Lessons from Running a Brick and Mortar Business

Working in corporate instructional design while running a brick and mortar business has changed how I think about performance, growth, and what actually moves the needle.

In corporate environments, it is easy to focus on strategy, tools, and expansion. These things matter, but running a small business has a way of stripping everything down to what truly works. When you are responsible for customers, employees, operations, and profitability all at once, complexity becomes expensive very quickly.

Over time, I have found that many of the most effective business decisions are not about adding more. They are about simplifying, clarifying, and focusing on what actually matters.

Here are a few lessons that continue to shape how I think about business and instructional design.

More Locations Do Not Automatically Mean More Profit

Expansion is often seen as a sign of success, but growth introduces complexity. More locations mean more staffing challenges, more operational variability, and more opportunities for inconsistency.

Growth can absolutely be the right move, but it only works when the foundation is strong. Without clear processes, training, and operational discipline, expansion tends to magnify existing problems rather than solve them.

This experience has reinforced the importance of building scalable systems before pursuing growth.

Less Is More: A Tighter Menu Often Leads to Stronger Sales

One of the most surprising lessons from running a donut shop has been the power of simplification. It is tempting to offer more options to appeal to more customers, but more choices often lead to slower service, more waste, and operational complexity.

A tighter menu improves speed, consistency, and decision making for both employees and customers. When the offering is clear and focused, execution improves.

This same principle applies to training and instructional design. Simpler solutions are often more effective because they are easier to understand and apply in real time.

Addition by Subtraction Is Real

It can feel counterintuitive, but removing options, steps, or complexity often leads to better results. Simplifying processes reduces confusion, improves consistency, and helps teams perform more confidently.

In both business operations and instructional design, clarity is often created by removing unnecessary elements rather than adding more.

You Do Not Have to Be Everything to Everyone

It is easy to look at competitors and feel pressure to match everything they offer. However, trying to serve everyone often leads to diluted focus and inconsistent execution.

Understanding your strengths and leaning into them creates a stronger and more sustainable business. It is valuable to understand what competitors are doing, but it is even more important to stay grounded in your own identity and strengths.

Most Mistakes Are Process Gaps, Not People Problems

Running a business quickly highlights an important truth. When something goes wrong, it is often not because someone does not care or is not capable. It is usually because expectations were unclear, processes were not documented, or training was incomplete.

This perspective has shaped how I approach instructional design. Good training reduces friction, builds confidence, and helps teams perform more consistently.

Employees Are Not Trying to Sabotage You

It is easy to become frustrated when mistakes happen, especially in a fast paced environment. Over time, I have learned that most employees genuinely want to succeed. When they struggle, it is usually because they lack clarity, support, or tools.

Trusting employees and providing clear expectations creates a healthier and more productive environment.

Failing Fast Beats Overthinking

In a small business, waiting for perfect conditions is rarely an option. Testing ideas quickly, learning from results, and adjusting accordingly often leads to better outcomes than extensive planning.

This mindset has influenced how I approach both operations and learning design. Iteration and continuous improvement often outperform perfection.

Relationships and Customer Service Still Matter

In a world focused on automation and efficiency, it is easy to overlook the impact of relationships and customer experience. However, strong relationships remain one of the most powerful differentiators.

Customers remember how they are treated. Employees perform better when they feel supported. Culture and service still matter more than we often admit.

Simple Is Harder, but It Works

The biggest takeaway from balancing corporate instructional design and running a brick and mortar business is that simplicity is not easy, but it is effective.

Clear processes, focused offerings, trust, and strong relationships often outperform complex strategies and constant expansion.

In the end, performance and growth are rarely about doing more. They are about doing the right things, consistently, and with clarity.