During my years as a business owner, I have been tempted many times to just stop. Especially in the early days when it seemed like I was spitting into the wind day in and day out. No matter what I did, few people were listening and even fewer were buying. There were times when I pulled back some in order to regroup and stop the hemorrhage of money and frustration, but I never stopped. And I think that's a chief reason why I'm still in business today.
You see, as hard as it is to actually start a business, compared to managing the day to day responsibilities, starting out is a virtual cake walk. The real work begins once the business actually exists, and you have to plug away day after day, month after month, with little return.
But as hard at that is, it's even more difficult to re-start a business after months of stopping. That's why my advice to you is, whatever you do, don't stop. There will be times when money is tight. There will be times when you reach the end of your rope and just want to give up.
But unless you affirmatively decide to go out of business, try to do something each week, even a small thing, to lead your business during hard times so that when they end, you're not stuck having to start a business all over again from scratch.
Question: Have you ever refused to stop, and now credit that decision with saving your business? Have you ever stopped, and had to start all over again and now wish you had kept things going, even on a tiny scale? I'd love to know what your expriences are like so that, whatever they are, we can encourage and lift each other up.
dM, this is so true. For years I had a business while my “real” job was taking care of two small children. Every time I compared my progress with contemporaries, I was depressed…why was I still in the same place, feeling like I was treading water while everyone else was going so fast? Of course, most of these people didn’t have children!
I kept plugging along, reminding myself that I’d have ten years of business experience once my kids were both in school. It has always taken me longer to get where I wanted to be, but I wouldn’t change anything. It’s important to work hard, and work smart, but most important is to work consistently. (Think of Dory from Finding Nemo…”Just keep swimming, just keep swimming!!)
Thanks for the reminder!
dM, this is so true. For years I had a business while my “real” job was taking care of two small children. Every time I compared my progress with contemporaries, I was depressed…why was I still in the same place, feeling like I was treading water while everyone else was going so fast? Of course, most of these people didn’t have children!
I kept plugging along, reminding myself that I’d have ten years of business experience once my kids were both in school. It has always taken me longer to get where I wanted to be, but I wouldn’t change anything. It’s important to work hard, and work smart, but most important is to work consistently. (Think of Dory from Finding Nemo…”Just keep swimming, just keep swimming!!)
Thanks for the reminder!
Oh my gosh, I love that you tell it like it is… lately, I’ve been seeing lots and lots of “make tons of money without working hard!”
First off – being in business is hard work. I work hard, and I’m proud to tell people that.
Second, that puts so much pressure on new or existing businesses – that maybe they’re doing it wrong because they ARE working hard and still aren’t making a lot of money.
Being in business for yourself is this blissful mix of love, contentment, overjoyed satisfaction, stress, hard work, sweat, tears, and passion (not necessarily in that order 😉 ).
Oh my gosh, I love that you tell it like it is… lately, I’ve been seeing lots and lots of “make tons of money without working hard!”
First off – being in business is hard work. I work hard, and I’m proud to tell people that.
Second, that puts so much pressure on new or existing businesses – that maybe they’re doing it wrong because they ARE working hard and still aren’t making a lot of money.
Being in business for yourself is this blissful mix of love, contentment, overjoyed satisfaction, stress, hard work, sweat, tears, and passion (not necessarily in that order 😉 ).
I know this feeling all to well. You have hit the nail on the head. When I feel like giving up, I slow down and work from home for a few days and network, go online to indie beauty network and get inspired and motivated by other indies. I make sure I do something even if it’s something small.
I know this feeling all to well. You have hit the nail on the head. When I feel like giving up, I slow down and work from home for a few days and network, go online to indie beauty network and get inspired and motivated by other indies. I make sure I do something even if it’s something small.
You have made a key point! My client right now has just had to make some changes in her business, but these changes allow her to keep going and make lemonade out of the lemons we are handed in this market.
You have made a key point! My client right now has just had to make some changes in her business, but these changes allow her to keep going and make lemonade out of the lemons we are handed in this market.