Small business is not for the faint of heart. It's not for folks who like to sleep a lot. It's not for people who have a passing interest in something. It's not for folks who don't handle stress well. It's not for those who don't like defeat or failure. It's certainly not for folks who are afraid of trying and doing new things. And it's definitely not for people who are only interested in making money.
This April will mark three years in business, full time. Before that it was part time, and before that it was a hobby that paid for itself. Sort of. We still mostly live week to week. One project at a time. Rushing to deliver a table to pay the utilities. Staying up late to finish sanding a counter top to make the house payment. It seems normal. I quit keeping track of hours a long time ago. I do this because I love it. I traded being able to work eight hour days and then "turn it off" so I could hear my children on their bikes when the shop doors are open. I turned down partnerships so I could stay at home and have my youngest son sit on my workbench while his older siblings were doing their homeschool lesson. I walked away from easier money when I didn't feel right about the methods so I could focus on building a name for myself and my sons. Sounds kind of romantic huh?
I started having full blown panic attacks around four months into going full time. I lost about twenty pounds from stress and working long hours. My moms friends would call her when they saw me at the grocery store because they thought I had cancer or something. I sold most of my beloved guitar equipment when I had slow weeks to pay bills. My family worried. I worried.
I'm not sure what the moral of the story is. I guess the story's still being written. I wish I could say that I don't worry or work late at night any more. I still do. But, I haven't had a panic attack in over a year. And, I've increased my income every year over the past three years. Not a lot, but it's moving the right way. I think I've even put some weight back on.
I think if there's a moral to the story it's that my story isn't all that unique. There's probably a coffee shop owner with a similar story in your city. Maybe a baker or a barber. Probably a mechanic too. I know it's sometimes more convenient to go to chain stores. Sometimes it's cheaper too. But in the end, for me, surviving as a small business is about you as much as it's about me. It's about every purchase. Every order. Every like and share on social media. Every prayer and word of encouragement. Every surprise visit from friends and family with groceries in tow. Every referral. Every repeat and new customer.
And, as a small business owner, I try, as much as I can, to support other small businesses. I think you get a lot more than just a product, but more on that later.
P.S. This isn't a cry for help, or sympathy. I chose this life. It's just a friendly reminder that there's lots of businesses in your neighborhood that could use and probably deserve your support. I'd love it if you'd buy a piece from me but I'd be glad if you bought your furniture, coffee, bread, meat or whatever from some one else like me. Viva la small business.
