It’s not easy being a small business owner.
Before we start, let me clear. This blog is not intended as a moan.
I love my small business, but there are times you do start to wonder whether it’s all worth it (it is by the way) and I think it’s important that customers have a little insight into how different (and complex) the “behind the scenes” of a small business is, compared to the “big guys”, with their big budgets, buying power and empires of employees. And this is nothing against those “big guys” – they have their place, but the small and the big cannot be compared like for like….
This may be based mostly on my own experience – but I know from fellow business owners that I am not alone.
Most sole traders are not only the creator of the product or service, they are the accounts, business development, customer service, logistics, sales and marketing departments too.
There are accounts, tax returns and insurance policies to prepare and renew. Websites and online shops to maintain. Vehicles to maintain to deliver goods to stockists or craft events. (And donlt forget the time spent finding those events – as well as attending them).
I am sure that list could go on.
These past few months (maybe years) there have also been added worries about delivery delays, problems getting supplies and the rise in costs of, well, just about everything.
Most small business owners also have homes to upkeep (you know – laundry to do, cooking cleaning, bills) and families to look after.
Some (like me) also have other jobs which they may need or want for various reasons.
For many, it’s because small business profit margins can be very small, for some another job offers a little more stablity in this increasingly crazy world and for some it’s because that other job is something worth while and they simply want to keep doing it.
Actually, I almost forgot this one – sometimes – it’s just a reason to get out and meet other humans. It can be lonely as a sole trader in particular – working on their own all of the time.
This means that a small business owner rarely has time to stop – or even slow down. They have to be meticulously organised and often their days are planned to the minute.
And if just one of the planned elements goes off course – the impact on that small business owner can be huge.
Not just disruptive to the business, but to the indvidual. The person who has been spinning plates and juggling things for so long.
When one plate crashes down, they might simply not have the energy to pick up those pieces and get back to spinning and juggling.
That’s when they start to wonder if it really is all worth it. But of course, for many it is.
The business started out from a passion, and that passion is still in there somewhere. It is just a little lost amongst the admin, accounts and social media posts.
That’s when a small business owner has to take a long hard look at everything. That’s when they realise something may have to give a little. They need some time to go back to basics, to remember why they started all this – and find their passion again.
And that’s where I am. Slowing down. Thinking about where it all started – what I loved most – and figuring out if I am still doing that.
The first thing to change is my social media presence. For the last few years I have posted almost every single day, sometimes multiple times a day – but that is very difficult to keep up. So if you follow me over on Insta and Facebook that’s one thing you will notice (you may already have wondered where I am!). I am cutting that back to perhaps twice a week (Still to be decided).
You may also notice a slight change in my products. I started out created hand illustrated, personlised items – lots of name illustrations and personalised cards. I think I may want to go back to that (although, I am still working that out).
Although I may not be on “the socials” as much I will be here, in the studio – sketching, creating and of course wlecoming commissions – so please don’t forget me.
You can continue to support me by switching on notifications on Insta and Facebook so you know when I post – and also by signing up to my email list.
And, I will hopefully see some of you at in person craft events – something I enjoyed returning to in 2022.
So – if you are a small business owner. Hang on in there – you are not alone, and you can do this. In fact – reach out to me, or someone in your own network – a problem shared is a problem halved as they say.
If you are a customer (of any small business) please understand the presssures those businesses may be under, and support them in any way you can. That doesn’t always mean spending either, as we understand not everyone can at the moment.
Perhaps share their social media posts, or links to their blogs. Simply liking or commenting on a post can be a huge boost – both to the algorithms that control who else sees things and to the person behind that business.
If the business has a website – visit it, have a browse, even if you don’t buy anything. Google notices and realises that others may want to see it to, so bump it up the ladder (Yep – they too have an algorithm).
If you have reached the end of this blog – thank you. You clearly are a true supporter of small bisiness owners and I can tell you that we appreciate each and every one of you!
I am going to make myself a very strong coffee and see if I can figure out what to do next…..
Lots of Love, Jac xx
