When you think of business success, what comes to mind? For many people, it’s growth:
- More clients
- More employees
- More revenue
- More… everything
But what if “more” isn’t the right answer for you?
That’s the lesson I keep coming back to, and it’s something I want to share with you today: the idea of right-sizing your business.
What Does “Right-Sizing” Mean?
“Right-sizing” is about creating a business that truly fits your life.
Not one that looks impressive on the outside but feels heavy and overwhelming on the inside.
One of my favorite author/entrepreneurs Leonie Dawson wrote about this idea, sharing how her dream of being a creative slowly turned into a CEO role she didn’t want. She built something big, but it didn’t fit her joy, her family, or her vision.
That hit home for me. Maybe it hits home for you, too.
The Growth Trap
I’ve built two bookkeeping firms that grew larger than I ever imagined.
On paper, they were “successful.”
But here’s the truth: success doesn’t always feel the way you think it will.
Growth comes with trade-offs.
- More employees mean more management.
- More clients mean more systems.
- More complexity often means less of the work you love.
It’s easy to get caught in the hamster wheel of bigger = better.
Coaches, peers, and even social media can make it seem like the only way forward is to keep scaling. But scaling isn’t the goal for everyone.
My “Right-Sizing” Moment
For years, I leaned on robust systems like Zoho CRM and Zoho One to run my firms.
These tools were powerful. We used them for:
Managing task lists
Building internal documentation
Tracking leads and conversions
They were a Swiss Army knife for running the day-to-day.
But here’s what I realized: just because you can make something complex doesn’t mean you should.
When I stepped back, I asked myself: do I really want to be a CEO of a growing empire, or do I want a business that gives me freedom, joy, and the chance to work directly with people?
That’s when I made the shift.
I traded complexity for simplicity.
I built a dashboard in Google Sheets that pulls filtered data from Stripe, Acuity, and QuickBooks.
Now I track only what really matters: lead sources, revenue per source, and close ratios.
Yes, a CRM could do it. But I wanted something lean and transparent.
Something that keeps me connected to my numbers without weighing me down.
Why Right-Sizing Matters
When you “right-size” your business, you gain:
Clarity – You focus on the metrics and tasks that actually matter.
Energy – You stop pouring yourself into managing tools, systems, or staff that drain you.
Joy – You get back to the work that lights you up.
Balance – You build something sustainable for both your business and your personal life.
The truth is, growth isn’t wrong. But growth at all costs? That can leave you with a business that doesn’t feel like yours anymore.
Signs You Might Need to Right-Size
You don’t have to wait until burnout hits to rethink things. Here are a few signals that your business might not fit you anymore:
You spend more time managing tools, systems, or staff than doing the work you love.
Success feels heavy instead of exciting.
You find yourself daydreaming about “quieter” work or fewer moving parts.
You’re constantly exhausted, even though your revenue looks good.
You catch yourself saying, “Once I get through this busy season, then I’ll slow down,” but that moment never comes.
If any of these sound familiar, it might be time to step back and ask: What size and shape of business really fits me right now?
A Personal Note
As I’ve shared before, my path hasn’t been a straight line.
I built, scaled, and restructured. I even fell into the “growth trap” more than once.
Choosing to right-size gave me back my joy.
Today, I work for Blue Magnolia Consulting and keep Gentle Frog for courses and generating leads.
I focus on training and projects that excite me.
It’s a balance that feels good, instead of an empire that feels like too much.
I’ve stopped chasing “bigger.” Now I’m chasing “better for me.”
And honestly? That’s been far more rewarding.
The Power of Letting Go
One of the hardest parts of right-sizing is letting go. Letting go of tools, staff, or even long-time ways of doing things. For me, it meant saying goodbye to Zoho One after years of building it into my systems. It also meant preparing for my amazing assistant Nena to move on, after nearly a decade together.
Change is hard. But sometimes, it’s exactly what you need.
How You Can Right-Size
If you’re wondering whether right-sizing could help you, here’s a process you can try:
Reflect – Ask yourself what you really want your work and life to look like. Write it down.
Evaluate – Look at your current systems, client load, and team size. Do they align with what you want?
Simplify – Identify areas where you can reduce complexity. Maybe you don’t need three project management tools. Maybe fewer clients at higher rates would be a better fit.
Experiment – Try working smaller or differently for a season. Track how it feels.
Adjust – Keep what works. Release what doesn’t.
It’s not about getting it “perfect.” It’s about moving toward a business that fits you instead of fighting against you.
Learn from Others
If you want more inspiration, I can’t recommend Leonie Dawson enough. Her website is full of practical advice for creatives and entrepreneurs looking to build businesses that actually feel good.
Her work has inspired me to keep asking: Is this business still fitting me, or am I fitting myself into something that isn’t mine anymore?
That’s a question worth asking again and again.
Final Thoughts
Right-sizing isn’t about giving up. It’s about stepping into a version of success that actually makes sense for you.
Whether you’re a bookkeeper, a creative, or a small business owner in another field, the same truth applies: bigger isn’t always better.
Sometimes smaller, simpler, and more intentional is the real win.
So if you’re tired, overwhelmed, or just feeling disconnected from your business, I invite you to pause. Reflect. And maybe, just maybe, start the process of right-sizing your business.
Because the best business isn’t the biggest one. It’s the one that fits you.
