How to Survive and Thrive in Your First Year of Business
Starting a business is a bold move. But making it through your first year? That takes strategy, resilience, and a willingness to learn. Just ask Judy Pagryzinski, owner of Core (LP) Fitness in Berkley and Rochester Hills, an MWF loan client and winner of MWF’s WomanUp & Pitch competition.
“I started my business with one machine in my basement during the height of the pandemic,” she says. “Now I have two brick-and-mortar locations and a growing team. But it wasn’t easy getting here.”
Judy shared her top lessons from those early months, and how entrepreneurs can set themselves up for success.
1. Start Small and Grow Intentionally
The biggest misconception Judy sees in new entrepreneurs is the pressure to go big from the beginning.
“People think they need the perfect studio, the fancy equipment, or a full buildout right away,” she says. “But that can crush your cash flow before you ever make a sale.”
Instead, she recommends starting lean and using demand to guide your growth. She began with just one client and one piece of equipment, working around her full-time job.
“I grew slowly and intentionally,” she says. “When I couldn’t keep up with client demand, that’s when I knew I was ready for the next step.”
2. Prioritize Cash Flow Over Curation
Social media can make it look like everyone is running a picture-perfect business, but Judy warns against prioritizing aesthetics over finances.
“You don’t need to look like a Pinterest board to build a great business,” she says. “Focus on customer experience, not cosmetics.”
She also emphasizes budgeting carefully and preparing for the unexpected. “Always add at least 10% on top of any construction or equipment quote,” she advises. “There are always surprise costs.”
And when it comes to loans? “Don’t treat it like free money. It’s not,” she says. “Loans can help you grow, but they come with responsibility. Take only what you truly need.”
3. Build Systems from Day One
“If your goal is to scale, your systems need to scale too,” Judy says. “Start documenting everything you do. Every process. Every platform.”
From responding to leads to managing schedules, building workflows early allowed her to eventually delegate and grow her team.
“Don’t wait until you’re overwhelmed,” she says. “Treat your business like it’s bigger than you from the start.”
4. Surround Yourself with Smart People
“You don’t know what you don’t know,” Judy says. “But someone else does. Find them.”
In her first year, Judy leaned on mentors, consultants, and fellow business owners to learn everything from managing cash flow to reading a profit and loss sheet.
“I went to every networking event I could find. I hired professionals. I asked questions constantly,” she says. “Get in the room with people who are doing what you want to do.”
She also found support through Michigan Women Forward, where she secured a microloan and won funding through the WomanUp & Pitch competition.
5. Accept That Mistakes Are Part of the Journey
“There’s no way around it — you’re going to mess up,” Judy says. “And that’s OK.” Rather than view mistakes as failures, she sees them as critical learning moments.
“As a former teacher, I believe in learning through experience. Every misstep helped me grow. And honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing.”
6. Focus on Why You Started
When times get tough (and they will), Judy leans on her purpose.
“Some weeks I question everything. But then I remember the client who closed a two-inch ab separation after five years of pain. That’s why I do this.”
She recommends keeping those moments close — the testimonials, the breakthroughs, the milestones — to carry you through the hard days.
“Your dream will be tested. But if you stay connected to your ‘why,’ you’ll have the strength to keep going.”
Final Thoughts
Judy’s last piece of advice? Keep a cushion.
“Aim to have at least three to six months of operating expenses in savings,” she says. “It’s not always possible, but it can protect you when things don’t go as planned.” And above all, don’t go it alone.
“Find your people. Lean on your resources. And don’t be afraid to ask for help. That’s how you survive your first year — and set yourself up to thrive in the years ahead.”
Get the support you need to grow your business. Learn more about Michigan Women Forward’s microloans and pitch competition at miwf.org.
