The Three Places You SHOULD Spend Money When Starting Your Business - Part 3
(This is the last in a three part series).Launching a nonprofit, small business, or any kind of mission-driven venture usually starts with one big reality: money is tight. You’re watching every dollar, trying to make smart decisions, and hoping your early sacrifices will pay off. The pressure can be intense. The dream is alive, but so is the fear of failure—and the fear of going broke in the process.
Money becomes a constant background noise. It’s on your mind when you’re working, when you’re not working, and even when you’re trying to sleep.
Now, I’m not a fan of the blanket advice that “you have to spend money to make money.” I’ve seen enough waste—especially when folks are playing with someone else’s money. But I do believe that when you’re just getting started, there are a few areas where spending wisely isn’t optional—it’s essential.
In my first two blogs I suggested 1) Spend Money on a Consultant, and 2) Spend Money on Branding.
Here’s the last of three strategic investments that can make a real difference right from the beginning:
3. Spend Money on Counseling
The financial, personal, and emotional pressures of starting a new business can be overwhelming. When I left a stable job to launch a new organization, I got a piece of advice from Dr. Scott Peterson, leadership guru and owner of Collision Leadership, that I’ll never forget. He told me, “When things are going well at home, nothing can touch you.”
He was right.
The reality is that many new businesses and organizations don’t make it. That’s just the truth. Starting something from scratch is hard work. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth doing. In fact, the journey—challenging as it may be—can be incredibly rewarding. Sure, you might dream of financial success, big profits, and brand recognition. But the personal growth, the hard-won lessons, and the depth of character you develop along the way are just as valuable.
That said, it’s crucial to protect yourself—and the relationships that matter most. That’s why I believe one of the best investments you can make early on is in your emotional and mental health.
Socrates said, “To know thyself is the beginning of wisdom.” Just like exercise strengthens your body, regular visits to a counselor or therapist help maintain your mental and emotional well-being. Checking your internal “temperature”—your stress, your mental state, your relationships—keeps you grounded and aware. After all, no one starts a business hoping to end up burned out, divorced, or in the ER with a heart attack.
And yet, those things happen more often than we admit.
Starting my organization was the most rewarding—and most stressful—thing I’ve ever done. My kids were little, my wife was deep in her own career, and I had walked away from a steady paycheck and benefits with no guarantees of success. The pressure was real. But our weekly visits to a therapist gave us perspective. They kept us connected, centered, and strong. And because things were going well at home, the highs and lows of the business didn’t knock us off course.
Saving money in the early stages of building a business is important—but don’t confuse that with neglecting what truly matters. If you’re hesitant to spend, that’s understandable. But consider what’s really at stake. Some investments are worth every penny.
And this is one of them.
