Hey, friends!

It’s a brand-new year, and I couldn’t be more excited to share Episode 6 of The Business Vault: Your New Era of Success.

In this episode, we’re talking about fresh starts, reflecting on the lessons of the past, and setting yourself up for a future you’re excited about—not just for the next 12 months, but for the whole next era of your life. I share some of my wins (and the struggles too), plus tips to clear the mental clutter and tackle fear head-on.

I’ve also put together a free Your New Era Playbook to help you take the first steps toward your dreams. You can grab it here: Download the playbook.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Your New Era Playbook: Download Here
• Mel Robbins: How to Make This Your Best Year Yet: Watch here
• Struthless: How to Actually Review Your 2024: Watch here

This is your sign to take a deep breath, let go of what’s holding you back, and step boldly into your next chapter. Let’s do this together! 💛

Hey friend! This week on The Business Vault, I’m diving into a topic that’s close to my heart: managing expectations, fostering communication, and navigating relationships as a business owner. Whether it’s learning to set realistic goals for yourself, having those tough but honest conversations with your partner, or setting boundaries with friends and family, I’m sharing my personal experiences and actionable advice to help you build a business that works for you.

Let’s talk about the power of communication and how it can transform your relationships—both in life and business. Trust me, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss!

• Opening Reflection
  Recap of the previous episode and a listener story that sparked today’s topic.
• 02:00 The Reality of Business Expectations
  Why balancing entrepreneurship with personal and financial responsibilities is critical.
• 05:00 High Expectations vs. Realistic Goals
  Managing self-expectations and learning to spark joy through small wins.
• 08:00 Business and Personal Relationships
  The dynamics of being a business owner in a intimate relationship
• 12:00 Communication as a Superpower
  How open communication can transform relationships with partners, clients, and yourself.
• 19:00 The Friends and Family Trap - Being there for the Discount
  Setting boundaries and dealing with “mates’ rates.”
• 26:00 Building Resilient Relationships
  Practical tips for fostering understanding and support in your ecosystem.
• 35:00 Final Takeaways
  Checking in with yourself, setting boundaries, and crafting a harmonious life.

In this episode of The Business Vault, Paige dives into the often-overlooked realities of the financial, time, and energy investments required to launch a business. From the hidden costs of starting as a sole trader to the misconceptions about "free" resources like websites and design tools, she breaks down what it really takes to turn your dream into a reality.

Paige shares practical tips on budgeting, DIYing versus outsourcing, and why understanding your Return on Investment (ROI) is essential for long-term success. You'll also learn about critical costs like branding, business registrations, technology, and even the recurring expenses that can sneak up on you.

Whether you're bootstrapping or ready to invest, this episode is packed with honest insights and actionable advice to set you on the right path. Tune in to discover how to navigate the costs and make your business startup journey a successful one.

Episode Highlights:

• Three Currencies in Business: Money, Time, and Impact—why time is often undervalued but critical to success.
• "Free" Isn’t Free: The truth behind free websites and tools, and why they may cost you more in the long run.
• DIY vs. Outsourcing: How to balance saving money with investing in professional expertise.
• Hidden Costs to Watch: Insurance, currency conversion fees, payment processing, and branding materials.
• Realistic Start-Up Budgets: Why $2,000 is a reasonable baseline for operational setup—and what that covers.

Favorite Quotes:

• "You've got to spend money to make money—business isn't built on zero dollars or zero effort."
• "Time equals money. The time you invest in your business should generate a return—don’t undervalue it."
• "Trying to get everything for free often costs you more in the long run. Think beyond the fine print."
• "A logo isn’t a brand—it’s just one piece of a much bigger picture that builds trust with your audience."
• "DIY saves money but costs time. Outsourcing costs money but saves time. The key is knowing when to do each."

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction
  
  

• 02:00 The Myths of "Free" Business Startups
  
  

• 04:00 Time & Money: The Business Currencies
  
  

• 06:00 Startup Costs: Sole Traders vs. Companies
  
  

• 08:00 Websites & Domains: The Truth About Costs
  
  

• 14:00 Insurance: A Must-Have Investment
  
  

• 16:00 Subscriptions, Fees, and Currency Conversions
  
  

• 18:00 Branding & Marketing: Building a Trustworthy Image
  
  

• 23:00 DIY vs. Outsourcing: Cost vs. Time Trade-offs
  
  

• 26:00 Operational Costs: From Tech to Payment Processing
  
  

• 29:00 Realistic Budgets for Startups
  
  

• 31:00 Wrapping Up & What’s Next