional steps that add up over time.

From the outside, it might look like someone’s business took off overnight.

But if you dig deeper, you’ll usually find years of experimenting, changing directions, and doing the unglamorous day-to-day work that slowly builds momentum.

I’ve lived this lesson firsthand, and I want to share it with you—not because my path is special, but because it’s proof that progress comes from small steps you take consistently.

Letting Go to Move Forward

Back in 2018, I made the tough choice to close my first bookkeeping business, Primarily Bookkeeping.

It wasn’t working the way I hoped, and I found myself at a crossroads.

For a brief moment, I even considered becoming a Virtual Assistant.

The idea didn’t last long, though. I knew deep down it wasn’t my calling. (Side note: I have incredible respect for VAs—my own VA, Jess, is fantastic at her work. But I couldn’t picture myself thriving in that role.)

That left me with a blank slate. And that’s when Gentle Frog was born.

At first, Gentle Frog was just a name and an idea. By the end of 2018, I had an epiphany: I would focus on bookkeeping training.

The only problem? No one knew about it yet.

The Reality of Slow Growth

If you’ve ever launched a business, you know the early days can be discouraging. You’re full of energy and ideas, but the phone doesn’t ring.

Your inbox is empty.

You wonder if you’ve made a mistake.

That was me in 2019.

To make ends meet, I took on side jobs, including helping a friend with a photoshoot for a casino hotel.

It wasn’t glamorous, but it kept me busy and reminded me that every step, even side steps, could teach me something useful.

By fall of 2020, I was feeling restless again.

I took a six-week trip to Korea, hoping to recharge. Instead, I realized just how invisible my business was.

No clients reached out. No one noticed I was gone.

That was a wake-up call.

Changing Directions Without Giving Up

It would have been easy to walk away. I seriously thought about finding a “real job.”

Instead of giving up completely, I made a different choice: to take another small step forward.

My family and I decided to move to Canada, and in February 2021, I started working for a Canadian bookkeeping firm.

For over a year, I learned, grew, and experienced the industry from a new perspective.

Eventually, I returned to Gentle Frog, this time with more confidence, clarity, and a team by my side.

But business journeys are rarely straight lines. Over the past few years, my frustration with Intuit/QuickBooks grew to the point where I knew I needed another change.

After helping thousands of business owners and bookkeepers through Gentle Frog, I decided to step back from running my own business full-time.

Now, I’ve joined Blue Magnolia Consulting. With Blue Magnolia, I get to focus on what I love most: training, clean-up projects, and helping clients feel confident about their books, without the constant frustration of trying to manage everything on my own.

Gentle Frog Today

Even though my main focus is with Blue Magnolia, Gentle Frog is still here. You can still book QuickBooks Online or bookkeeping training sessions with me at gentlefrog.com/training.

Through Blue Magnolia, I’m also able to work on bookkeeping clean-up projects and training engagements. For me, it’s the best of both worlds: I can continue doing the work I love, while also being part of a supportive team.

Why Small Steps Matter

When you look at any successful business, it’s easy to assume it was all part of a perfect plan. But in reality, progress is often messy.

Here’s what small steps can do for you:

• Reduce overwhelm – Instead of trying to do everything at once, you make progress piece by piece.

• Build momentum – Each small win gives you the energy to keep going.

• Allow flexibility – Small steps let you adjust your path as you learn what works and what doesn’t.

• Create staying power – Businesses built slowly and thoughtfully tend to last longer because their foundations are stronger.

Doubts Are Normal

Even now, there are days when I wonder:

• Should I take on more bookkeeping clients?

• Should I shift my focus entirely to training?

• Is my business really growing, or am I just spinning my wheels?

If you’ve ever asked yourself similar questions, know that you’re not alone. Doubt is part of the process. The key is to look at the evidence, not just your feelings.

What This Means for You

Your business may look completely different from mine. Maybe you’re just starting out. Maybe you’ve been at it for years but are considering a pivot. Or maybe you’re somewhere in between.

Wherever you are, here’s the takeaway:

Don’t discount small steps.

The email you send today, the networking event you attend, the decision to take on a small client project, all of those actions add up.

You might not see the impact tomorrow or next week, but over months and years, they can completely transform your business.

Final Thoughts

Gentle Frog today looks nothing like it did in 2018. And honestly, neither do I.

My journey has included plenty of pivots: closing one business, launching another, moving countries, working with different firms, and now partnering with Blue Magnolia.

If you’re in the messy middle of building your business, take heart. The grind doesn’t have to define you.

Small, consistent steps will get you where you want to go.

And remember, you don’t have to do it alone. Surround yourself with people who support you, focus on the parts of your business that make you happiest, and trust the process.

Because small steps really do lead to big leaps.