The Champagne, the Urinal Cakes, and the Reality of Small Business

On a marquee birthday a few years before opening my first business, I was gifted a fancy bottle of champagne. Instead of opening it, I tucked it away in my beer fridge, saving it for a “someday” moment. I was in the early days of planning that business and thought, one day, I’ll have something truly amazing to celebrate when I open those doors.

Years went by, and that bottle stayed unopened. It never felt like the right time.

Then finally, after many, many, many delays, we officially opened. But by the time that day came, I’ll be honest: I already felt like a half-beaten horse. Just getting to the starting line had taken so much out of me. And here’s what hit me almost immediately: opening wasn’t the end point. It was the beginning of an entirely new, exhausting chapter.

Instead of battling the city for permits, now I was ordering urinal cakes for the men’s bathroom. (By the way, once you order “urinal cakes” online, the algorithm will not let you forget it, those ads will follow you forever).

Needless to say, it didn’t feel like the right time to pop champagne. I was winging it the best I could; seeking advice, watching others, doing everything possible to stay afloat. But there were no real resources out there for “already-opened” businesses.

That gap, that lack of support, is exactly why Profit Rebels exists.

Because the truth is: opening your doors isn’t the finish line, it’s the start. And small business owners need guidance in those messy middle stages. From the obvious to the overlooked. Yes, your fitness gym has weights, mirrors, and sanitizing spray, but did you think about a way to tell customers about your upcoming New Year's special? Or those urinal cakes?

Profit Rebels exists to help you navigate that reality. To remind you that while you’re pouring your energy into serving your customers, someone else can help you see the bigger picture, plan ahead, and focus on what will actually grow your business.

And that champagne? I did finally drink it. I brought it along to my bachelorette party with my sister and sister-in-laws. It may not have been the celebration I originally envisioned, but looking back, it was the perfect reminder that milestones come in all shapes and sizes.