This post may ruffle a few feathers, but I feel it’s important to share what I am observing and hearing.
As an entrpreneur for 33 years in May, I feel that professionals need to sit in the observer’s chair to see another perspective.
I always try to support as many local businesses in my city as I can. I prefer the connection and enjoy that someone knows my name and I am not a transaction.
I have loved being an entrpreneur for 33 years and wouldn’t change one thing. The rewards are worth the challenges.
Lessons after 33 years – Discipline and structure are key to daily performance. Focus and clarity keep me grounded in my ‘why’ and grow each year. Kindness always wins! Heart-Centered leadership has and will always be my brand and behaviour.
I came across this beautiful post in the middle of the pandemic and wanted to repost it. There was no name listed. Kudos to the courageous entrepreneur who wrote it. ❤️
The unfortunate truth of owning and running a business.
Running a business is really hard.
What they don’t tell you is that it can cause severe stress and anxiety, and drains you mentally to the point of depression in even the most laid-back people.
People will talk about you, compare you to others, use you, they will view you as a service and not a person anymore.
Friends and family will expect discounts and people will value you and your hard work less than a big chain store.
You have to worry about if you forget to email/message someone back, are they going to think it was on purpose? Did you disappoint them? Will they hold that against you? When in reality you just can’t get to everyone’s messages and emails.
Starting up and running a successful business puts incredible strain on personal lives and relationships, many of which fail because there is just often no work life balance.
You need to be the director, the worker, the admin, the marketing team, the accountant, the cleaner….. All whilst being a parent, a husband or a wife, family support, friend… it’s one of the hardest things you will try and balance.
There’s a reason you don’t see many people succeed in small businesses after 5 years. If they are successful they are overwhelmed. It takes a toll. It’s freaking exhausting. Especially the past couple of years when so much has been out of our control.
Here’s a small reminder that we are just normal people with hectic lives. Be kind, be patient, support small businesses…….and hopefully more of us will stick around!
