Why Running a Business is Really Hard Work: The Myth of Quick Fixes and Magic Formulas

Good Morning Everyone!

I’m going to jump straight in this week….running a business is not for the faint-hearted! I’m about to drop some truth bombs—but trust me you will want to read it.

Let’s talk about why running a business is really bloody hard work, and why there are no quick fixes. There’s no magic pill for success. The reality is that building a sustainable, profitable business requires consistent effort and a willingness to grind.

We’ve all seen the Instagram and TikTok ads promoting easy ways to make money. “Buy my course, and you’ll be rich in no time!” or “Use my magic system, and you’ll generate thousands in just a few weeks!” It’s all smoke and mirrors. Those promises are far from reality, and people often end up losing more than they gain. You can’t just throw money at a problem and expect instant results. The truth is: success comes from providing a good product or service, backed by hard work, not from gimmicks or shortcuts. If you’re focusing solely on how to make money, without a focus on quality, you’re setting yourself up for failure.

Running a business is tough. Whether you’re aiming for better work-life balance or trying to increase revenue, one thing remains constant: it requires serious effort. There’s no magic trick that will instantly add thousands to your bank account. For instance, I had a client who asked me how to bring in 100 more appointments per month. My first question was, “Can you handle that?” He hadn’t even considered the capacity of his business—his focus was on bringing more patients through the door without ensuring he could manage them. Instead of piling on more work, we streamlined his operations first, setting him up for sustainable growth.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that success happens overnight. It doesn’t. Whether you’re starting out or looking to grow, consistency is your best friend. Show up every day, put in the work, and stay the course. Those who succeed are the ones who keep going, even when it’s hard. I’ve worked with clients who’ve gone from earning £9,000 a month to £30,000 in a matter of months. What was the secret? They followed every piece of advice, worked tirelessly, and made sacrifices along the way. It wasn’t luck, and it certainly wasn’t a quick fix—it was consistent effort.

There will be times in business when you have to make sacrifices. There’s no sugar-coating it. I remember being on a once-in-a-lifetime holiday, sitting on a beach in the Philippines, and I still found myself writing an article about work ethic. Business doesn’t stop just because you want it to. The hustle is real, and sometimes you have to put in the hours, even when you’d rather be relaxing.

However, it’s not forever. You’ll reach a point where you can systemise, hire people, and enjoy more freedom—but in the early stages, be prepared to graft. And when opportunities arise, you have to seize them. One of my clients took the plunge and opened their clinic on Sundays. It’s now one of their busiest days. Flexibility, hard work, and recognising opportunities are what set successful businesses apart.

I see too many business owners falling into the trap of following so-called “gurus” who charge thousands for advice that isn’t tailored to their specific situation. The one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn’t work. Every business is different, and advice needs to be practical and actionable for your unique circumstances.

Before committing to expensive courses or programmes, do your research. Speak to other business owners who’ve worked with these gurus, and see what their real results have been. At the end of the day, your success depends on good advice and your willingness to put in the hard work. Even when you’ve reached a point where your business is thriving, the work doesn’t stop. Innovation and improvement are constant necessities. As business owners, we always have to stay ahead of the competition and think about new ways to grow and improve. That could mean anything from tweaking your marketing strategy to ensuring your clinic stays competitive and up-to-date.

Many successful business owners will tell you that while they may have more freedom now, it wasn’t always that way. They too had to put in the hard graft. And let me tell you, they’re still working hard to stay on top. You’ve probably heard the term “passive income” thrown around. Let me be clear: there’s no such thing as passive income. Every revenue stream requires maintenance, management, and innovation. It’s always going to take effort. Anyone who tells you otherwise is probably trying to sell you something.

So, if there’s one thing to take away from all this, it’s that running a successful business takes time, effort, and a lot of hard work. There are no shortcuts. Stay consistent, keep learning, and be prepared to put in the hours. That’s the real formula for success. If you are intrigued and can resonate with what I have said and want to hear more from me and my coaches then now is your time to grab a ticket at my live event in October! Transform your clinic and achieve the financial and personal freedom you deserve, surround yourself with other business owners just like you. Grab your ticket here, its going to be a truly inspiring and empowering day!

Have a fantastic weekend!

Katie X