Practical Wisdom
Advice you can act on this week, grounded in how small businesses actually operate.
Susan Poole
I believe your business should work for you — not the other way around.
Business Coach. Pattern recognizer. Practical thinker.
When you start a business, you usually have a picture in your mind of what success will look like. Maybe it's financial independence. Maybe it's more freedom. Maybe it's the opportunity to build something of your own. Whatever it is, that's your motivation for getting out of bed in the morning. Then reality sets in.
When working harder isn't working
For 12 years, I owned and operated a successful bed and breakfast in Parry Sound, Ontario. It was a business I built from the ground up in a small, seasonal tourism community. And one of the most important things that business taught me was that more revenue isn't always the answer.
By the end of my third year, I was so focused on finding ways to generate income throughout the year that I took on additional work that pushed me beyond what I could reasonably manage. Eventually, I became seriously ill and spent almost a month in bed. That's when I decided to look at myself the way I would look at an employee who was overwhelmed by their job.
I hired help. I became much more selective about the customers I served. I learned to say no when someone wasn't a good fit. The business became more profitable — and I became a much happier business owner.
I understand the environment smaller and regional businesses operate in
My experience wasn't just about running a hospitality business. It was about learning how to build and adapt a business in a community where relationships matter, reputation travels quickly, resources are limited and the economic environment can change with the seasons.
A business doesn't exist in isolation from the community around it. Your reputation matters. Your relationships matter. And sometimes the best business decision isn't the one that generates revenue today.
Your definition of success comes first
One of the first questions I ask a business owner is: What did you originally want this business to give you? I ask because that original vision often gets lost. So before we decide what needs to change, I want to understand what success means to you.
Why I do this work
I've been the person trying to figure out how to make a business work. I've experienced the pressure of seasonality, the importance of reputation, the value of local relationships, and the temptation to chase revenue simply because it's there. That's the perspective I bring to my work today. My role is to help you build a business that supports the life you want to live — not one that takes it over.
Warm but Structured
Kind conversation with a clear shape, so every session ends somewhere useful.
Collaborative Thinking
You know your business best. Susan helps you hear your own thinking more clearly.
"Helping people figure out what works for their business."