A few weeks ago, during my morning prayer, I had a lightbulb moment—one of those defining thoughts that makes you pause and reflect. The thought that dropped into my mind was this: You started a podcast, but you haven’t started a business yet.

Whoa. That hit me hard.

I had been pouring energy into my podcast, treating it like a business. But the truth? It was just a marketing channel. I hadn’t yet put the actual structure in place to make my business official. That realization helped me understand exactly why I was struggling to launch my service-based business.

If you’re feeling stuck in your business journey, just like I was, I want to share what I learned. Because once I figured out what was holding me back, everything started to change. So, let’s dive in!

Why You’re Struggling to Start Your Business

Let’s get straight to the point: The #1 reason you’re struggling to start your service-based business is that you don’t have a business launch plan.

That’s it. That’s the big secret.

Think about it—when you set out to accomplish anything significant, you create a plan, right? Whether it’s planning a wedding, moving to a new home, or even preparing for a vacation, you list out the steps you need to take. But when it comes to starting a business, so many of us just wing it. And then we wonder why we’re stuck.

In the book of Luke 14:28, Jesus gives us this wisdom: Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? In other words, planning is key! You need to map out the steps required to take your business from an idea in your head to an actual, functioning business.

How to Create a Business Launch Plan (Step-by-Step)

Now that we know what’s been holding us back, the next step is to fix it. And the way to do that is by creating a Business Launch Plan. Here’s how you do it:

1. Start With Your Vision

Before you jump into the nitty-gritty, you need a clear vision for your business. Ask yourself:

• What problem am I solving?
  
• Who am I serving?
  
• What is my long-term goal for this business?
  

For example, my vision is to help Christian women start and grow a profitable and sustainable service-based business. Having this vision written down gives me direction and keeps me focused.

2. Create a Step-By-Step Plan

Your business launch plan needs to have clear, actionable steps. It should outline everything you need to do to get from where you are now to officially launching your business.

Here are some key things to include in your plan:

• Set a launch date (a real one—not just “someday”)
  
• Register your business (LLC, sole proprietorship, or whatever structure fits your needs)
  
• Create your offers/packages (What services will you provide? How will you price them?)
  
• Build your website or landing page
  
• Set up your backend systems (scheduling, invoicing, payment processing, etc.)
  
• Establish a marketing plan (How will people find you? Social media? Networking? Referrals?)
  

Each of these tasks should have a due date to keep you accountable.

3. Set Up an Execution System

A plan is only useful if you actually follow through. So, the next step is to set up a system that ensures you execute your plan consistently.

This can be as simple as setting aside a few hours every day or every week to work on specific tasks from your plan. For example, you might say: Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 AM to 12 PM, I will work on my business launch tasks.

The key is to create a routine that keeps you moving forward.

A Free Tool to Get You Started

If you’re struggling to clarify your vision, I’ve got something for you. I created a Business Vision Blueprint—a simple worksheet with 10 powerful prompts to help you put your thoughts on paper and gain clarity on your business idea.

You can grab your free copy by visiting StartThatBusinessPodcast.com.

This blueprint will help you take all the ideas swirling in your head and organize them in a way that makes sense. It’s like a vision board for your business—without the fancy pictures.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been feeling stuck in your business journey, I want you to know you’re not alone. I’ve been there. But now that you know the missing piece, you can take action today.

To recap:

1. The reason you’re struggling is that you don’t have a business launch plan.
   
2. Your first step is to create a clear vision for your business.
   
3. Then, map out a step-by-step plan to launch.
   
4. Finally, set up an execution system to stay on track.
   

And remember this truth from Proverbs 16:3: Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. If you’re willing to commit to the process and trust God with the journey, you will see progress.

Now, take action! Download the Business Vision Blueprint, create your plan, and start moving toward launching your dream business.

Got value from this post? Share it with a friend who’s been talking about starting a business but hasn’t taken the leap yet. Let’s help each other grow!

Until next time, remember: You have everything you need to start that business!