On a good day in a good year during a good decade, owning a small business is hard. Brutal. Often terrifying. The last three years have taken that to the next level causing many entrepreneurs to feel isolated and alone wondering how they will be able to keep it all together. However, it can also be rewarding and fun and lifegiving. This cartoon depicts how it feels for us small business owners during any given day. I wish I could say that it was an exaggeration. At the time of writing this article, I am currently riding one of those highs and have the perspective to be able to share what has worked for me over the last ten years of owning this company.  

Do work you love.  

First and foremost, it really matters what you do for work. If you hate your work, I strongly encourage you to find something new. You aren’t happy, your family is likely unhappy, and your friends probably hate to talk about it, too. If you do work you love, it gets you through the hard days and the questions. In my faith, we call it following your calling. I firmly believe that my calling is at the intersection of small business, organizational health, and our fair city of Columbia. I get the absolute privilege of being able to work with small businesses every day and tell the stories of amazing people doing incredible things in our community. I keep going because I am called by God to. I keep going because I love it. Are you there?

Don’t do it alone.  

This is a very isolated world for small business owners. It can feel like you can’t talk to anyone about what is really happening, because if blood gets in the water, it will all be over. I’ll never forget the day I sat in front of my two bankers as life was especially difficult and listened to them tell me that I wasn’t alone. That statement alone had tears streaming down my face. They told me a couple of stories (with names withheld) that made me realize that all of us are going through similar things even if we think everyone around us has it all figured out. I found grace that day for myself.  

Another thing that has brought great comfort and strength to me is to be aligned with a group of other women business owners that are very intentional about being authentic and transparent about our worlds with each other on a regular basis. We are safe with each other and thus stronger because we support and learn from each other. Find your tribe. If you don’t have one, email me. I’ll have coffee with you about it and we’ll find you one.  

Ask lots of questions from lots of places.  

Be insatiably curious. Ask questions from other business owners about how they handle issues that you are facing even if they are in a different industry. Read books. Remain a constant learner. You will be surprised by what you learn and from where when you do this.  

Take care of you.  

This is incredibly important. If you burn out, there’s no one else to hold the fort. It may feel selfish, but it’s not. It is imperative. You must rest. You must read. You must recharge. You must have boundaries. You must do this for the life of your baby business. And no matter how old the business is, it’s your baby.  

As always, and maybe especially this time, let me know if you have any questions or just want to talk. You can reach me at Erica@comocompanies.com. Godspeed, my fellow entrepreneurs!