In a section of my upcoming book, I’m going to be talking about the struggles one can often encounter when trying to build a business.
If you have started a business or tried to start a business, what struggles have you experienced in growing your business? What are the biggest lessons have you learned in the process?
You can leave a comment answering this question or shoot an email with your answers to crystal @ moneysavingmom.com.
As always, any comments left on this post or emails sent in will be considered for publication in my book. If you would prefer to remain anonymous or do not want your comment or email published, please let us know.
Thanks so much!
Anne says
You can have a great plan, start out with a great business, but then life happens. Growing a business takes a great amount of flexibility and wisdom when you are also managing a household. I learned that I need to work for at least 10 hours a week to make it worthwhile, but that just wasn’t working for our family in this season of life. I love doing nutrition consulting, but am taking a break for a few years to focus on my husband, kiddos and ministry responsibilities.
Chant'l Martin says
I have learned several things since losing my job and starting my company about 2 months ago. (More than I ever thought I would learn in 2 months.)
1. You can pay for the bells and whistles, the nice building, the best writers, the greatest marketing strategist- and still fail. Business is constantly changing and no one can guarantee success. The business backed by millions in venture capital has the same chances as the business started in a garage.
2. There will be days when you want to give up. When you first start out, you have so many ideas and so much passion for what you envision will be your future. Yes, we all know the statistics for a success as a new company (is it 4 out of 5 fail?) but we all have those big dreams that our company will not be one of them. I invested all of my money into my company, maxed out credit cards, and planned out my marketing tactics very well. I sat back and waited for sales because I knew it was a matter of time before the dough came rolling in. And I waited… And waited… And.. Nothing. Yes, I wanted to give up.
3. Marketing is constant. You don’t get to start a company, put up a website, and have tons of traffic just appear. You have to market yourself online everywhere that your possible clients are. That means learning Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram, etc. Social media platforms will consume you and become your best friend. I still smile a tiny smile of accomplishment for every new follower alert from Twitter or “Like” on Instagram.
4. Business is unpredictable. I spent more time learning about marketing than anything else when I started my company. Now, though I still work on my company, I make the majority of my money now as a freelance social media marketing manager. When I started this venture, I never imagined myself as a social media marketer (I sell children’s arts and craft kits!). But with all that I learned in the process of starting my company, I realized that marketing is what I love doing. I still run my own arts and crafts company from home, but I also work with several companies to develop and implement online marketing strategies and now I love what I do more than ever.
Crystal Paine says
SUCH great words of advice! Thank you for sharing!
Emily says
One of the biggest struggles in starting my own business is high expectations! I FINALLY started my gourmet bread business because of the constant arm nudging from friends and family and expected to have dozens of orders the first few weeks (mainly because I was constantly hearing, “Oh, I would definitely order from you!” or “I would pay money for that!”. Frustrating when you bank on those people purchasing from you and it doesn’t happen! Since, I’ve spent more time editing my FB page, pictures, personal story, menus and business cards to develop more consistent customers.
Theresa L says
I’m trying to build a business as an independent consultant with a direct sales company. The hardest part for me is getting people to understand that 1) this is a JOB, not a hobby. I may not dress up and leave home every day, but it is a job and 2) getting those follow-ups. It seems people get all excited about the products when they see them, but then actually getting them to follow through is really hard. I sell children’s books, BTW.
Jessica Snell says
Guarding my time. This is really the hardest part.
I’m an author and a freelance editor, but I also have four children.
I’ve learned that I really have to set aside a discrete set of hours that are for work – and not housework – if I really want to make real progress in my career. This is hard, because housework is always with us! 🙂
But setting aside real working hours has made all the difference to me. It’s amazing how much I can get done in those set-aside hours.
Amanda@CrunchyHippieLife says
One of my main struggles has been the reactions of some people in my life who don’t have the same vision. I’m a health consultant and my business runs on referrals. I asked someone once who they knew who might be interested, and she told me I shouldn’t be asking for referrals, that that was proof that I had “thrown away” my previous career as an RN.
MaryEllen@ImperfectHomemaker says
Time constraints! As a mom trying to keep her home and family priorities straight, it seems like things get to a point where you’re not quite making enough to pay someone to help, but you’ve grown enough where you can’t do it all without your family going by the wayside. Figuring out how to balance that has been very tricky.
Cheryl says
Not realizing the importance of marketing.