In the world of business, effective sales strategies don’t just rely on a slick pitch or compelling statistics—they depend on connection, understanding, and authenticity. One of the most common mistakes I see in sales outreach is an approach that feels impersonal and pushy. This often happens when the person pitching assumes they know what the recipient needs without taking the time to understand who they’re speaking to or what their business actually does. Let me share a recent example to illustrate this point. Recently, I received a message from someone (in another group) offering a dropshipping opportunity. The message was well-crafted on the surface: it highlighted success stories, emphasized potential profit margins, and offered a seemingly low-risk entry into a new business model. But here’s the issue—it didn’t align with my business or needs in any way. The initial pitch went like this: > “Hello 👋, nice connecting with you. I would love to share an opportunity with you. >Hi. I'm not accepting any new opportunities at the moment. > Hi Deir, I completely understand your current position, but I wanted to share an opportunity that could potentially revolutionize your business. Our dropshipping model has already generated millions in sales for similar stores, with profit margins up to 30%. What sets us apart: Hand-picked, high-demand products Automated order fulfillment Dedicated customer support Real-time tracking and analytics This partnership requires minimal upfront costs and can seamlessly integrate with your existing operations. I'd love to discuss how our expertise can help take your business to the next level.” -- On the surface, this sounds like an exciting opportunity, right? But here’s why it fell flat: it showed zero understanding of my business, my goals, and my current focus. It was a generic sales pitch designed to appeal to a broad audience, not to me specifically. One of the main issues here is the assumption that the person on the receiving end would immediately find value in the offer. The sender wrote, “I completely understand your current position,” without asking a single question to learn about my business. This approach not only shows a lack of effort but also disrespects the recipient’s time and expertise.

Never beg someone to join your business as an employee or a client, or you'll end up begging them to work once they're in. Guard your peace of mind, time, and money by setting standards and letting the right people come to you

Small business ownership often starts as a solo endeavor, with one person wearing all the hats: entrepreneur, manager, and technician. If you’re a small business owner, this likely sounds familiar. You’re balancing the grand vision, the daily operations, and the hands-on work. But while this may seem sustainable at first, as Michael Gerber explains in his book The E-Myth Revisited, a shift in focus is needed if you want your business to grow beyond your own daily input. I’d like to share some insights from Gerber’s concept of the entrepreneur/manager/technician roles, and how learning to prioritize the role of the entrepreneur can ultimately drive growth, freedom, and lasting success. 🌟The Three Hats of a Business Owner: Entrepreneur, Manager, Technician Gerber introduces three distinct roles that small business owners must navigate: 1. The Entrepreneur The entrepreneur is the visionary, the one who looks to the future and imagines what could be. This is the role of growth, creativity, and risk-taking. Entrepreneurs think big, spot opportunities, and plan for the long term. Without an entrepreneur’s vision, a business risks stagnation, stuck in day-to-day tasks without growth in sight. 2. The Manager The manager’s role is about organization, consistency, and structure. Managers put systems in place, ensuring that the business operates efficiently. This role is essential for streamlining processes and ensuring the business runs smoothly. Managers prioritize details, logistics, and operations—the practical backbone of any business. 3. The Technician The technician is the “doer” in the business, someone highly skilled in the core work, whether it’s creating, consulting, or delivering a service. Many small business owners are technicians at heart, drawn to start a business out of a passion for the work itself. But while the technician is skilled, they can also become too focused on day-to-day tasks, which can hold back the larger growth of the business.

When you think of tax planning, you might assume it’s only for the ultra-wealthy or big business owners. But here’s the truth: tax planning is for anyone who earns money, no matter the income level. Even someone like Alex Hormozi, known for scaling businesses and sharing practical financial advice, understands that wealth-building goes beyond just earning more—it's also about keeping more of what you make. That’s where tax planning comes in. 1. Keep More of What You Earn Alex often talks about creating value and scaling business, but one of his core ideas is financial efficiency. Tax planning embodies this mindset. Whether you make $30,000 or $300,000, planning helps you legally reduce your tax bill, allowing you to keep more of your income. It’s not about cutting corners—it’s about maximizing your wealth-building strategy by taking advantage of deductions, credits, and exemptions available to you. 2. Tax Planning Isn’t Just for Big Earners or Entrepreneurs Alex built his success through efficiency and scaling—not just by focusing on revenue, but also by being strategic with every dollar. Similarly, tax planning isn’t just for business owners or the wealthy. If you’re an employee, freelancer, or side hustler, you can benefit by planning for your tax liabilities and cash flow. Understanding your potential savings gives you more control over your money, aligning with the kind of financial foresight that’s critical to building wealth. 3. Lower Your Tax Season Stress with Proactive Planning One of the most practical ideas Alex advocates is staying proactive to avoid unnecessary stress, and tax planning is no different. Rather than scrambling through paperwork and hoping it all balances out, you can get ahead by creating a tax plan that prepares you for each year. Knowing your estimated taxes, qualifying deductions, and credits gives you peace of mind—plus, it prevents the kind of surprises that can throw off your entire financial strategy. 4. Build a Stronger Financial Future

I have a couple e-commerce clients and because taxes are one of their pain points and I know a couple of you are also in e-commerce, I decided to make this post. Enjoy! Why E-Commerce Entrepreneurs Pay High Taxes In recent years, e-commerce has exploded, creating opportunities for entrepreneurs to start online businesses with lower overhead costs and fewer barriers to entry. But while this shift towards digital business comes with many perks, one major drawback often surprises new e-commerce entrepreneurs—high taxes. If you’re an e-commerce business owner, you might be wondering why your tax bill is so significant. Let's break down the reasons why taxes can seem disproportionately high in this industry and what you can do to manage them better. 1. Sales Tax Compliance Across Multiple Jurisdictions One of the biggest challenges e-commerce entrepreneurs face is sales tax. Unlike traditional businesses that operate in one location, online businesses sell products across state lines, sometimes even internationally. Each state (or country) has its own sales tax regulations, and keeping up with them can be complicated. The Supreme Court’s decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc. opened the door for states to require online businesses to collect and remit sales tax even if they don’t have a physical presence in that state. This means as your business grows, you’ll need to track sales tax in multiple jurisdictions, which can be time-consuming and costly. Failure to comply can lead to fines and penalties, further increasing your tax burden. 2. Income from Multiple Sources As an e-commerce entrepreneur, you might have multiple revenue streams—affiliate marketing, drop-shipping, selling on various platforms like Amazon, Shopify, or Etsy, and more. Each of these platforms can have different tax implications. For instance, some income may be subject to self-employment tax, while other income might fall under capital gains. All these various income sources must be accounted for, which can push you into higher tax brackets and increase your overall tax liability. Without proper planning, you could find yourself paying more than you expected.