You’ve heard it a thousand times: “You need systems.” But what does that actually mean when you’re busy, stretched thin, and running on mental sticky notes? In this episode, Jennifer Kok breaks down Pillar #5 of her Nine Pillars of a Profitable Business—Systems—and shows you how to build them without overwhelm, fancy software, or 100-page manuals.

You’ll learn why your brain shouldn’t be the storage unit for your business, how simple tools like checklists and routines can reduce stress, and how systems protect your energy, your profits, and your growth. Through real stories from a chaotic bakery counter to a costly delivery mistake. Jennifer shows how systems create freedom, consistency, and confidence for you and your team.

If you’re tired of feeling overwhelmed, forgetting things, and being the bottleneck in your business, this episode will help you start building systems that actually work.

Episode Outline
You Already Have Systems (You Just Might Not Like Them)
Your systems already dictate how your day starts, how decisions are made, and how clients are handled—whether you built them intentionally or by default. The real question: are they helping you grow or quietly draining your energy and profits?

The Mental Load of No Systems
When everything lives in your head, your brain becomes the storage unit for emails, follow-ups, decisions, and loose ends. That creates stress, decision fatigue, and eventually burnout. Systems move that weight off your mind and onto something you can trust.

What Systems Really Are (and Aren’t)
Systems are not always expensive software or massive SOPs. They can be:

• Checklists
• Routines
• Decision filters
• Expectations
  They exist so your brain doesn’t have to fill the gaps.

Systems for You as the Owner
Your habits are systems too. Jennifer talks about:

• Blocking time for strategy, not just tasks
• Choosing 3 weekly priorities (not endless to-do lists)
• Using a “Best Yes” filter for decisions
• Creating a simple financial rhythm so you’re not avoiding the numbers

Signs You Need Better Systems

• You’re busy but don’t know what you accomplished
• You replay decisions in your head
• You answer the same questions repeatedly
• You feel more chaos than peace

Systems Create Calm, Focus, and Profit
From using a CRM to organizing contacts and follow-ups, Jennifer explains how having everything in one place removes mental clutter and opens space for growth.

Related Episodes & Additional Resources

The Nine Pillars of a Profitable Business – Overview of the framework that includes Systems as Pillar #5 

• Tools Mentioned: CRM systems like FG Funnels: 

Host Name: Jennifer Kok
About the Host: Jennifer Kok is a business consultant and former 20-year bakery owner who helps service-based small business owners earn more and stress less. Through her Nine Pillars framework, she teaches simple, sustainable ways to grow profitably without burnout.
Website: https://www.nextwavebusinesscoaching.com

Contact the show: https://www.nextwavebusinesscoaching.com/contact

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You’ve Built a Business You’re Proud Of -But It’s Time for It to Work for You. You’re still wearing all the hats, working long hours, and not paying yourself what you deserve. You know there’s more possible. More profit, more clarity, and more freedom to enjoy the life you’re building.  The Earn More Stress Less 9-Pillar Blueprint helps women entrepreneurs with families create profitable businesses that finally pay them back.