The Navigator’s SHIFT Compass: Building a Business That Actually Fits You
Forget scale-at-all-costs strategies. Here’s how to build a sustainable business that makes sense for your life, not someone else's.
Right now, you might be in the middle of one of those “how did I end up here?” moments.
I’ve had plenty.
I didn’t set out to build an empire. I just wanted to use my skills, make some money, and have a life.
Somewhere along the way, I realized I was following paths built by people with very different priorities. That realization? It changed everything.
I didn’t need more goals—I needed a better path forward.
Don't get me wrong, the hustle and misalignment were true gold nuggets in determining what I wanted—or didn’t. But my life looked different from the lives of many of the mentors, coaches, and course creators I was listening to—raising kids while running a business, juggling cross-country moves, navigating ADHD, and needing space to travel without everything falling apart.
I had different priorities. Different constraints. A different version of success.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re building your business with borrowed blueprints—or like you’re constantly tweaking someone else’s system to fit a life it wasn’t designed for—this series is for you.
The Navigator’s SHIFT Compass is a personal and practical guide for solopreneurs who want to build a business that fits them—without the noise, burnout, or pressure to scale for the sake of it.
This isn’t a roadmap from Point A to Point B. It’s a compass to help you find direction no matter where you are.
It’s the flexible framework I use to stop spinning my wheels and get clear, again and again.
It’s how I test ideas, reflect on what matters, and tailor my business to fit me, not the other way around.
But it didn’t happen overnight. It took trial and error, a shift in mindset, and a lot of practice to learn to trust myself—even when the advice didn’t match my reality. It also took a lot of mindset shifts, prioritizing my needs and learning to listen even when I didn't think it was relevant or appropriate.
I imagine it's like sitting in on a behind-the-scenes conversation with your pen and notebook, ready to jot down what's working, what's not, and which direction you could possibly follow to feel good about where you are in your business journey. All that without the added noise, burnout, or pressure to chase advice that doesn’t reflect your values or way of working.
In this series, I’ll explain the six foundational elements of my work, decision-making, and how I help others get unstuck and regain momentum.
What’s Inside the Navigator’s Map
I'll unpack each part, like a journal entry meets field notes, sharing what worked, what didn't, and what I’d do differently if I started from scratch today. I’ll return to this overview and link to each one as it goes live.
1. Core Beliefs
These principles keep me grounded when everything feels noisy or uncertain. They are the values behind every decision I make and every tool I share. They are also my non-negotiables, or lines I won't cross.
2. Core Questions
Reflection prompts help me gut-check decisions and sort through the noise. Whether it’s asking, “Does this feel like mine?” or “What do I need less of right now?”, these questions bring me back, especially when the advice sounds smart but doesn’t sit right. The reflection prompts are parts that I return to again and again when advice sounds good on paper but makes you a little queasy in the gut.
3. Filters
Systems, checklists, and mental balances are the key to everything in my life. From my days of RV travel, speaking at events, and all of my business ideas. If it isn't flexible, clear, or sustainable, out it goes.
4. The Process
This is the backbone of DigiNav: reflect → test → refine → integrate → share. It’s not about building fast. It’s about building better. The important parts that sometimes get overlooked in the perfection process.
5. Suggested Paths
We don’t all start at the same point. This section breaks down common entry points, such as burnout recovery, creative rebuilding, or transitioning from freelance work to founding a business.
6. Tools & Templates
What I actually use, why it works, and when it’s most helpful. No fluff, just real systems and experiments in motion. I've tested a lot of tools over the years, from simple to-do lists to intensive AI prompts.
Follow Along (or Catch Up Anytime)
If this sounds like the kind of journey you want to share, I’d love for you to come along.
I’ll be building this in the open, one piece at a time—with honesty, curiosity, and a little bit of unpolished magic.
The Digital Navigator HQ is for solopreneurs who want clarity, not chaos. Subscribe to get notified for each section of this series (and maybe a few surprises too).
Where are you in your journey right now? I’d love to hear what stage you’re navigating or what part still feels foggy. I’ll update this post as each new piece goes live.
The Digital Navigator HQ is for solopreneurs who want clarity, not chaos. Subscribe for fresh insights and behind-the-scenes updates as I build a business that actually fits.