If I Could Start My Business Over… Here’s Exactly What I’d Do (So You Don’t Have to Learn the Hard Way)

If I could go back in time and restart my business from day one — before the rebrands, before the fraud drama, before I realized how allergic I was to bad systems — I’d do a few things differently. And honestly? It would have saved me years of headaches, hours of admin time, and probably a few dramatic spirals over taxes.

So if you’re a new business owner, or you’re finally ready to treat your business like a business, here’s the exact blueprint I’d follow if I started again from scratch.

1. Get Legal Contract Templates FIRST (Not 2 Years In When Panic Sets In)

Look. I love creative freedom. I do not love the legal side…but it’s non-negotiable. If I could start over, I’d invest in proper legal contract templates immediately, especially:

• Privacy Policy

• Terms of Use

• Service Agreement

• Website Disclaimer

Every website legally requires a Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and no one tells you that until you’re frantically Googling at 1am. Skip the stress and go straight to Denver Trademark Law and grab their legal templates. Use my code ANITRIX for a discount. These templates are attorney-written, super clear, and actually make you feel protected instead of confused.

I wish I’d done this on day one.

2. Streamline your banking so you don’t lose your mind during tax season

If you know me, you know I’m in my systems era, and banking was one of the first places I cleaned up because of the whole scammer fraud situation. This is one of those things I wish someone had told me early on, because nothing drains your energy faster than messy finances.

Option A: Found is my current obsession. Found is an online banking platform built for small businesses, and it is honestly healing my financial trauma. It automatically categorizes expenses, tracks deductions, preps your taxes, and keeps everything in one place. It even verifies new payments and makes mobile deposits feel safer, which is a huge deal for me. And somehow, Found actually makes banking feel fun. I know that sounds dramatic, but the app makes everything feel organized and satisfying instead of overwhelming. For every business expense, it gives a estimated deduction and I’M OBSESSED. It’s like turning tax season into a little game and I am here for it.

Option B: QuickBooks Checking. If you’re already using QuickBooks and want everything fully integrated, their checking account keeps your bookkeeping and banking streamlined. It’s clean, simple, and keeps everything talking to each other.

Either option works, plus so many more. What doesn’t work is doing nothing and hoping your finances magically organize themselves. They won’t.

And honestly, if you know you have no business doing your own taxes, get an accountant. When you know, you know. TurboTax makes it seem easy, and for some people maybe it is. But if tax stuff makes your brain shut down, if the word “deductions” makes your eye twitch, or if categorizing expenses makes you want to cry, just budget for an accountant. Price your offers correctly and hire someone who loves this stuff.

It will save your sanity, protect your business, and keep your numbers cleaner than any DIY setup ever will.

3. Choose Wix over Squarespace

I love Squarespace, but if you want efficiency, customization, and a system that’s actually built for growth, I would choose Wix every time. If I started my design studio today, I would go all-in on Wix from day one. The mobile customization is better, the design flexibility is unmatched, and the easy-to-use automation features keep everything clean and simple. As a Colorado web designer who builds websites for small businesses, I want clean systems, easy maintenance, and a platform that grows with you, not one that limits you. (If you’re watching Squarespace, I really do love you).

4. Build systems that support you so your business doesn’t run you

When I first started, I was just making it work. Now, I’m intentionally building systems that support my energy, my workflow, and the type of clients I attract. If I could tell early-business-owner me anything, it would be: your systems matter just as much as your branding and your website. Build them intentionally. A website that converts, banking that organizes itself, legal templates that protect you, and automations that take care of the admin. This is the foundation for long-term growth, and yes, it absolutely makes you more money.

TLDR: start smarter, not scrambled. Solid legal templates, streamlined banking, a website platform that supports your business, and systems that keep you sane.

If you’re ready for branding or a website that matches the CEO version of you that you’re stepping into, I’m your girl. Let’s build something that actually works.