poquillo™

¡Hola, friend! Grab your cafecito because we need to talk about something that might sound boring but is actually life-changing – building a business that doesn’t need YOU to survive. ☕

Why I Keep Coming Back to This Book

Okay, so I read “Built to Sell” by John Warrillow last year, and I STILL think about it all the time. Like, it’s one of those books that keeps popping into my head whenever I’m working with clients or planning my own business moves. 🤯

You know how some lessons need time to marinate? This book is like that perfect mole recipe – it gets better the more you let it sink in.

Here’s the thing: You should run your business like it’ll last forever, BUT also build it so you could sell it tomorrow if you wanted to. Even if selling is the last thing on your mind right now!

Why? Because a sellable business = a business that runs without you being there 24/7. And who doesn’t want that freedom, right?

The Big Aha Moment: Stop Being Everything to Everyone

Remember when your tía tried to sell tamales AND fix computers AND do taxes all from her living room? Yeah, that didn’t work out so great.

The book’s first big lesson hit me hard: Don’t generalize; specialize.

Instead of being “okay” at 20 things, be AMAZING at one thing. Like, imagine if you only made the world’s best elote instead of trying to run a whole restaurant. You’d have lines around the block!

Let Me Break Down the Game-Changing Tips (En Español: The Good Stuff!)

1. The “No More Than 15%” Rule

Never let one client be more than 15% of your money. I learned this the hard way when my biggest client disappeared overnight. Ay, Dios mío, that was rough!

Your tiny step: Look at your income right now. Is one person or company giving you most of it? Time to find more customers, friend.

2. Create Your “Secret Recipe” Process

The book talks about a 5-step logo design process, but think bigger! What’s YOUR secret recipe?

Maybe it’s:

• Your 3-step method for organizing someone’s whole life
• Your special way of teaching kids English
• Your unique process for making wedding cakes

Make it simple: Write down exactly how you do your best work. Every. Single. Step. Like you’re teaching your primo who knows nothing about your business.

3. Get Paid BEFORE You Work (Revolutionary, I Know!)

This one made me laugh because it’s so obvious but we never do it! Once you have your process down, charge upfront. No more chasing payments like you’re a bill collector!

Think about Netflix – they don’t wait until after you watch shows to charge you, verdad?

4. Learn to Say “No” (The Hardest Word in Business)

Every time you say no to work that’s not your specialty, you’ll get MORE referrals for the thing you’re actually good at. It’s like magic, but real!

When someone asks me to do their taxes now, I say: “I don’t do that, but let me connect you with my friend who’s amazing at it!” Guess what? They remember me and send me people who need what I DO offer.

5. Build an Instruction Manual (Your Business Bible)

Write down everything like you’re going on vacation for a month. How would someone else run your business?

I started with sticky notes – one task per note. Now I have a whole system that my virtual assistant can follow sin problema!

The Money Part (Because We Need to Talk Numbers)

Small businesses usually sell for 3-4 times their yearly profit. So if you make $100K profit per year, your business might be worth $300-400K.

But here’s the kicker – that’s ONLY if it can run without you!

Your 3-Step Action Plan (Starting Today!)

Step 1: Pick Your ONE Thing

What’s the one service you could do in your sleep? The thing people already come to you for? That’s your starting point.

Step 2: Create Your Signature Process

Break down how you do that one thing into 3-7 steps. Give it a fancy name if you want! Mine is the “Recovered Bottleneck Method™” (fancy, no? 😄)

Step 3: Find Your First 10 Guinea Pigs

Tell 10 people about your new specialized service. Not to sell them – just to practice explaining it. Their reactions will teach you everything!

The Real Talk Section

Look, transforming from a “I-do-everything” business to a specialized, sellable business is HARD. You might make less money at first. Some clients will leave. Your family might think you’re loco for turning down work.

But imagine this: A business that runs while you’re at the beach. A company someone would actually want to buy. Work that doesn’t depend on YOU being there every single day.

¿Doesn’t that sound worth it?

One Last Thing (This Is Important!)

The book says something beautiful: Build a business that could sell, even if you never plan to. Because that kind of business gives you choices. And choices, mi amigo, equal freedom.

Start with ONE thing from this post. Just one. Maybe it’s writing down your process, or saying no to one project that’s not your specialty, or calculating if one client is more than 15% of your income.

Whatever you choose, remember: You’re not just building a business. You’re building your freedom, one small step at a time.

¿Your Turn!

What’s the ONE thing you’re going to specialize in? Hit reply and tell me – I’d love to cheer you on!

Remember, even Starbucks started with just coffee. Look at them now! ☕✨

Con cariño y café,
Gaby