Monday, November 09, 2026

US owners lose 33 working days a year to financial stress (Xero, 2026). Sean Ellis's North Star Metric shows SME owners how to grow without it costing their evenings.

The short answer: Making It Happen is a self-paced online masterclass for owners who already have a plan and are not finishing it. It costs US$297, one payment, with a 30-day money-back guarantee. It is not the right first step if your problem is finding customers, or if you want a person checking in on you every week.

A disclosure first: Simple-Growth publishes this program, so this is a vendor's description. The facts below come from the live sales page, read on 11 November 2026. Market: United States. Last updated 11 November 2026.

What Is Inside

The sales page lists video training, pre-made templates, a key points summary, real-world examples from big brands and small businesses, and Kevin D'Ambros-Smith's hard-learned tips, with instant digital access. It does not state a total running time or lesson count, so ask before you buy if that matters to you.

  • Beat procrastination: stop stalling and start finishing what matters.
  • Master productivity systems: apply proven systems in your business.
  • Prioritize what matters: focus on the most important tasks.
  • Implement strategy: turn strategy into action.
  • Build accountability: foster accountability across your team.
  • Get it done: practical tips and habits for finishing important work.

Who It Suits, And Who Should Skip It

  • It suits you if you have a plan that is not turning into results, if your team waits for you to decide and chase, or if you want a method and templates you can use this week at your own pace.
  • Skip it if you have no clear strategy yet. Start with a free call or Know Your Future (US$497).
  • Skip it if your biggest problem is getting more leads or sales. Quick Wins (US$97) is the better first step.
  • Skip it if you want a person holding you to account weekly. A self-paced course will not do that.
  • Skip it if you will not make time to watch it. Courses only work when they are used.

How It Compares

OptionCostBest forWeak point
Making It HappenUS$297, one paymentTurning an existing plan into routines and accountabilitySelf-paced, no live coach
A productivity bookLowIdeas and inspirationNo templates built for your business, no support
A peer group or an operating system such as EOSQuoted on requestStructure and outside accountabilityBigger commitment; ask for twelve-month costs in writing
One-to-one coachingQuoted after a free callA plan built around your constraint, with regular reviewLarger investment

Many owners use a program to get moving, then add coaching for more accountability. That is a choice, not a rule. If you are weighing a peer group, read how to choose between a peer group and a coach.

A 90-Day Plan To Use It

  • Days 1 to 14: do modules 1 to 3. Pick the three outcomes that matter most this quarter, each with a date and an owner.
  • Days 15 to 45: do modules 4 and 5. Set a weekly 30-minute review. Move one repeating task off your desk.
  • Days 46 to 90: do module 6. Keep the weekly review. Measure what changed: hours saved, jobs finished, deals closed.

Having The Tools Is Not The Same As Using Them

The US Census Bureau's Business Trends and Outlook Survey found that about 17% of US firms with fewer than 20 employees said they use AI, against about 30% of firms with 250 or more employees, as reported by the Minneapolis Fed (29 May 2026). The gap is not only about price or access. Smaller teams have less time to set tools up and make them stick, which is why a routine and a named owner for each priority matter as much as the tool.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take?

The sales page gives no total running time. It is self-paced, so you set the speed.

Is there a refund?

Yes. The page states a 30-day money-back guarantee: if it is not useful, ask for a refund.

Is it only for US owners?

It is written for ambitious SME owners in New Zealand and the USA.

What if I want more than a course?

Book a free 30-minute call with Kevin and talk through one-to-one options.

Pick the one priority you keep postponing. If you can name it and the plan is clear, Making It Happen is built for you. If you cannot name it, take the free call first.

Sources: Minneapolis Fed on US Census Bureau BTOS data (US firms by size, April 2026 supplement, reported 29 May 2026). Price, modules and guarantee from the live sales page, 11 November 2026. Results vary. Back to the growth tips hub.

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