At first glance, deciding to start a business from a simple conversation poolside may sound free-spirited and exciting. In real life, as any business owner will say, starting a business is overwhelming, all consuming, but also, incredibly rewarding.

No one hands you a rule-book when the concept starts to take flight—no road map detailing what to avoid or a pre-made list of people to contact when you’re in a pinch.

So Katie and I decided to make our own.

The two of us never imagined the rewards we’d find in starting our own business. Expressions of gratitude and looks of sheer relief on our clients’ faces never get old. Finding joy in working closely with clients in helping to make their lives simpler has far surpassed any challenge that may have felt insurmountable at one time.

Today we share more about what we wish we had known before beginning Blue Pencil Home. Perhaps this is a rough sketch of that road map we mentioned earlier. We never had a how-to guide, of course, but this may help others.

The people who have assisted us thus far are amazing. Their willingness to share their knowledge has taken away the pressure in our trying to know everything all the time.

Perhaps our notes will help someone who has a simple idea and a wild dream. You never know what may happen when you try.