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Hi there! I'm Molly: small town enthusiast, digital marketer, and mom of 4, passionate about helping local, small businesses thrive. Stick around to learn how YOU can flourish while living and doing business in a small town.

molly knuth

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The Best Business Moves I Made in 2025 (And None of Them Were What You’d Expect)

I’ve made a lot of decisions in my business this year. Some were strategic. Others were scary. But when I reflect on what really moved the needle in 2025, it wasn’t a shiny new marketing funnel or a viral reel—it was me.

The inner work. The hidden shifts. The “soft skills” that don’t always make it into boardrooms but change everything behind the scenes.

Let’s break them down:


1. Confidence (Even if It Starts with Hair Extensions)

In January, I finally did something that had been on my bucket list for years: I got hair extensions.

And no—it didn’t change my business on paper. But it changed me. I felt more confident walking into meetings. I held my head higher on camera. I started showing up differently. And that ripple effect translated into bigger moves, bolder decisions, and more visibility.

Confidence compounds. And often, it starts with something that simply helps you feel good in your skin.


2. Curiosity (Asking “What If?”)

I said no to things that drained me and yes to things that sparked my interest—even if they didn’t make sense on paper. I asked: What if this could look different?

This mindset led to new coaching relationships, role shifts, and personal clarity. It was a year of investing in energy rather than outcomes, and it paid off in peace, growth, and alignment.


3. Creativity (For Fun, Not for Profit)

I gave myself permission to play. I journaled. I prayed. I read fiction. I created for the sake of creating.

And what happened? I wrote better emails. I recorded richer podcasts. I started outlining new projects—not because I “should,” but because I wanted to.

Turns out, your brain on art is a powerful business strategy.


4. Connection (The People Around You Matter Most)

You really are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. This year, I reevaluated my relationships—family, friends, clients, mentors—and made sure they aligned with the kind of person and leader I want to be.

When in doubt, lean into people.


5. Control (Or, Letting Go of It)

Here’s the most radical move I made: I let go.

Of the idea of what a “real” entrepreneur looks like.
Of contracts that didn’t fit anymore.
Of working 24/7.
Of needing to make a certain amount of money by a certain time.

And you know what? My business grew—but more importantly, so did I.


The Bottom Line

The best business moves I made in 2025 didn’t live on a spreadsheet—they lived in my body, my energy, my heart.

They were about trust, not tactics.
Expansion, not exhaustion.
And evolution, not ego.

What soft shift could you make right now to support your next season?

🎧 As heard on the podcast:

Fall Empowerment Communities with The Restoration Project are open for enrollment! Join Molly in one of two small, powerful groups for leadership-driven women ready to grow in community — Connect to Something Greater and dive into the book Mary Magdalene Revealed or participate in Lead with Love, a multimedia, multi-month journey exploring how we can lead in a grounded, loving way.  ✨ Spots are limited — learn more here: https://www.the-restorationproject.com/empowerment-communities/ 💌 Want more behind-the-scenes real talk from Molly?

Subscribe to Founder’s Field Notes — her free weekly email full of business wisdom, storytelling, and the messy middle of being a founder. It’s honest, inspiring, and a little rebellious (just like this podcast).

✨ Join the list: https://mkm.myflodesk.com/email

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Hi there! I'm Molly: small town enthusiast, digital marketer, and mom of 4, passionate about helping local, small businesses thrive. Stick around to learn how YOU can flourish while living and doing business in a small town.

molly knuth

Meet the blogger