Small business owners -You’ve seen these posts.
“THE SECRET SAUCE TO 6-FIGURES!”
“The one secret all successful business owners know!”
“The secret sauce is… posting at 7pm!”
Cue the dramatic eye roll.I know I’ve written and screamed about this before but having had clients that have fallen for some of these things it’s time to call it out again.
Let’s set the record straight there is no secret sauce.
Not in business. Not in branding. Not in social media.
Definitely not in that carousel post with neon text and suspiciously smooth skin filters.
The idea that there’s one hidden trick that’ll catapult your business to glory is comforting—but it’s also rubbish. It’s a marketing hook. A shiny carrot dangling in front of tired, overwhelmed solo business owners who are already spinning too many plates and looking for relief.
Why do people keep falling for it?
Because running a business is hard.
It’s unpredictable. It takes time. It takes self-reflection. It takes consistent action.
And most people would rather download a “3-step foolproof formula” than sit in the discomfort of that.
It’s boring but the things that grow a small business aren’t secret. They’re just annoyingly consistent and commonsense.
That includes:
- Knowing what you offer and who it’s actually for
- Communicating that clearly, often, and in a way people can feel
- Pricing based on value, not vibes
- Following up (even when you feel awkward)
- Listening to your customers, not your competitor’s TikTok
- Doing the work even when no one’s clapping for it yet
Learning Is Essential—But Don’t Trade It for Experience
To be clear, learning is crucial.
We’re big fans of courses, books, templates, podcasts—you name it. Staying curious and investing in your knowledge is a good move, always. It’s how businesses evolve.
But here’s the catch: learning should support your business, not distract you from doing the actual work.
Too many small business owners get stuck in a learning loop, chasing the next hot tip or latest hack, while ignoring their own valuable data experience.
There’s a point where watching another webinar isn’t growth—it’s procrastination in disguise.
Doing the thing badly will teach you more than learning about it perfectly.
So yes, learn. But trust yourself too. You already know more than you think.
We Offer DIY Resources Too (But We’re Not Selling Magic Beans)
At Rawmarrow, we absolutely offer DIY tools and resources.
Templates, planners, guides—we’ve got them. But we also make it very clear: we’re not promising miracles. These tools are grounded in strategy, clarity, and realism. They’re designed to help you take practical steps in your business, not lure you into false hope.
Being realistic is helping you.
Even if it’s not as sexy as “Get 100K followers overnight.”
Even if it means we tell you the road might be slower than you hoped.
We’d rather you build a solid business that lasts than sell you a fantasy that burns out in three months.
You deserve truth, not tricks.
(And let’s be honest: deep down, you already know when something smells like bullsh*t.)
So what should you do instead of hunting for secret sauce?
1. Get clear.
Not just on your offer, but your why, your audience, your capacity, and your long game. Clarity beats algorithms every time.
2. Be consistent.
Not everywhere, not on every platform—just where your people are. Show up in a way that feels doable long-term, not in a sugar-high sprint.
3. Be human.
Talk like a person, not a press release. People don’t buy from brands with perfect strategies—they buy from businesses that make them feel understood.
4. Learn how to think, not just what to post.
Swipe files are fine. So are templates. But if you don’t understand the thinking behind the content, you’ll always feel like you’re building someone else’s business.
5. Test, tweak, repeat.
There’s no one-size-fits-all in small business. Your secret sauce is your ability to notice what’s working, what’s not, and make small improvements over time. (Yes, that’s boring. No, it’s not optional.)
The Only Small Business Sauce That Works?
The only sauce that works is my slow cooked beef ragu sauce that’s yum and solves lots, no seriously the only sauce that works is hard-earned, home-cooked, seasoned-with-failure effort.
And no, you won’t get that from one flashy download or a 2-minute reel promising instant results.
Templates, tools, and guides can help—but they won’t build your business for you.
You still have to show up. You still have to do the work. You still have to learn from your own data, not just someone else’s formula.
So next time you see someone hawking their “secret” to overnight success, remember this.
If it’s packaged like a miracle, it probably isn’t one.
If you’re done with hype and just want honest, practical support to grow your business—you’re in the right place.
Check out our DIY tools, resources, and strategy support made for real humans running real businesses.
No secret sauce. Just solid help.
Explore our resources or work with us!
Whatever stage you’re at, we’re here for the long game.
