They're baaaack... September 2025 Business Review
September 2025 Business ReviewIf you’re new to these reviews… When I started my business, I promised I’d share the honest, messy behind-the-scenes—what’s working, what’s not, and how it actually feels to build this thing. That includes money, mindset wobbles, little wins, and the real-life stuff that shapes an online business. So I send out a monthly business review: the numbers, my headspace, what I’m celebrating, and what’s next. Because the numbers matter, but they aren’t the whole story. But I haven’t published one of these since February. More on that below. Let’s start off with… The Hard StuffThese reviews usually start with quick wins. But first, let me tell you why they disappeared. Shame. I'm almost at my 4th business birthday, and there's a voice saying I'm failing. That I should be further along, making more, not struggling. Financial survival mode made it impossible to face these reviews, let alone send them. So why now? Not looking hasn't helped. And I know I'm not alone—if you're struggling too, I want you to know you're not either. Business is different in 2025 than it was in 2020/2021. We're all figuring out what that means. Here's what I'm reminding myself: Numbers tell a story. Numbers are neutral. I'm the one giving them meaning. I've always said I want to run my business like an experiment, but I haven't actually been doing that. I got too caught up in what the numbers mean about me. As 2025 comes to a close, I want to make some big shifts. Let go of what needs releasing—thoughts, beliefs, offers. Consider how I want 2026 to feel. And get back to treating this thing like an experiment." Now onto… Quick WinsI'd love to say I have a great list here, but moving-brain ate most of September. Still, a couple things happened…
Capacity CheckThis is a new section. It started because I was job hunting and needed to be strategic with my hours. But after multiple interviews and no offers (and a brutal job market), I'm not holding my breath anymore. I'm also maybe not helping my case by talking about being "basically unemployable" on podcasts. Still, I want to be more strategic with my time. Last month, I spent 11+ hours on content creation—blog posts, podcasts, Instagram, emails, LinkedIn newsletters. That's too much for this business, especially when it's all lumped together. I don't actually know how much time went into emails vs. podcast promotion vs. anything else. If I want numbers to guide my business, I need better numbers. More specific tracking. That's the goal for Q4. The NumbersFor those that have read these reviews before, this section is going to look a little different. Mostly because I’m looking at my numbers differently. Total Hours Worked: 56.33 hrs Effective Hourly Rate (EHR): $17.50/hr (Goal: $65/hr) Owner’s Pay: Shortfall of $4,320.00 (Goal: $5,000) Tax Allocation (25%): $0 (Behind) Net Profit (after pay, taxes, expenses): $-263
Threads
Squarespace Analytics
Top 3 Metrics to Watch in October
Action Plan
The Experiment - OctoberOctober's experiment: Fuck Around Fridays. All those shiny ideas and rabbit holes that derail my week? They now get one dedicated day. If inspiration strikes on Tuesday, I write it down and save it for Friday. The hope: More focus during the week. More intention with what I actually pursue. So that's where I'm at. The numbers aren't where I want them, but I'm finally looking at them again. I'm tracking my time differently. I'm testing Fuck Around Fridays. And I'm trying to remember that experiments don't fail—they just give you data. I don't know what October's numbers will look like, but I'll be here to share them. Second Friday of the month. See you then.
You’re in control of your inbox. Wondering who I am or how you got here? I’m Jacki Hayes, systems strategist for creative service providers. You likely signed up for one of my workshops, resources, or just wanted smarter ways to guide your clients (without duct-taping another system together). If this was forwarded to you, you can subscribe here. Need to update your name or email? You can manage your profile. Want more support? Work with me. Thanks for being here. Really. I acknowledge that I live and operate my business on the traditional, ancestral, unceded land of the Yankton and Báxoje Máyaⁿ (Ioway) peoples. I offer my respect to the elders of these peoples, both past and present, as well as future generations. I recognize that my presence here is the result of the ongoing exclusions and erasure of Indigenous peoples, who were the original stewards of this land, and the violation of multiple treaties. I also reaffirm my commitment to lifting up the cultures and protecting the rights of the Indigenous peoples of Iowa. Two percent of profits are given towards reparations to black and indigenous communities, as well as two percent being donated to causes that support women and the LGBTQ+ community. |
Jacki Hayes
No BS business wisdom, geeky insights, and practical magic. My emails are like grabbing tea with your business-savvy (and slightly nerdy) bestie—expect smart strategies, streamlined systems, and the occasional pop culture reference. Whether I’m helping you simplify your processes, set better boundaries, or just finally get your sh*t together, you’ll walk away with something actionable every time. No fluff, no overwhelm—just real talk, real solutions, and maybe a little chaos (the fun kind).