039- Being a small business owner is HARD

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If you've ever owned your own business, you know what I am about to say is the truth! Being a business owner is not for the faint of heart. It's hard and frustrating and challenging and rewarding all at the same time. Its kind of like a roller coaster- unexpected twists, turns, and the occasional upside down spiral that can make you question your life choices, maybe on a daily basis.

Why do we go into business for ourselves? MOST of the time, I think the initial thoughts are some combination of the following:

I don't want to work for anyone else. -OR-

I want to be in charge of my own schedule. -OR-

I think I can make more money being on my own.

Business owners have to be the ultimate multitaskers, managing everything from financials, budgeting, marketing, customer service and (if applicable) employee relations. Finding a balance between work and personal life (balance??? what's that???) becomes quite a task, and burnout is always hovering. And if you don't know how to do something, you either have to pay someone to teach you, or you have to figure it out yourself. Personally, I've spent many hours and dollars doing both of these things. Sometimes, actually very often, it's money well spent to have someone teach you how to do something.

On the flip side, outsourcing is also a great option. I should really follow my own advice, but it really is okay to hire someone to handle parts of your business. I'm looking into outsourcing a few things in my office. While its very scary to consider doing this, I'm slowly coming to the realization that there are just parts of what I do that I don't love. Why not let someone else do those things?

Let's not overlook the financial ups and downs. You might start out living on ramen noodles and dreams. Then, just as you start to see some success, a recession hits, or a global pandemic throws a wrench into your plans. Sound familiar? I think we can all agree that the past 2-3 years have been the craziest, unbelievable time in our lives to be in business.

Are there sleepless nights? Yep, sometimes there are. And it's not always for something huge. My overthinking brain sometimes wants to rehash things from the day that I wish I would've done differently. Sometimes its just a matter of counting worries instead of sheep. From payroll and taxes, keeping up with the ever-changing industry, and the to-do list never seems to end. And let's not even get started on the anxiety brought on by the fear of failure that lurks where we can't see it.

While I was doing a little research for this post, I came across something that had never really occurred to me. Loneliness. Being a business owner can feel incredibly lonely. You might feel like you're stranded on a deserted island, with only your thoughts and a laptop for company. Sure, you might have a team, but the weight of decision-making rests squarely on your shoulders. And on a related note, the imposter syndrome can easily sneak in during these lonely times.

Despite all the challenges, many people still want to be business owners. It's like riding the biggest, baddest rollercoaster in the amusement park – you scream, you laugh, you get nauseous, and sometimes you tighten the seatbelt, close your eyes, and just hope for the best. The highs are exhilarating, but the lows can be downright heart-wrenching. So, why do we put ourselves through this? Because deep down, we have a vision, a passion, and a (sometimes) unexplainable drive to create something meaningful. To make a difference.

Are you a business owner? Did I accurately capture the feelings you sometimes have? Don't give up. Stick with it. Make yourself proud!