Lessons From Five Years of Running a Forensic Business

Erin and Ashley, co-owners of Gap Science, celebrating five years of lessons from running a forensic business. They stand in front of a blue sparkly backdrop, wearing purple 'Be the Leader' t-shirts, with silver balloons displaying '5 YEARS'.

Running a forensic business presents unique challenges, from financial management to building a trusted brand in the forensic community. In this episode of Forensics Unfiltered, we reflect on five years of growth, sharing key forensic business lessons and strategies that helped us succeed.

As we celebrate five years of growth, innovation, and learning, it’s important to reflect on both the successes and the challenges that have shaped our journey. In this episode of Forensics Unfiltered, we dive into the pivotal moments that defined our business, from financial lessons to strategic decisions that made all the difference.

Listen in before diving into the lessons learned below!

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Lessons Learned the Hard Way

One of the biggest takeaways from our journey has been understanding the financial realities of running a forensic business. Managing finances, making smart investments, and learning from financial missteps have been crucial aspects of our growth.

1. Financial Management and Business Costs

  • Some business decisions led to unexpected financial drains. From purchasing tools we didn’t end up using to underestimating operational costs, we learned the importance of budgeting wisely.
  • Outsourcing tasks that don’t bring joy or consume too much time has been a game-changer. While we started as DIY enthusiasts, we realized that delegation is key to scaling effectively.

2. The Power of Adaptability

  • Business isn’t a straight path—it’s filled with twists and turns. Some projects worked, others flopped, but each provided valuable insights.
  • Staying adaptable and pivoting when necessary has allowed us to overcome setbacks and refine our strategies.

3. Work-Life Balance Matters

  • Running a forensic business can mean erratic hours, constant problem-solving, and wearing multiple hats. It’s easy to get caught up in the grind.
  • Establishing boundaries, setting realistic expectations, and prioritizing personal well-being have helped us maintain a sustainable pace.

Wins That Made the Struggles Worth It

While challenges are inevitable, the victories make it all worthwhile. From building a strong community to launching impactful training programs, our journey has been filled with rewarding milestones.

1. Building a Trusted Brand

  • A key factor in forensic business success is building a trusted brand. Over the years, we’ve established a reputation for delivering high-quality forensic training and resources.
  • Creating a brand that resonates with forensic professionals has been a fulfilling achievement.

2. Seeing the Impact of Our Work

  • Watching forensic professionals apply what they’ve learned from our programs and succeed in their careers is incredibly rewarding.
  • Hearing stories of how our resources have helped solve real-world forensic challenges motivates us to keep going.

3. Creating a Supportive Forensic Community

  • One of the most unexpected but rewarding aspects of running a forensic business has been building a network of forensic professionals who support and uplift each other.
  • Having a community that shares experiences, insights, and encouragement has been invaluable.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Our Forensic Business

As we move forward, our focus remains on continuous improvement, innovation, and providing even more value to the forensic community. Whether it’s through enhanced training programs, new resources, or fresh collaborations, we are excited about the road ahead.

Final Thoughts

Running a forensic business has been a rollercoaster ride of successes, failures, and invaluable lessons. If there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that resilience, adaptability, and a passion for forensic science make all the difference.

Want to hear more forensic business lessons, including what worked, what didn’t, and how to grow a forensic business successfully? Scroll up to listen to the full episode of Forensics Unfiltered now! But we’re not done yet—check out Part 2 of our conversation here for even more insights on balancing a forensic business and personal life.

About the experts:

Hey there.
We're Erin & Ashley!

We’re forensic professionals turned educators, passionate about helping forensic teams become better leaders. Through eCourses and online resources, we bridge the gaps we wish had been filled when we stepped into leadership roles—making the journey smoother for the next generation of forensic leaders.

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Hey There, We're Erin & Ashley!

We’re forensic professionals turned educators who have spent years in the trenches of crime scenes and forensic labs. Now, we help forensic teams navigate leadership, avoid common pitfalls, and build efficient workflows. Whether you’re processing evidence or managing a team, we’ve got your back!

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Before you get any further... hey! We're erin and Ashley!

We build training courses and online resources to help forensic professionals become better leaders.

We like to “fill in the gaps” by creating a training course that we wished we had as newly promoted supervisors to help make the transition in our leadership roles easier.

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