I’ve been running my own small business for over 7 years now, and I’ve learned a lot along the way. I’ve also learned that there are a lot of challenges that small business owners face that they don’t often talk about publicly.
I can either look at challenges as setbacks or as necessary steps towards my dream.
- Feeling isolated and alone. When you’re a small business owner, you’re often the only one making decisions. You don’t have a team of people to bounce ideas off of or to help you through tough times. This can be incredibly isolating, and it can be easy to feel like you’re all alone.
- Dealing with financial uncertainty. Cash flow is always a challenge for small businesses. There are times when you’re flush with money, and there are times when you’re struggling to make ends meet. This can be incredibly stressful, and it can be hard to stay motivated when you’re not sure how you’re going to pay your bills.
- Feeling like a failure. There will be times when you make mistakes. There will be times when your business doesn’t go the way you planned. This is all part of the journey, but it can be hard to not beat yourself up when things don’t go your way.
- Losing your passion. It’s easy to lose your passion for your business when you’re faced with all of these challenges. It’s important to remember why you started your business in the first place, and to find ways to reignite your passion.
These are just a few of the challenges that small business owners face. It’s important to remember that you’re not alone, and that there are people who can help you through these challenges. There are resources available to help you with your finances, your marketing, and your business development. There are also communities of small business owners who can offer support and advice.
I attended three events in July. The most recent one of which was UNCTAD eTrade for Women Masterclass and it has truly been one of the most productive and empowering highlights of my 30-year career. My takeaways from the masterclass were invaluable. I was reminded that if you’re thinking about starting a small business, or if you’re already a small business owner, know that you’re not alone. There are challenges, but there are also rewards. If you’re passionate about your business, and if you’re willing to work hard, you can overcome any challenge.
Continuous Learning
We are reintroducing The Digital Skinny Workshop™ specifically designed for small and medium sized businesses who want to up-skill. Join me and my team on this 30-hour online or in-person workshop jam-packed with practical tips that you can apply to your business immediately!
- Goal-setting and KPIs
- Content and Social Media Strategy and Tactics
- Best Practices applied ‘Create-Your-First-Campaign’
Here are some tips for overcoming the challenges of small business ownership:
- Build a strong support network. Find other small business owners who can offer support and advice. There are also online communities and forums where you can connect with other small business owners.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are many resources available to help small businesses, including government programs, financial institutions, and business development organizations.
- Learn to let go of control. There are a lot of things that are out of your control. Learn to accept this and focus on the things that you can control.
- Take care of yourself. Running a small business can be stressful, so it’s important to take care of yourself both physically and mentally. Make sure you’re cultivating healthy habits.
- Never give up. There will be challenges along the way, but if you’re passionate about your business and you’re willing to work hard, you can overcome anything.
Sometimes, I feel like I did when I went free diving for the first time–jittery but excited, scared and thrilled at the same time. I am grateful I got to try it at least once to experience something that was going to change the way I look at uncertainty:
- keeping a strong mental game and support system
- staying calm and focused, even when things are uncomfortable
- having a willingness to learn and grow
I hope this blog post has inspired you to keep going, even when things get tough. Running a small business is not easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding. So don’t give up on your dreams!