The Unseen Work of Building a Business

This past September was our first month recording all our invoices and sales in our new ERP (enterprise resource planning) system.

It took us a long time to get here. The hardest part was probably deciding which software would work best for our business. But once we made the decision to go for it, we never looked back.

Changing habits within an organization is hard. Initially, things often become more difficult before they become easier. We faced plenty of complaining and pushback from team members who were struggling to do things differently and were understandably frustrated that their daily routines had been changed.

But after doing things the new way a few times, something shifted. We settled into a new rhythm, and what had initially felt unfamiliar began to feel normal.

This time, however, there was something much bigger at stake. For the first time, we had significantly greater visibility into where our business was headed. September was a month of strong growth, and we were able to see that growth taking place in real time, rather than discovering it weeks later.

For a long time, we believed that a great product, beautiful packaging, and a compelling brand were the ingredients of an excellent business. While these things are undoubtedly important, this year we’ve been learning to pay attention to the details that nobody sees from the outside.

Accurate inventory. Up-to-date sales records. Reliable financial information. The ability to make decisions based on what is actually happening in the business, rather than what we think might be happening.

We’ve always had a delicious product with beautiful packaging. But our business has also struggled with cash flow. We’ve experienced ups and downs, and for a long time we didn't have the systems in place to track our data in real time.

Often, we were operating a month behind the business itself. By the time we had the numbers in front of us, we were looking backward at decisions that had already been made — sometimes realizing that, with better information, we would have made different choices.

There is also a particular kind of anxiety that comes from not knowing exactly where you stand. When your information is delayed, you can sense that something needs attention without knowing precisely what it is or whether there is still time to change course.

This is why September felt like such a milestone for us.

It wasn’t flashy. From the outside, nothing looked particularly different. We were still making the same products, working with the same people, and serving the same customers. But behind the scenes, something fundamental changed.

Now, in October, we’ve begun recording all our purchases in the system as well. With that in place, we have a much clearer, real-time picture of our sales and expenses, day by day.

It might seem like a small thing to celebrate, but we think the fact that we’re excited about something as unglamorous as an ERP system is itself a sign of how much we’re growing and maturing as entrepreneurs.

Building a business isn't just about making something people love. It's also about building the systems, discipline, and visibility that allow that business to last.