What Every New Hampshire Business Owner Needs to Remember

As a business owner, there’s always this temptation to say yes.

Yes to the opportunity.

Yes to the visibility.

Yes to the person asking.

Especially when you're in a season of uncertainty and don’t know exactly where the next paycheck is coming from or when the next client will say yes to you.

And when you live and work in a small community, that pressure gets dialed up even more. Word of mouth matters here in the North Country. There’s this unspoken expectation to say yes, to be agreeable, to be “nice”—because you never know who might be talking, or who’s connected to who.

But I’ve come to realize that in a place where relationships carry so much weight, it’s even more important to check in with what’s truly aligned—for me and my business. Just because something looks good on paper doesn’t mean it’s right for the path I’m on.

Not too long ago, someone I know and genuinely appreciate in the local business community reached out to offer me an advertising opportunity. It felt like a generous offer—one that might help get my name out there and support another local business owner at the same time.

But when I took a closer look, something didn’t feel quite right. The overall vibe, the presentation, the businesses it was connected to… it just didn’t align with the vision I have for Clear View Advantage. It didn’t match the standard I’ve been holding myself to.

As I imagined someone discovering my business there, it didn’t feel like the kind of first impression I want to make.

Still, it was really hard to say no. Not because I didn’t trust my gut—I did. But because I knew I’d be letting someone down. And I hate letting people down.

I said no as kindly and respectfully as I could. But the reaction still came: disappointment and hurt feelings. And I felt that pang in my chest almost instantly. That old version of me—the one who used to twist herself into knots to avoid disappointing anyone—showed up right on cue, ready to explain, soften, make it okay.

But this time, I didn’t give in. I gave it space. I let the discomfort move through.

And on the other side?

Peace.

Confidence.

Clarity.

I came back to myself. And I remembered: I am not for everyone. And I’m not supposed to be.

What Alignment Feels Like for a Business Owner

Alignment doesn’t shout. It doesn’t demand.

It's quiet. It’s steady. It’s this deep sense of knowing. It feels like peace.

As a business owner, I’ve learned to pay attention to what’s happening in my body. I usually know something is a yes if it’s still a yes after the initial excitement wears off. And I know something is a no when I feel it in my gut and that feeling doesn’t go away. Sometimes I lose sleep over it. That’s usually my body trying to get my attention.

It might sound strange, but I really do believe our bodies are like compasses. They’ll tell us everything we need to know if we’re willing to listen. Over the years, I’ve started paying closer attention to those feelings. They’ve never steered me wrong.

The Cost of People-Pleasing as a Business Owner

I’ve said yes before out of fear. Fear that the money wouldn’t come. Fear that I’d miss out. Fear that saying no meant shutting a door I’d never get back.

And those yeses?

They cost me. Time, energy, peace. I ended up in situations I knew weren’t right. Working with people who didn’t respect what I do or value what I bring. It was draining.

If you’re a business owner who’s been there too, I see you. It’s so easy to slip into scarcity mindset—especially when you’re building something on your own. But here’s what I want to say to you:

Stop living from fear. Start planning for success.

Seriously. Sit down and ask yourself: What does success look like for me as a business owner?

How does it feel in my body? What kind of clients do I want to work with? What kind of energy do I want to bring into my business and my life?

If you live from that place—aligned, clear, hopeful—you’ll start to see the opportunities that actually belong to you.

Before You Decide, Ask Yourself This

Whenever I’m on the fence about something, I ask myself one simple question:

Who am I making this decision for—me, or someone else?

If I’m making the decision to avoid disappointing someone, or to be liked, or to prove myself… that’s a red flag. That usually means I’m stepping out of alignment.

The truth is, saying yes can be a beautiful thing. But saying no?

That can be just as powerful.

Just as generous.

Just as necessary.

Your business deserves to be protected. Your energy deserves to be honored. And you deserve to trust yourself—even when it’s uncomfortable.

Something to Think About

Take a second today and think back to a time you said yes when you wish you hadn’t. What did it cost you? What did you learn?

Now think about a time you said no—even when it was hard. What kind of space did that open up for you?

The more we learn to trust our gut and make decisions from alignment, not fear, the more we grow into the kind of business owner we’re proud to be.

And let me just say this one more time in case you need the reminder today:

You’re not meant to be for everyone. You’re meant to be for the ones who are right for you.