Some are, but the reality is most businesses are built out of frustration and desperation.
Because of life’s twists and turns, some find themselves unemployable and have no other option.
But most of the small businesses I’ve seen were started by people who were finally fed up with having to listen to “that idiot” when they knew they could do it better, being overworked and underpaid, or missing out on the important things in life.
Perhaps all of the above.
They didn’t really know what they were getting into, but the unknown had to be better than the hell they were facing.
They may have stepped out on their own or found themselves on the wrong side of a layoff, and just decided not to go back.
And the scary thing is, as good as they may have been in their trade or practice, it’s usually not until this point that people realize all the other skills necessary to make a business run and grow.
However, many never realize that the purpose of a business is not to make money. Not to support them.
That’s a vital function of the business, but not the end goal.
The purpose of the business can be stated in as many things as possible. But ultimately, it’s to add value to the marketplace. To solve a problem, meet a need, or fulfill a desire.
It exists to serve the clients.
Serve them well, and do it efficiently, and you will profit. You added more value than they had to pay for, for less than it cost you to do it.
It is that simple.
But people that stick with this idea that the business exists to serve them often get stuck.
And frustrated.
Because they become entitled to the benefit.
They put in all this work, they have all these skills, all this knowledge.
Why the hell don’t people see how brilliant/honest/hardworking/dedicated to quality and doing things right they are?
And why the hell aren’t they willing to pay for it?
They may openly be the type to throw their suckers in the dirt and whine about their clientele and the market.
Or they just secretly grin and bear it while they become bitter inside. That is until you see them at the next chamber or bar networker and ask them how business is… then it all spills over.
They think they are owed some level of success.
For some, they get stuck while they are still solos, for others, they’ll grow and scale – to a point.
But every small business will ultimately get stuck. Stuck at the point where the owner is unwilling to adapt anymore to solving the problems and fulfilling the needs and desires of the market.
We all feel these waves of frustration from time to time.
What matters is that we take a step back, take some perspective, and realize that frustration is a signal that WE need to change.
You can control everything but the weather. That you have to adapt to.
Your business does not exist to serve you. It exists to allow you to serve your fellow human beings.
If you’re going to be sustainable, you have to keep that reality in mind.
#PrepareTheSoil #clientcultivationcycle #pollinatorpodcast #smallbusiness #marketing #sales #strategy #entrepreneur
