M.Y.O.B. Build your dream team
The must-have pros every woman entrepreneur needs
Here’s a little entrepreneurial secret: you are not supposed to know everything. And if you try to? That’s a one-way ticket to burnout, stress rashes, and crying in the parking lot of Staples.
Every successful woman I know has a dream team — not a payroll of 50, but a handful of trusted pros she can call when the questions get too complicated for Google. The women who succeed long-term are the ones who stop saying “I’ll figure it out” and start saying “Who can I call that already knows how to figure it out?”
So who belongs on your squad? Let’s break it down.
The Attorney
Yes, lawyers are expensive. You know what’s more expensive? Lawsuits. Contracts written on cocktail napkins. Partnerships gone sour. An attorney will help set up your business structure, review your contracts, and keep you out of messes you never saw coming.
The Accountant
You might think QuickBooks will save you. It won’t. An accountant can tell you what to deduct, how to plan for taxes, and how to make sure you’re not writing checks you can’t cash.
The Banker
You need more than a debit card. A banker helps with credit lines, loans, and making sure you’re taken seriously when you need financing. Pro tip: build this relationship before you need money.
The Marketing/PR Person
Without customers, you don’t have a business — you have a very expensive hobby. A marketing pro can help you get your story out there, sharpen your brand, and bring in the people who actually want to buy what you’re selling.
The Mentor/Coach
Think of this person as your business therapist. They’re not there to sell you services — they’re there to tell you the truth, cheer you on, and keep you moving when you want to crawl back into bed.
Bottom line? You can’t do this alone. Every empire (scratch that, every successful business) was built with advisors, not just hustle. Put your people in place now, and when things get messy — and they will — you won’t be stuck Googling “what do I do if my contractor ghosted me?” at 2 a.m.
Lucy Rosen has spent 40+ years helping women find business success. Based in Bluffton, she also runs the Lowcountry Women’s Network, a monthly gathering for women in business. Reach: Lucy@smartmarketingcommunications.com.
