Over the last three weeks, I’ve been knee-deep in a Marie Kondo-inspired frenzy with a friend decluttering every closet, drawer, and storage bin in my house.
(Yes, even those hiding spots I pretended didn’t exist.) With each bag I filled, I found myself facing a somewhat uncomfortable truth, that every shirt, handbag, unused kitchen gadget, endless stationary items, and countless tech gadgets represented cash I’d parted with. Money that could have been sitting safely in a savings account, ready for a rainy day, or even better, reinvested into growing my business.
As I packed away items that no longer sparked joy, it hit me, businesses often need their own version of a Marie Kondo moment. Like our homes, our businesses accumulate financial clutter, expenses that linger around, unnoticed and unchecked, quietly draining resources without offering real value. This isn’t just about trimming costs; it’s about intentionally deciding what’s truly adding to your business and joyfully letting go of what isn’t.
Take subscriptions, for example. How many times have you signed up for that new must-have business tool, only to use it twice and completely forget it existed? Or consider advertising and events. How often do we pour money into ads and sponsorships without clearly measuring their real ROI or even knowing if they’re truly worthwhile? Or what about the overpriced vendor you keep paying out of habit because, let’s face it, change feels exhausting?
A financial detox involves taking a cold, hard look at your expenses and boldly asking: “Does this truly serve my business growth? Does this expense spark business joy, or is it merely clutter?” If the answer doesn’t come quickly and confidently, friend, it’s time to thank it kindly for its service and let it go.
Here are three simple yet powerful steps for your Business Detox:
- Audit Ruthlessly: List out every single expense. No exceptions. Ask yourself honestly, am I genuinely using this, or is it just a nice-to-have?
- Joy Check: Evaluate if each expense actively contributes to your business goals or your peace of mind as an entrepreneur. If it doesn’t spark “business joy,” reconsider its necessity.
- Strategic Reinvention: Redirect savings from eliminated expenses into meaningful investments, like that rainy-day fund or growth opportunities you’ve been eyeing.
Much like tidying my closets felt liberating, financially detoxing your business isn’t just practical, it’s empowering. It provides clarity, control, and a renewed focus on what genuinely matters.
So, my fellow business owners, I challenge you, is it time your finances experienced the joy-sparking clarity of a Marie Kondo-inspired detox?
Let’s tidy up those financials, and create space for what truly moves your business forward.
Ready, set, detox! 💃🏽
