Starting a business is a significant achievement for many entrepreneurs, but maintaining one is the larger challenge. There are many common challengesevery business faces, whether they are large or small. These include hiring the right people, building a brand, developing a customer base, and so on. However, some are strictly small business problems,ones most large companies grew out of long ago.
Here are the five most significant challenges for small businesses.
Key Takeaways
- A small business should not allow itself to become dependent on a single client.
- Having professional help with money management frees up a small business owner to focus on operating concerns.
- It’s essential to find the right balance between working long hours and business success.
- A small business owner should not create a situation where the business could not continue in their absence.
- Starting a small business may be different than simply working as a freelancer.
1. Client Dependence
If a single client makes up more than half of your income, you are more independent contractor than a business owner. Diversifying yourclient base is vital to growing a business, but it can be difficult,especially when the client in question pays well and is on time. Having a client willing to pay on time for a product or service is a godsend for many small businesses.
Unfortunately, this can result in a longer-term handicap because, even if you have employees and so on, you may still be acting as a subcontractor for a more significant business. This arrangement allows the client to avoid the risks of adding payroll in an area where the work may dry up at any time, and all of that risk is transferred from the larger company to you and your employees. This arrangementcan work ifyour main clienthasa consistent need for your product or service.
2. Money Management
Having enough cash to cover the bills is a must for any business, but it is also necessary for every individual. Whether your business or your life, one will likely emerge as a capital drain that puts pressure on the other. To avoidthis problem, small business owners must either be heavily capitalized or pick up extra income to shore up cash reserves when needed. This is why many small businesses start with the founders working a job and building a business simultaneously. While this split focus can make it challenging to grow a business, running out of cash makes growing a business impossible.
Money management becomes even more important when cash is flowing into the business. Although handling business accounting and taxes may be within the capabilities of most business owners, professional help is usually a good idea. The complexity of a company’sbooks increases with each client and employee, so getting an assist on the bookkeeping can prevent it from becoming a reason not to expand.
3. Fatigue
The hours, the work, and the constant pressure to perform wear on even the most passionate individuals. Many business owners—even successful ones—get stuck working much longer hours than their employees. Moreover, they fear their business will stall in their absence, so they avoid taking any timeaway from work to recharge.
Fatiguecan lead to rash decisions about the business, including the desire to abandon it altogether. Finding a pace that keeps the business humming without grinding down the owner is a challenge that comes early (and often) in the evolution of a small business.
It is generally better for a business to have a diversified client base to pick up the slack when any single client quits paying.
4. Founder Dependence
If you get hit by a car, is your business still producing income the next day? A business that can't operate without its founder is a business with a deadline. Many businesses suffer from founder dependence, and it is often caused by the founder being unable to let go of certain decisions and responsibilities as the business grows.
In theory, meeting this challenge is easy—a business owner merely has to give over more control to employees or partners. In practice, however, this is a significant stumbling block for founders because it usually involves compromising (at least initially) on the quality of work being done until the person doing the work learns the ropes.
Growth should never be the enemy of quality. A small business needs both.
5. Balancing Quality and Growth
Even when a business is not founder-dependent, there comes a time when the issues from growth seemto match or even outweigh the benefits. Whether a service or a product, at some point, a business must sacrifice to scale up. This may mean not being able to personally manage every client relationship or not inspecting every widget.
Unfortunately, it is usually that level of personal engagement and attention to detail that makes a business successful. Therefore, many small business owners find themselves tied to these habits to the detriment of their development. There is a large middle ground between shoddy work and an unhealthy obsession with quality; it is up to the business owner to navigate its processes toward a compromise that allows growth without hurting the brand.
The Bottom Line
The problems faced by small businesses are considerable, and one of the worst things a would-beowner can do is go into business without considering the challenges ahead. We’ve looked at ways tohelp make these challenges more accessible, but there is no avoiding them.
On the other hand, a competitive drive is often one of the reasons people start their own business, and every challenge represents another opportunity to compete.
As an expert in the field of entrepreneurship and small business management, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges that business owners face on a daily basis. With years of experience and a deep understanding of the intricacies of starting and maintaining a business, I can confidently provide valuable insights on the concepts discussed in the article.
The first concept highlighted in the article is client dependence. It emphasizes the importance of diversifying the client base to avoid relying too heavily on a single client for income. This is crucial for the long-term growth and stability of a small business. By expanding the client base, business owners can mitigate the risks associated with losing a major client and ensure a more sustainable revenue stream.
The second concept is money management. Proper financial management is essential for any business, regardless of its size. Small business owners must carefully balance their personal and business finances to avoid draining resources from one to support the other. This often requires seeking professional help to handle accounting and taxes, especially as the business grows and becomes more complex.
Another significant challenge discussed is fatigue. The demanding nature of running a business can take a toll on the owner's physical and mental well-being. It is crucial to find a balance between work and personal life to prevent burnout. Additionally, having a diversified client base can help alleviate the pressure of depending on a single client and reduce the risk of exhaustion.
Founder dependence is the fourth concept explored in the article. Many small businesses struggle because they are heavily reliant on the founder's involvement in every aspect of the business. To overcome this challenge, founders must learn to delegate responsibilities and trust their employees or partners. This may involve compromising on the initial quality of work done by others, but it is necessary for long-term growth and success.
Lastly, the article discusses the delicate balance between maintaining quality and achieving growth. As a business expands, it becomes increasingly difficult for the owner to personally manage every client relationship and oversee every detail. However, maintaining a high level of quality is crucial for the success of a business. Finding a compromise that allows for growth without compromising on quality is a key challenge for small business owners.
In conclusion, starting and maintaining a small business is no easy feat. It requires careful consideration of the challenges that lie ahead and a proactive approach to overcoming them. By diversifying the client base, managing finances effectively, addressing fatigue, reducing founder dependence, and balancing quality with growth, small business owners can navigate these challenges and seize the opportunities that come their way.
