Encouragement for Entrepreneurs
Many
years ago, I worked as a buyer for a well-known retailer who had been in
business for approximately 65 years. Unfortunately, the day came when the store
needed to close its doors due to a drop in sales revenue. It was a sad day when
reality set in. Wichita would be losing one of its iconic stores in our
downtown sector. It was a wonderful store that provided so much help and
products to so many people during its existence. The loss of jobs was also a
huge hit for the staff, as many had spent most of their careers there.
After
the announcement was made to the public that we were closing, we heard from all
kinds of patrons who had shopped over the years, the regular shoppers, and the
not-so regular shoppers. They were all sad.
One
day I was on the sales floor when a man approached me and started yelling at me
because the store was closing. I’ve been yelled out so many times during my
tenure in retail, that it didn’t really phase me. He had to get this off his
chest, and yelling was his best tool that day to relay his message of
disappointment. He wanted a full explanation as to why we were closing.
He
was not a regular, as a matter of fact, I had never seen this man shopping in
the store before that day. The sales floor was busy, and his rant had gathered
quite an audience of onlookers and head shakers in disgust at his actions. When
he was finished, I calmly looked at him and stated, “Sir, in answer to your
question, when was the last time you shopped here?”
He
stopped his hot mess and just stared at me. I think he felt this “calling out”
and got my point, so he simply left.
Entrepreneurs
and Solopreneurs have simply been left exhausted from these last four years.
It’s been hard for so many. It’s been challenging, demeaning at times, and can
leave a person feeling all alone and isolated with the question, “Should I keep
going?”
Entrepreneurs,
why do we do what we do? Because we love the people we meet and help each day
with our products or services. We love the relationships that we build with our
patrons. We love being able to call each person by their names because they are
frequent flyers!
A
word of encouragement for entrepreneurs. The road is hard, I know that.
However, it is very important that you do not walk the road alone. Find a
confidant, someone you can trust, someone to hash out the day’s journey. The
ups and downs. Make sure you take the time to celebrate the good stuff. Take
breaks. I know, when you are a solopreneur, you are thinking that I am nuts to
suggest this! Trust me, breaks help. You come back with a refreshed mindset and
body to continue.
Entrepreneurs
are also shoppers. If you love a local business and love the uniqueness of what
they have to offer to the community in products or services, please support
them regularly! Don’t forget to build relationships with other business owners!
It’s important! Try to figure out how you can help each other and create
partnerships with businesses that complement what you are doing.
A
good word, or referral to another business, will go a long way. Other business
owners can end up being the best thing ever for your biz! I saw a sign at a
local business the other day that said, “Your referral to your family and
friends is the greatest compliment you could give us!”
Entrepreneurs,
solopreneurs, hang in there! You’ve got this. Be consistent, Pray often, and
Fear not! Stick to your business plan. You may need to revise it a bit to match
current trends, so take time to review it once a year. A good business plan
will keep you on track and keep you from chasing squirrels!
Keep
building those relationships, trust God, and you will make it through the tough
stuff.
Isaiah
41:10, ESV “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I
will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right
hand.”
Keep
on keepin’ on!
Debra
Debra Lee | Author | Keynote Speaker | Blogger | Biz &
Life Coach
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