Our entrepreneurial and small business journey began long before we officially launched our first business. My husband and I had many dreams—things we both felt called to pursue—even though he had a fulfilling career and I was already a busy homeschooling mom. Joe had already gained significant business experience, including executive roles, as well as professional training in the field he would eventually build his business around. For a time, however, we remained in a holding pattern. After attending a retreat that challenged us to focus intentionally, we finally took the leap in 2008.

While some people seem to have a natural instinct for business, most of us benefit from clear direction and wise counsel along the way. Building something meaningful requires focus, sound decision-making, and the humility to recognize what we don’t yet know. Over the years, we’ve developed a number of practices that have helped our businesses thrive. Some of these are principles we’re glad to share directly, while others are best learned from talented entrepreneurs and experienced business leaders we respect. In those cases, we’ll gladly point you toward the people and resources that have helped shape our own journey.