Most business owners believe that the more products or services they offer, the more successful they’ll be. The more revenue they will bring in.
But what if I told you that holding onto the wrong product could actually be draining your time, energy, and profit… even without you realising it?
I’ve been there. I’ve held onto products and services for way too long, convinced that one day they’d take off — only to realise they were costing me far more than they were bringing in.
So, today, I’m walking you through seven signs to discontinue a product or service that’s secretly holding you back. And I’ll share what to do instead so your offers actually work together and create a smooth path for your ideal clients to follow.
The Time I Sunsetted a 6-Figure Service
For over 20 years, I offered 1:1 mentoring to women just getting started with their businesses or looking to scale.
I’ve always been a huge believer in mentoring, it’s played a massive role in my own success, and I believe it should be a cornerstone in business development.
At first, this model worked well. We provided four mentoring sessions to help women move their businesses forward. But then, demand started increasing, and we would be completely booked out. We had to bring on more mentors, and suddenly, my focus shifted.
Instead of mentoring and supporting women business owners, I started to feel responsible for filling the mentors’ spots, keeping the program running, and making sure everyone was happy. It became too much. It felt like a burden, and the model wasn’t scalable.
So, we cut it.
Instead, I decided to offer mentoring only inside our HerBusiness Boardroom program, our high-level mastermind. And you know what? The women in that program now get BETTER results because they’re not just getting mentorship — they’re getting strategy, leadership training, financial training and opportunities to collaborate with other women business owners who truly understand what it’s like to operate at that level.
By switching to this model, I was able to provide better quality mentoring, free up time, and remove the stress of maintaining an unscalable product.
That’s what happens when you’re willing to let go of what isn’t working and create space for something better and more profitable.
7 Key Signs to Discontinue a Product or Service
1. You Feel Relief at the Thought of Cutting It
If you’ve been debating whether to let go of a product, do this with me:
Close your eyes and imagine that the product is already gone.
No more promoting it.
No more stressing about how to make it work.
No more dealing with the clients it brings in.
How do you feel?
If the first feeling that hits is relief, that’s your answer.
A product that drains you will eventually drain your business too. If your work starts to feel like a chore, it’s time to reevaluate. The best businesses are built around what you love, what flows naturally, and what is scalable.
2. It’s Selling… But Not Scaling
This is a sneaky one. The product might technically make money, but it could be maxed out.
Take my 1:1 mentoring example. We had solid demand, but every time we tried to expand, we hit a ceiling. More clients meant more mentors, which meant more admin work, management, and moving pieces. Less time doing what I actually loved — mentoring and supporting women in our community.
If a product won’t scale without massive effort, it’s time to rethink it.
Ask yourself:
- Could I double my customers without doubling my workload?
- Am I spending more time delivering this than growing my business?
- Is this a one-off sale, or does it naturally lead to something bigger?
3. It Takes More Time & Effort Than It Gives Back
A great product should be a two-way street — it should give as much as it takes.
If something is taking 40% of your time but only bringing in 2% of your revenue, that’s a problem.
Ask yourself:
- Does this product drain me or energise me?
- If I stopped selling this today, would it actually impact my income?
- Is this the best use of my time, or is there a better way I could serve my ideal clients?
4. You Have to Sell Too Hard to Get Customers
If you have to work too hard to convince people to buy, it might not be a sales problem; it might be a product problem.
Your best products should sell with less resistance when positioned correctly.
Ask yourself:
- Am I forcing this product on my audience?
- Do people instantly see the value, or do I have to work too hard to explain it?
- Could I replace this with a product that sells more easily?
5. You’re Holding Onto It Just Because You’ve Invested So Much Into It
It is a common belief that because you’ve spent so much time, energy, and money on something, you must keep it.
But just because you’ve spent time on something doesn’t mean you should keep spending more.
6. Your Products Don’t Flow Together
Your offers should feel like a smooth journey for your customers — not a random mix of products.
If your products don’t naturally lead into each other, you’re making it harder for people to keep buying from you.
7. You Love It… But It Doesn’t Fit in Your Business Model
Sometimes, you have a brilliant product idea. You love it. It’s exciting.
But it doesn’t fit into your business. It doesn’t lead to your other offers. It’s not aligned with your brand’s direction.
If it’s not contributing to your business goals, it might be time to park it for later—or let it go entirely.
Discontinuing a Product or Service Does NOT Mean Failure
Letting go of a product isn’t a failure; it’s a strategy many other businesses use all the time. Even the biggest brands have retired products that didn’t work.
If you recognise these signs to discontinue a product or service in something you’re currently offering, it might be time to let it go. Create space for something better.
And, if you’d like to get more resources and support around your business and connect with other women business owners who GET you, feel free to join the HerBusiness Network waitlist here.
