What I’d Do Differently If I Started My Business Again Today
Looking Back: The Power of Hindsight in Business
If you're in the early stages of growing a local service business—whether it’s lawn care, pest control, or Christmas lighting—you're probably wearing every hat and grinding every day just to keep the wheels turning.
I get it. I’ve been there.
As the founder of Blue Duck Lawn Care and a few other Indiana-based brands, I’ve learned a lot the hard way. We’ve grown, failed, restructured, and scaled again. Looking back, there are several things I’d do differently if I could start all over today—and if you’re just beginning your journey, you can learn from my hindsight.
Here’s what I would change if I started my service business again today.
1. I Would Start With Systems—Not Sweat
When I started out, hustle was everything. I thought working 80 hours a week would eventually buy me freedom.
What I learned: Hustle without systems leads to burnout, not growth.
If I could go back, I would’ve built Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) from day one—even if I was the only employee. Systems are what allow you to scale and step back.
Tip: Document everything you do more than once. It’s not a waste of time—it’s buying your future freedom.
2. I’d Invest in Brand, Not Just a Logo
I used to think branding was a nice truck wrap and a clean website. But true branding is about how people feel when they think of your business.
What I’d do differently:
I’d define our mission, values, and unique customer experience from the very beginning—and make sure every employee lived them out.
A trusted brand wins even when it’s not the cheapest. It keeps customers coming back and team members proud to wear your logo.
3. I’d Hire Sooner—And Smarter
I waited too long to delegate. Then, when I did start hiring, I hired fast and without a clear process.
What I’d do now:
Build a hiring funnel. Define what a great employee looks like in your business and train them intentionally. I’d prioritize people who align with my company culture—not just those with experience.
Great businesses are built by great people—not just hard work.
4. I’d Charge More (and Sooner)
Like most startups, I underpriced everything at first. I was afraid of losing leads.
But here’s the truth: cheap pricing attracts difficult customers and razor-thin margins.
If I started again, I’d charge based on the value we deliver and the experience we provide. That confidence sets the tone for growth, retention, and profit.
5. I’d Build with the End in Mind
I wasn’t thinking about an exit, scaling, or franchising in year one—I just wanted to survive. But that mindset limited my decisions.
If I could rewind the clock, I’d ask myself, “What kind of business do I want in five years?”—and build that from the beginning.
Structure. Vision. Long-term thinking. That’s how you scale without burning out.
Final Thoughts: It’s Never Too Late to Pivot
If you’re already deep in the business grind, don’t worry—it’s never too late to reset, restructure, and rebuild smarter.
The key is knowing that every mistake is a lesson. And every lesson can fuel your growth.
Want help getting unstuck, scaling smart, or building a brand with systems and purpose?
Contact CrazyPivot today—let’s build a business that doesn’t just survive… it thrives.
