A Sustainable Approach to Business Growth

The most successful businesses aren’t built on all-nighters and endless hustle. 

As a business coach who’s worked with countless creative entrepreneurs, I’ve learned a fundamental truth that has transformed both my approach and my clients’ success: consistency wins over hustle. 

Every. Single. Time.

Many creative entrepreneurs believe that explosive growth comes from working longer hours, taking on more clients, or constantly launching new offers. They chase the next big breakthrough, hoping each shiny new strategy or tactic will be the game-changer their business needs.

But what if sustainable growth isn’t about working harder or faster? What if it’s about something more fundamental to how businesses actually thrive?

This is where business rhythms come in.

What Are Business Rhythms (And Why Should You Care?)

Business rhythms are the ongoing tasks you do to keep your business running smoothly. They’re flexible enough to change when you need them to, but consistent enough to make sure everything important gets done.

Unlike those rigid routines that make you want to rebel (or take a long nap), rhythms offer something more sustainable: they’re the heartbeat of your business that keeps everything moving forward consistently.

Think about professional athletes – they don’t achieve greatness by randomly sprinting until they collapse. They follow training programs that build on each other, day after day. Your business? Same deal.

Why Consistency Beats Hustle Culture

The “hustle harder” mentality that dominates entrepreneurial spaces often leads to one of two outcomes: burnout or abandonment. It’s like trying to run a marathon at sprint pace – technically possible, but ultimately unsustainable.

But there’s a better approach. 

Let me share a personal example. I’ve been coaching creative business owners for nearly a decade now, but the current iteration of my business – the one built entirely on rhythms instead of hustle – took shape about four years ago after I had my son. 

This version has weathered everything from the COVID-19 pandemic to personal loss, from joyful family celebrations to challenging transitions. And you know what made the difference between my business surviving these challenges versus being crushed by them? Those steady, consistent rhythms.

I didn’t get here by accident. My earlier years of coaching taught me something crucial: while the popular ‘work harder and hustle more’ mindset in entrepreneurship can bring short-term success, it’s not a sustainable long-term strategy.

I’ve watched too many talented creatives flame out this way, and I’ve experienced enough of that hamster wheel myself to know there had to be a better way.

That better way? Building a business on rhythms rather than hustle. And let me tell you – the difference is night and day.

The Power of Rhythms in Practice

Let me break down exactly why rhythms are the key to a sustainable business (and no, I’m not exaggerating here). When implemented intentionally, business rhythms transform your entire operation. Here’s how:

They Turn Chaos into Consistency

Think about your typical workday without rhythms – it’s probably a lot of putting out fires, reactive decision making, an ever-growing to-do list,  and that constant feeling of “what am I forgetting?” Rhythms flip this script completely. Instead of your business running you, you’re actually running your business. Those daily small-fire drills? They become rare exceptions rather than your standard operating procedure.

They Grow and Evolve With Your Business

This is where rhythms really shine compared to rigid systems or routines. As your business expands, your rhythms naturally scale with you. The same framework that helped you manage three clients can adapt to support thirty. The key difference? You’re not reinventing the wheel every time you level up – you’re just adjusting the tempo.

They Adapt to Changing Goals and Circumstances

Life happens – whether it’s welcoming a new baby (been there!), navigating a global pandemic (done that!), or seizing unexpected opportunities. Business rhythms aren’t about doing things perfect all the time. They’re about maintaining the day-to-day operations in your business even when plans change (and trust me, they will). They give you the ability to pivot without losing your foundation.

They Make Running Your Business Feel Smoother

Tired of starting from scratch every single time? That’s where rhythms help. Once you have a simple way of doing things, you don’t waste time figuring out the same stuff over and over. Instead, you can focus on what really matters – making great work for your clients and growing your business.

They Create Momentum That Carries You Through Challenges

This is huge. When you’re operating with solid rhythms, you build up what I like to call “business momentum.” Think of it like a flywheel – once it’s moving, it takes less energy to keep it going. So when (not if) life throws you a curveball, your business doesn’t come to a screeching halt. Those established rhythms keep things moving forward like a well-oiled machine, even if you need to temporarily step back.

They Support Sustainable Growth

Hustle culture leaves you bouncing between super busy and dead quiet. But rhythms? They help your business grow steadily. Instead of always scrambling for the next launch or hunting for new clients, you create reliable ways to bring in and serve your ideal clients.

The beauty of rhythms is that they work at every stage of business. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been in business for years, implementing intentional rhythms creates a business that’s not just surviving, but actually thriving – and more importantly, one that can keep thriving long-term.

Building Your Business’s Natural Rhythm

Now, as much I love business rhythms, it doesn’t mean I never hustle. 

There are absolutely seasons in business that demand more intensity – like when I was developing my signature course or running multiple workshops simultaneously. That being said, these periods are exceptions rather than the rule. The key is to make sure your baseline operations maintain a steady, sustainable pace that fits within your normal capacity.

What does this look like in practice?

It means setting up your business in a way that actually works for you. Your tasks match when you have the most energy, fit into the time you really have, and respect the boundaries you set. Plus, you regularly check to make sure everything’s still working – and fix what isn’t.

Creating Sustainable Success

Okay, let’s get practical here. If you’re feeling inspired to shift from hustle to rhythm (and I hope you are!), you might be wondering where to start. First, take a deep breath – this isn’t about overhauling your entire business overnight. That would just be hustle culture in a different outfit, right?

To develop sustainable rhythms in your creative business:

1. Start small and build gradually – focus on establishing one consistent practice at a time
2. Customize your approach to fit your unique business – one size fits none
3. Be patient as you establish new habits and systems (like riding a bike, it takes some time to pick up speed)
4. Regularly evaluate and adjust to ensure your rhythms work for you, not against you

Keep in mind, real change takes time. Pick one thing to work on and stick with it until it feels natural and easy. Then – and only then – add something new. This way, you won’t get overwhelmed, and the changes you make will actually stick.

The Long-Term Advantage

Want to know the best part about building a rhythm-based business? It actually gets to be sustainable. Like, genuinely sustainable – not “I’m saying sustainable but actually crying into my coffee every morning” sustainable.

By choosing rhythm over constant hustle, you’re not just building a business – you’re creating a solid foundation that can weather any storm. This approach ensures your business can:

• Roll with whatever life throws at you (including major plot twists)
• Grow and change as your dreams do
• Keep you and your clients excited about the work
• Keep moving forward – through both the hard times and the good ones (both in your personal and professional life)
• Let your creativity thrive

Ultimately, success doesn’t come from working more or working harder. It comes from working consistently and in a way that fits your life. You don’t need to run yourself into the ground. You just need to keep showing up, making progress, and growing your business step-by-step.

After all, the most impressive businesses aren’t built overnight – they’re crafted day by day, rhythm by rhythm, with intention and purpose. By choosing rhythm over hustle, you’re not just building a business, you’re creating a sustainable legacy that can go the distance.

Make Your Creative Business Work Better (Without Working Harder)

Ready to build a business that lets you focus on what you do best – being creative?

Whether you’re a photographer drowning in editing, an artist struggling to price your work, or a designer juggling too many client projects – I see you. And I built Business Building for Creatives specifically for you.

This isn’t another stuffy, jargon-y business course. This is for creative people who want to:

• Make good money doing what they love
• Have time to actually be creative (instead of drowning in admin work)
• Build a business that doesn’t eat up their whole life
• Stop feeling scattered and start feeling in control

Inside the course, you’ll learn how to:

• Set up simple systems that really work
• Price your work with confidence
• Get clients without feeling sleazy
• Make your business run smoothly (even during busy seasons)

Plus, a whole module on creating business rhythms that actually fit your creative lifestyle.

Picture your business three months from now:

You’re wrapping up another satisfying day in your creative business. Client projects are moving along right on schedule. Your bank account just pinged with another payment (right on time, because your systems are actually working). 

And the best part? 

You just spent two whole hours on that personal project you’ve been dreaming about, because you finally have breathing room in your schedule. No more Sunday night panic attacks. No more wondering where your next client is coming from. Just you, doing your best creative work, in a business that finally feels like it’s running itself.

Sound good?