Hi, I'm Arian

Welcome to my Monthly Strategic Observations

I'm the business consultant who makes strategic thinking accessible without the overwhelming complexity. My approach combines practical wisdom with a direct, no-nonsense style that helps busy entrepreneurs get the clarity they need to make confident decisions.

Every newsletter delivers memorable, actionable insights that you can immediately apply to your business. No jargon, no fluff – just the strategic clarity you need to move from scattered to focused.

This month's strategic insight:

Stop running your business.

Start directing it.

The questions that separate struggling entrepreneurs from thriving ones.

The questions you ask about your business shape the answers you get. And most entrepreneurs are unknowingly asking questions that keep them trapped in a cycle of long hours and unpredictable income.

The operator mindset vs. the director mindset

The shift from running to directing your business starts with one simple change: asking strategic questions instead of tactical ones. Here's how successful entrepreneurs think differently:

Operators ask: "Why can't I find good people?" Directors ask: "What am I doing that makes good people unsuccessful here?"

Operators ask: "How do I cut costs?" Directors ask: "Which investments will generate the highest returns?"

Solo operators ask: "How do I handle all of this myself?" Solo directors ask: "What would happen if I stopped doing this completely?"

Solo operators ask: "When will I have time for this?" Solo directors ask: "What systems can I create so this happens automatically?"

Operators ask: "What's the quickest solution?" Directors ask: "What's the root cause of this recurring problem?"

Instead of "How can I make this work?" ask "What evidence do I have that this will work?"

Instead of "What's my best-case scenario?" ask "What's my most likely scenario?"

Instead of "How do I get more done?" ask "Which activities actually generate revenue?"

The right questions unlock the right strategy.. When you start asking director-level questions, you naturally begin thinking like someone who builds systems instead of just solving problems.

Most business owners unknowingly sabotage their success by refusing to face uncomfortable truths about their businesses.

Reality-based planning isn't pessimistic – it's profitable.

This director-thinking is especially crucial when facing hard financial truths...

Your business plan says you'll hit $100K this year. Your actual monthly revenue suggests you'll hit $60K. Which number are you using to make decisions about hiring, expenses, and growth investments?

Wishful thinking disguised as planning looks like:

• Revenue projections based on "if everything goes perfectly"
• Expense budgets that ignore seasonal fluctuations
• Growth timelines that assume no setbacks or learning curves

Financial projections that actually work include:

• Conservative revenue estimates with multiple scenarios
• Expense buffers for the unexpected (because there's always something unexpected)
• Timeline cushions that account for real-world delays

Your next strategic move

Pick one area where you've been overly optimistic in your planning. Look at the actual data – real revenue, actual expenses, true timelines. Then rebuild your plan using those numbers instead of your hopes.

It might be uncomfortable to face the gap between your vision and your current reality. But that gap isn't a failure – it's information. And information is what you need to make decisions that actually move your business forward.

Bottom line: The transition from running to directing your business starts with asking better questions and facing harder truths. Strategic thinking isn't about having all the answers – it's about asking the questions that lead to profitable decisions.

Want to identify the strategic shifts that will actually move your business forward? Let's talk about what's really holding you back.

From a happy client:

"Arian gave me a great outlook on how to run and grow my business. I’ve been looking for that kind of help for years. Her kind, gentle, non-judgmental approach makes you feel at ease while you’re analyzing your business. Through this process, a process that brings up many emotions, you come up with a plan and an empowered way to look at your business and how to run it best."

Barbara, Santa Fe, NM