When Goodbye Means Growth: The Unexpected Upside of Letting Go

Let’s be honest: losing a client can sting.

It doesn’t matter whether the decision is mutual, theirs, or yours—when a client walks away,

it can feel like a punch to the gut. Especially if they’ve been with you a long time, especially if you did your best work, and especially if your team went above and beyond to deliver exceptional service.

That’s exactly what happened to us recently at Executive Errands®.

We’ve provided rental support services for years, handling the late-night calls, weekend issues, guest complaints, and the endless, never-quite-right scheduling of cleaners and vendors. At one point, it was a major part of our business. But about two years ago, we made a strategic decision:we stopped offering rental support services to new clients.

Why? Because the numbers didn’t pencil out.

It turns out that 24-hour coverage (especially over weekends) is expensive, exhausting, and a massive distraction from the parts of our business that are actually profitable, sustainable, and aligned with our values. Rental support took up a disproportionate amount of time and attention compared to the revenue it brought in. So, we cut it loose. Well—mostly.

We kept just two long-standing rental clients who also used a wide range of our other Lifestyle Management services. They were wonderful clients, and we stayed with them because they were part of the fabric of our company. But then something happened.

The First Break

One of the two rental clients became increasingly unresponsive. Requests would go unanswered, confirmations weren’t coming in, and the collaboration we relied on to serve her guests simply wasn’t there anymore.

We wrestled with the decision, but in the end, we knew what we had to do: we fired her.

It was professional and polite, but clear. We were no longer a fit. 

It was hard—but not as hard as we thought it would be. In fact, it felt like a weight had lifted. That was the first sign that we were heading in the right direction.

 

The Final Goodbye

A week ago, the last remaining rental client—our longest-standing one—let us know she was making a change. She had decided to move to a new management arrangement, and just like that, we were out of the rental business for good.

Honestly, it hit hard. She had been with us for many years. We had history. She trusted us with her home, her guests, her reputation. Losing that kind of relationship leaves a mark.

 But once the shock wore off, we had a realization:

We were never really built for rental support.

This wasn’t a loss. It was a release. It was the universe giving us a final nudge to fully align with who we are and how we serve.

 The End of an Era… and the Start of a Better One

The departure of our last rental client marked the official end of an era at Executive Errands®—and the beginning of a much clearer, more focused business model. 

No more weekend panic calls. No more scrambling to clean a house between back-to-back bookings. No more absorbing the stress of guest reviews or unrealistic expectations.

We’re not Airbnb managers. We’re not hotel front desk staff. And we certainly aren’t a 24-hour concierge service for vacationers.

We are a Lifestyle Management company—and that means we support homeowners, not short-term renters. Our clients are people who want quality, consistency, and peace of mind. They want their homes cared for, their projects managed, and their lives simplified.

 

Letting go of the last vestige of rental support allows us to do exactly that, with no distractions and no compromises.

So, Why Is This a Good Thing?

 When you’re in the thick of it, losing a client can feel like a red flag—like something went wrong.

But here’s what we’ve learned:

1. It Creates Space

When a misaligned client leaves, you gain back time, energy, and resources you can pour into the clients and services that do align with your vision. The right clients will always come when you have space to serve them.

2. It Forces Clarity

Every goodbye is a moment to ask: What kind of business am I really building? This final rental departure helped us see, once and for all, that our true purpose lies elsewhere.

3. It Boosts Morale

When your team no longer has to bend over backwards for services that drain them, morale improves. We’ve already seen renewed energy and enthusiasm from our staff now that they’re focusing on what they do best.

4. It Reinforces Boundaries

Saying goodbye—especially when it’s your decision—is a powerful act of self-respect in business. It says: We know who we are, and we’re not going to stretch ourselves to be something we’re not.

Take This Lesson for Your Own Business

If you’re holding onto a client, service, or offering that no longer fits, ask yourself:

• Is this draining more resources than it’s worth?
• Am I only keeping this out of habit or fear?
• Does this align with the business I’m trying to build?

If the answers are yes, yes and no, maybe it’s time to say goodbye too.

You don’t have to serve everyone. You don’t have to be everything to everyone. And sometimes, letting go of a client is the best thing you can do—for you, your team, and your future.

At Concierge Business Solutions®, We Help You Build a Business That Fits YOU

 

Want help designing a business that aligns with your strengths, values, and goals? That’s exactly what we do.

Check out our educational program, Freedom by Design: How to Build a Business That Runs Itself, available now at: Learn Concierge Business Solutions

Or tune in to our podcast, Twisted, Bent and Exhausted – The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Sanity and Success, where we talk honestly (and often hilariously) about the real-life wins and losses of running a small business. Listen on Spotify or YouTube – just search for Twisted, Bent and Exhausted.

Final Word

Losing a client doesn’t always mean failure. Sometimes, it’s the universe whispering, “It’s time to grow.”

Here’s to letting go—and growing forward.