Ep 309: This makes you money fast - for small business owners

The secret to business success has always felt a little slippery, especially when you’re just starting out. Everyone says things like “follow the money,” but after 20+ years of building multiple businesses, I’ve found something far more reliable: follow the energy.

This one mindset shift changes everything about how you approach strategy, and it almost always leads to greater profitability.

When I say energy, I mean the momentum, curiosity, and buzz around certain markets, products, or services. You know that gut feeling you get when something is taking off or shifting? That’s the kind of energy I’ve learned to notice and follow.

Looking back, every pivot in my career has come from paying attention to energy. In 2003, I caught the wave of online retail when Amazon was still mostly about books—I took my gift boutique online. Later, customers kept asking for college-themed baby products, so I opened a whole second boutique just for that. When digital photography started changing everything in portraits, I jumped in and added photography services. And in 2019, I leaned into the buzz around podcasting and online learning—thinking I was “late” to the game (only to realize 2020 was about to change everything).

That’s the beauty of this approach: it keeps you adaptable. Right now, I’m noticing energy around local, in-person community events—people are craving connection again. I see it firsthand in the explosion of pickleball clubs. I’m also seeing momentum in areas like specialized care services, kids’ transportation solutions, and health-focused offerings as more people face autoimmune and chronic conditions.

Following energy doesn’t box you into one model or one income stream. You can build multiple revenue paths by leaning into different areas of momentum. And when the energy dies down in one area, you pivot to where it’s building. That freedom is priceless.

If you’re eyeing more traditional ideas, like starting an online gift boutique, know that the energy has shifted. Today it’s about omni-channel and branded products, not simply reselling. Same thing with coaching: five years ago there was massive energy around it, but now it takes a lot more differentiation and visibility—local presence, or a strong platform like YouTube or podcasting.

So here’s my challenge for you: take a quiet moment with a coffee or go for a walk and ask yourself—where is the energy flowing around me? What shifts do I see happening? What problems are people vocal about solving? Your answers will point you toward your next opportunity.

Because here’s the truth: business is evolving faster than ever. AI alone is reshaping entire industries. The entrepreneurs who thrive are the ones who can sense and follow energy, adjusting as the market changes. That’s not a weakness—it’s your competitive advantage.