In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I open up about what Thanksgiving brings to mind for anyone building a business. The holiday pulls me back to the reality that ownership is a mix of peaks and valleys, and no amount of planning removes the swings. Two years into running my own company, after years of helping others build theirs, the pattern stays the same. Some weeks feel strong. Other weeks hand you late payments, slow leads, or people who walk away without warning. The work never moves in a straight line, and the pressure hits harder when you expect it to be smooth.

The point I make is that the struggles don’t reveal a flaw in the person doing the work. They show up because the work is real. The internet is full of promises of passive income and effortless growth, but anyone operating a real business knows those promises don’t match the day-to-day grind. You can land a couple strong clients and still find yourself back at zero the minute the projects wrap. You can do everything right and still wait for money that never arrives. It’s part of the terrain.

To steady that stress, I talk about a simple practice that has helped me stay centered. Each day, write down three things you’re grateful for. Not mental notes. Not silent thoughts. Physical writing. The act forces your attention onto the things that still work when the business feels heavy. Most people can find three things without much effort. Waking up. Eating when you want. Walking across the room without pain. Having a family that’s close. My own list grows fast when I stop long enough to name what’s already in front of me.

Gratitude doesn’t erase a slow month or fix someone who won’t pay. It does anchor you so frustration doesn’t take over the entire day. When the work dips, the list helps you remember the parts of your life that aren’t tied to the next invoice. It becomes a small reset button that keeps the valleys from pulling you further down.

I wrap by reminding everyone that the ride never levels out. Entrepreneurship doesn’t offer a season where everything runs without a hitch. But that doesn’t mean you’re losing ground. It means you’re in the same arena as everyone else building something from scratch. A little perspective and a daily moment of gratitude can keep you grounded long enough to push through the next climb. Enjoy the holiday, enjoy the people around you, and keep moving forward with a clear head.

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