Cutting ties with clients is tough. As business owners, we pour so much time, energy, and care into our work that the thought of walking away from any client can feel daunting—almost like we’re failing them. But let me tell you, letting go of certain clients can be one of the bravest, most confidence-boosting decisions you’ll ever make. It’s not just about survival; it’s about thriving. The risk you feel when “firing” a client comes from the fear of losing income or damaging relationships, but in reality, it’s often the step that frees you to focus on growing a healthier, more profitable business.

Why bravery is essential
It takes courage to admit that not all clients are good for your business. Some clients may drain your resources, demand more than they’re worth, or just never be satisfied no matter how much you bend over backward. But you feel obligated to keep them because they pay the bills—or at least part of them.

Here’s the thing: every minute you spend on a draining client is time you’re not investing in the clients who actually make your business stronger. The brave decision to cut ties with those clients is an act of service—to yourself, to your team, and to your best clients. When you create space, you open up room for growth.

Confidence through clarity
Once you understand who your top clients are, you can confidently prune away those who don’t fit your vision for the future. The Pumpkin Plan isn’t about making snap decisions based on gut feelings. It’s rooted in clear, objective assessments—both financial and emotional—of who your best clients are. This knowledge gives you the confidence to move forward.

When you take the time to do a Top Client Assessment, it becomes crystal clear which clients truly value your services and bring joy to your work. These are the ones who are willing to pay for quality, who respect your expertise, and who are loyal because they see the value in what you do. When you know that, letting go of the clients who don’t fit feels less like cutting ties and more like stepping into your power.

Step 1: Conduct a top client assessment

Take a look at your client base and ask yourself:
Who are your most profitable clients?
Which clients are easy to work with, and which ones make you dread opening your inbox?
Who pays on time without a fuss?
Who refers others to you?

By evaluating both the financial aspects (profitability, ease of service) and the emotional aspects (how you feel working with them), you can identify which clients are helping you grow—and which are holding you back.

Step 2: Build the confidence to pruneOnce you’ve identified your top clients, it’s time to focus on the hard part: pruning. This is where bravery and confidence really come into play. You might feel guilty about letting a client go, especially if you’ve worked with them for a long time or if you’re nervous about the financial impact. But here’s a mindset shift that has helped me and countless other entrepreneurs: you’re not abandoning them. You’re setting both of you free to find a better fit.

And it’s not just about cutting ties. It’s about freeing up time, energy, and resources to better serve the clients who truly value your work. Remember, for every client, you say “no” to open up space for a better client to say “yes.”

Step 3: Clone your best clients
Now, this is where the fun begins. Once you’ve done the hard work of pruning, you get to focus on the clients who light you up. These are the clients you want to clone.

Think about the characteristics that make your top clients the best fit for your business. Are they loyal, pay well, and bring in referrals? Then that’s what you’re looking for in future clients. The Pumpkin Plan teaches you how to identify what makes these clients stand out and how to attract more like them.

Start with your messaging. Make sure your marketing and outreach speak directly to the values and needs of your best clients. Use testimonials from your top clients in your marketing materials to attract more people like them. And most importantly, continue to nurture and appreciate your current top clients. Keep the communication strong, deliver excellent results, and let them know you value their loyalty.

Step 4: Reap the rewards
It’s scary to cut ties with clients, especially when you’re unsure of the financial outcome. But here’s what happens when you focus on your best clients: your business becomes more profitable, your work becomes more fulfilling, and your energy levels skyrocket. You’ll have more time to focus on high-value activities, and you’ll experience less stress because you’re no longer trying to serve everyone.

In my own journey and in the stories I hear from other entrepreneurs using The Pumpkin Plan, there’s a consistent theme: once they made the brave decision to cut ties with the wrong clients, everything changed. Their confidence grew, their businesses thrived, and their love for their work was reignited.

Final thoughts
Being brave in business doesn’t always mean taking on more or pushing harder. Sometimes, it means stepping back, letting go, and trusting that by doing so, you’re opening the door to something better. Confidence comes from clarity—knowing who your best clients are and trusting that by focusing on them, your business will thrive.

Wishing you health and wealth.

-Mike