The System That Set Me Free

How one book, years of trial and error, and a few “super employees” helped me build the system that finally gave me freedom, in business and in life.

One of the best business books I’ve ever read is The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber. It was around 2013 when I came across it, and that book completely changed the way I saw my business.

At the time, I was doing everything myself, selling, marketing, buying, accounting, cleaning, following up with customers… you name it. I was the first to open the store and the last to leave. Whenever I hired someone, I still couldn’t let go. I’d end up saying, “You don’t know how to do it, I’ll just do it myself.” And of course, I’d end up exhausted, frustrated, and blaming the employees.

For years, I thought the problem was them. Then I thought maybe it was me, maybe I wasn’t a strong enough leader to attract the right people. But the truth was, I didn’t have a system.

Over the years, I was blessed to work with a few incredible women, what I like to call my super employees. They helped shape my business in ways I’ll never forget. One of them, a single mom with two kids, was offered a higher-paying position at a large jewelry chain. I couldn’t match the offer, so I told her to take it, because she deserved it. She’s still a good friend of mine, and she’ll always have a special place in my heart.

When she left, I was terrified. I thought sales would drop, but they didn’t. I hired someone else, and surprisingly, the business continued to run just fine. The same thing happened with my next super employee, and the one after that.

That’s when I realized something powerful: my business was no longer dependent on any one person, not even me.

Around that time, I began implementing the system that would change everything. I learned a method from a business training that said:

Write down every task your business needs to run, and draw boxes around them. Then, write the name of the person responsible for each box.

The rule was simple, only one name per box. If two people shared responsibility for the same thing, something would eventually go wrong. You can have one person’s name appear in many boxes, but never two names in one.

At first, my name was in every box. Slowly, one by one, I started replacing my name with someone else’s. That’s how I started to build a true system.

And that’s when my business began to run without me.

I also learned another important lesson: you have to build your business around good people. It's not just about skill, it’s about attitude, energy, and alignment with your values. If someone isn’t a team player or constantly creates tension, you have to let them go. No matter how difficult it feels.

In the beginning, I used to struggle deeply with firing anyone. It felt personal. But I eventually realized that letting go isn’t cruelty, it’s kindness. When you release someone who isn’t the right fit, you give them the freedom to find where they truly belong.

Looking back now, I understand why the book said: “Systems run the business. People run the systems.”

Creating a system gave me freedom, not just in business, but in life. It allowed me to focus on what I love most: designing, connecting with people, and building a brand that reflects my heart.

It took years, mistakes, and a lot of learning, but I’m proud of the woman and leader I’ve become along the way. Today, my business runs with structure and intention, and that gives me peace.

I no longer see growth as reaching a destination, I see it as becoming more of who I was always meant to be.