In this episode, I'm getting raw and real about the emotional and challenging side of entrepreneurship that often goes unspoken. Rather than focusing solely on the financials and operations of acquiring a business, I share how purchasing a business dramatically impacted my family life, mental health, and relationships. Drawing from a video I made just four weeks after closing on the business, I recount the pressure of balancing her professional and personal responsibilities, especially as a mother, wife, and homeschool teacher.

Erin opens up about lifelong patterns shaped by her upbringing on a hard-working family farm, her struggles to set boundaries with work, and the effects of stress on her marriage and children. She recounts the stressors that came to a head when her son was suspended from school just as she was finalizing her business acquisition, adding another layer of uncertainty and guilt. Through her vulnerable storytelling, Erin highlights what many entrepreneurs experience behind the scenes: loneliness, regret, juggling too many demands, and the search for balance. The episode ultimately underscores the importance of being honest about the personal costs of entrepreneurship and finding strategies to navigate them.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Buying vs. Starting a Business
• The Impact of Upbringing and Work Addiction
• Personal Patterns & Marital Impact
• Homeschooling and Family Responsibilities
• Overwhelm and Exhaustion
• Health and Self-Care
• Marriage, Support Systems, and Self-Worth
• Breaking Points and Loneliness

This podcast is sponsored by my community, the 1-Hour Marketer - Learn what to focus on in your business and spend just one hour a day, growing it to freedom. Join my FREE masterclass to see how you can go from Confused → Clear → Crushing it!

https://www.eringregor.com/pl/2148134318

In this episode, it's time to pull up my big girl panties and face this unexpected employee departure head-on. Not only was this employee leaving, but he was also planning on starting his own company. Faced with the fact I had no idea what was about to happen, who would exactly stay, how things were going to pan out, all while trying to fill another employee, I detail my decision-making process, strategy for creating a resilient workplace culture, and my plans to fill staffing gaps.

I break down my philosophy on numbers and knowing I was going to have to carry a heavier payroll to get through this whole issue.

I discuss the realities of managing a small team, handling high payroll costs in the grooming industry, and the importance of offering full-time opportunities and a positive environment to attract and retain staff. I also talk about my excitement for putting my marketing knowledge to the test.

This podcast is sponsored by my community, the 1-Hour Marketer - Learn what to focus on in your business and spend just one hour a day, growing it to freedom. Join my FREE masterclass to see how you can go from Confused → Clear → Crushing it!

https://www.eringregor.com/pl/2148134318

Key Topics Discussed:

• Setting financial goals, establishing a positive workplace culture, and balancing profit with employee satisfaction.
• Strategies for bringing on and retaining full-time employees, payroll realities in the grooming industry, and the risk-reward of early investments.
• Tactical marketing: How Erin filled last-minute client gaps and used her previous pet industry experience to fuel growth.
• Navigating industry stereotypes, hiring as a non-groomer, and building trust with potential employees.
• Measuring progress, using historical sales data, and the importance of allowing time to adapt and celebrate small wins.
• Looking ahead: Continuing the journey, sustaining growth, and next steps for the business.

So what happens when you buy a business and within a few weeks of ownership you discover that the thing you feared the most is coming true? Well, you'll get the inside scoop as to what it was like when I found out that was my fate.

It does bring up a curious question of what the seller is obligated to tell you before closing the deal, especially when losing a large number of your clientele could be out the door.

This podcast is sponsored by my community, the 1-Hour Marketer - Learn what to focus on in your business and spend just one hour a day, growing it to freedom. Join my FREE masterclass to see how you can go from Confused → Clear → Crushing it!

https://www.eringregor.com/pl/2148134318

In this episode, I'm talking about the emotional and logistical challenges that I faced when taking over the business. I candidly share my struggles with dependency on my employees, especially given her lack of knowledge about this industry. The fear of my employees potentially leaving and the impact it would have on her business weighs heavily on me, illustrating the common entrepreneur's dilemma of relying heavily on a small team. Despite these challenges, I discuss trying to remain optimistic and begins to develop a strategy for growing my business, setting goals for increasing her revenue and staffing.

I also detail the plans for overcoming certain business hurdles and highlight the planned steps, such as implementing a membership strategy, improving customer reviews, and streamlining operations. These reflections are just about the roller coaster I was riding, and I know I'm not the only one to experience these in my entrepreneurial journey.

This podcast is sponsored by my community, the 1-Hour Marketer - Learn what to focus on in your business and spend just one hour a day, growing it to freedom. Join my FREE masterclass to see how you can go from Confused → Clear → Crushing it!

https://www.eringregor.com/pl/2148134318

In this video, I start to realize what I have done, and it's a complete roller coaster of emotions. Some moments are really exciting, and then others completely freak me out. Nothing is constant!

This is also the first time you'll see some footage of my car thoughts. Raw, real, and sharing what exactly happened and what i was going through. It was at this time, when I literally googled 'How do you get out of a 5 year lease.'

This podcast is sponsored by my community, the 1-Hour Marketer - Learn what to focus on in your business and spend just one hour a day, growing it to freedom. Join my FREE masterclass to see how you can go from Confused → Clear → Crushing it!

https://www.eringregor.com/pl/2148134318

Ready to start using other people's money to fund your dreams?

Well, I finally bit the bullet and took this down my own path, and it has been something. I'm sharing the journey of going down the 100% financing route.

I candidly share her aversion to taking out loans and using other people's money but acknowledge the necessity of doing so for business growth. I also get into my experience with obtaining an SBA loan, highlighting the unexpected complications and red flags she encountered with her loan representative, including unauthorized sharing of her personal financial details and undisclosed loan conditions that almost jeopardized her deal.

I also reflect on the importance of thoroughly reading contracts and exploring multiple financing options before making a decision, emphasizing the lessons learned from her experience, such as building business credit and relationships with financial institutions, which can facilitate better loan opportunities in the future. The episode concludes that despite the hurdles, she successfully completed the loan process without putting liens against her existing business, ultimately achieving a no-money-down acquisition while preserving her assets.

This podcast is sponsored by my community, the 1-Hour Marketer - Learn what to focus on in your business and spend just one hour a day, growing it to freedom. Join my FREE masterclass to see how you can go from Confused → Clear → Crushing it!

https://www.eringregor.com/pl/2148134318

Not only did I want to buy a business, but a business in a totally different industry than I had ever worked.

Spoiler alert: I've had better ideas.

BUT, but, but it has ended up so far all working out, and I'm sharing the entire journey with you. I recorded all kinds of content as I had realizations, lived in some pretty big ups and downs, wished I had never made the move, then feeling extremely grateful I finally took the leap.

If you're interested in the whole process of building or buying businesses, then join me on this journey.

This podcast is sponsored by my community, the 1-Hour Marketer - Learn what to focus on in your business and spend just one hour a day, growing it to freedom. Join my FREE masterclass to see how you can go from Confused → Clear → Crushing it!

https://www.eringregor.com/pl/2148134318