If I lost everything and had to start over with a brand-new business today, this is the exact roadmap I’d follow – exactly how to start a business from scratch.

In fact, my husband and I have been working quietly on a new business behind the scenes. And after building three other businesses from the ground up – including my coaching practice and photography brand – we’ve learned what works, what’s a waste of energy, and what actually moves the needle when you’re starting from zero.

Right now, this new business is a massive secret (don’t worry, I’ll come back here and update you when the time is right), but I wanted to write down the process we’re following. If you’re brand new or pivoting into something fresh, this will walk you through the exact steps you need – without the fluff, confusion, or overwhelm.

Let’s dive in.

STEP 1: Define the Offer

Before you build a logo, set up a social media account, or even brainstorm a name, you need a clear offer. What exactly are you selling? Who is it for? What problem does it solve?

Ask yourself:

• Who would LOVE this?
• Is anyone else doing something similar?
• How is yours different?
• What kind of experience would blow your socks off as a customer?

If you’re brand new, some of this will be hard to define – and that’s okay. You don’t need a perfect offer. You just need a starting point. The more specific you can be now, the easier everything else becomes.

And if you’re not new? This is your chance to pack a punch. Your experience gives you an edge here, so lean in!

STEP 2: Understand HOW to Offer It

You’ve got your offer. Now you need the infrastructure. This is the thing business influencers miss the most when teaching you how to start a business from scratch.

How will people find out about it? How will they pay you? How will you deliver it? Do you need any tools, apps, supplies, or platforms to make this happen?

This is where you lay out the logistics and simplify where you can. Don’t go overboard buying tools you don’t need yet. Start lean, start scrappy – but be intentional.

And by the way, you don’t have to start at 100%! A lot of times, we can start lean to offer a lower price point, and then add value to our offers later in order to raise those prices.

Preparation sets the stage for success.

STEP 3: Define the Brand

Here’s where you create the voice, energy, and personality behind your business.

A brand isn’t just colors and logos. It’s the feeling people get when they interact with your business. It’s like your business’s personality: how it speaks, what it values, how it makes people feel, and what it stands for.

Imagine your brand as a person:

• How do they dress?
• What do they talk about?
• How do they make people feel when they enter a room?

This is where we dig into your ideal client, your own values, and how you want to show up in your industry.

➡️ Want a shortcut to creating an intentional brand?
Check out The Intentional Brand Blueprint – my branding course that walks you through building a thoughtful, authentic brand from the ground up. It’s the exact process I use with clients – and just used with our new business idea – to create a brand that connects and converts.

STEP 4: Practice Your Craft

Time to hone your skills. Before charging full price, offer your product or service to a few trusted friends, local businesses, or beta testers. I call this Free for Feedback.

I know, shocking. Sylvia is teaching you how to start a business from scratch, and her advice is “practice the thing.” But there’s more than one good reason for this.

Because feedback = growth. You’ll learn where people get confused, where your process breaks down, and what’s working beautifully.

If you sell a product, this is your time to test the quality, tweak the design, or refine your production process.

Don’t skip this step. It builds confidence AND gives you social proof to share later.

STEP 5: Start Teasing on Socials

You don’t need a full brand launch to start talking about your business.

Once you’re getting close – your offer is defined and you’ve started testing – it’s time to build anticipation.

Create a new Instagram or TikTok account. Start a Facebook page. Add your business to your LinkedIn profile. Then tell your personal network! (And tell them again.)

Don’t feel weird about posting “too much.” People are busy. You’re not annoying them. You’re giving them something exciting to root for.

Start sharing the process, the behind-the-scenes, the values and vision behind your brand. You don’t have to give it all away yet, just start building curiosity and excitement.

STEP 6: Build a Website

This doesn’t need to be fancy. In fact, it can be a single page with your offer, a little about you, and a waitlist form.

A website adds credibility and gives you a place to send people who want to learn more. Think of it as your digital storefront. People are going to Google you, so give them something to land on.

As you grow, you can add more pages, content, or a blog – but to start? Keep it simple and clear.

STEP 7: Build a Waitlist

Want a hot launch? Build a waitlist.

When people join a waitlist, they’re saying, “I’m interested. Tell me more.” That’s marketing gold. You can build hype, gauge interest, and have an audience ready to buy on day one. And that waitlist can be as simple as a Google Form!

It also gives your audience a sense of exclusivity. Make it feel like something special is coming, and they get first dibs.

Pro tip: Offer a small bonus or discount to waitlisters for joining early. It doesn’t have to be huge – it just needs to feel like a perk.

STEP 8: Get Others On Board

The most powerful marketing tool isn’t you – it’s someone else talking about you.

Ask friends and family who’ve seen what you’re working on to share on launch day. Offer free products or services to micro-influencers or well-connected friends in exchange for a post. Reach out to your local paper or community groups.

Word of mouth is still the most trusted marketing out there. Leverage it.

Social proof (other people talking about you) is still the best tool in how to start a business from scratch.

STEP 9: Launch with Support

Launch day! You’ve built anticipation, refined your offer, and gathered your hype team.

Start by launching to your waitlist. Then go public.

And once you launch? KEEP TALKING ABOUT IT. Don’t post once and hope people come running. Talk about your offer every day for 6–12 weeks. Not with spammy “buy now” posts, but with stories, progress, testimonials, behind-the-scenes, and real-time updates.

Worried about sounding salesy? You’re not. You’re passionate. Most people won’t even see all your posts, so keep showing up. Consistency builds trust.

STEP 10: Experiment and Scale

Here’s the truth: your first launch isn’t the finish line – it’s the starting point.

Now you get to play. You get to test, tweak, and try new things. You’ll see what people love, what flops, and where the unexpected magic happens.

Experimenting is how you scale. It’s how you grow beyond the starting line into something sustainable, profitable, and aligned with your goals.

This is the phase where I LOVE to support clients inside my coaching programs, helping you turn your idea into income, refine your strategy, and grow a life-giving business.

➡️ Ready to launch your dream business with clarity and confidence?
Book a free discovery call and let’s build it together.

You don’t need a fancy degree, a giant following, or the perfect idea to start a business. You just need clarity, strategy, and a little bit of courage.

These 10 steps are the same ones I’m using right now behind the scenes – and I’ve seen them work time and time again for my clients and myself.

If you want support creating your offer, building your brand, or launching something incredible, I’d love to help.

Whether you’re figuring out how to start a business from scratch or just pivoting into something brand new, I’ll meet you where you’re at, help you uncover your best ideas, and give you a clear strategy to move forward with purpose.

Your business deserves to be more than a dream. Let’s make it real.