Running a small business feels like being the whole cast of a sitcom, all by yourself.
This morning, I was the CEO making “game-changing” decisions. By noon, I became the CMO, handling a Facebook ad campaign with a $5 budget, convinced it was going to be the next Super Bowl commercial.
By 3 PM, I turned into the CFO, realizing those “game-changing” decisions mean eating instant noodles for the rest of the month.
And by 6 PM? I was the janitor, cleaning up after the real boss of my home office: my cat, who knocked over a coffee cup onto my “strategic planning documents” (a.k.a. sticky notes).
Entrepreneurship is crazy, but at least I get to wear pajamas to work.
Anyone else living the one-person sitcom life? Drop your funniest I do it all moments in the comments!
Friendly reminder that this forum is for asking and answering questions about starting, owning, and growing a small business. Please make sure your post follows the rules. Posts that break these rules will be removed, and you may be banned temporarily or permanently if you don’t remove the offending post. Just because you see this message doesn’t mean your post was automatically removed.
I am a bot, and this action was done automatically. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to the moderators of this forum.
Zan said:
Reminds me of those videos where someone asks for the manager. The person goes behind the corner and comes back. “Hi, I’m the manager”.
The manager bit is so real! “Oh, you need the owner? Steps behind imaginary curtain Hi, I’m the owner too!” The joys of wearing every hat in the hat store.
Great post. I started my business 30 years ago and was solo for the first 15 so I totally get what you are saying. Now, I am still in ownership, semi-retired but make the final decisions on anything of importance (they still ask me brand of coffee) and manage the payroll, handle problems, and most importantly, I go in one night a week and empty garbage, vacuum, etc… What is crazy is how many people think owning your own business is a piece of cake.
Ty said: @Avery
I hope I get to my 30 like you. Hats off!
It’s amazing that you still do the vacuuming, emptying the garbage. I think it’s nice to stay connected to the small parts even after 30 years
Thanks! I’d be lost without it! People ask about hobbies… I’ve been doing 50-60 hours a week for 30 years, what hobbies? In retrospect, I wouldn’t change a thing.
@Avery
30 years solo? You’re the real MVP! And yes, people assume owning a business is sipping margaritas on the beach. Meanwhile, we’re over here debating coffee brands and learning to fix the office printer like pros.
Blane said:
As the actual CMO at an ad agency, every business thinks the ad their child designed and a $5 budget will let them outsell Coke.
I did let my 8-year-old (now 17) make an ad on Facebook. It actually generated a little business on its own and some very loyal customers. Played for 5 dollars a day for 1 week. I’d like to say he was proud of it and it inspired a deeper interest in marketing, but he forgot about it 2 days into the run.
Blane said:
As the actual CMO at an ad agency, every business thinks the ad their child designed and a $5 budget will let them outsell Coke.
As a part-time “CMO” myself, I feel your pain. Every business owner has that one genius ad idea they’re convinced will change the game, usually scribbled on a napkin. Bless their creative hearts.
It’s even more of this when that business is a farm. My day’s task list is all over the place sometimes.
Running heavy equipment, then accounting. Talking to an urban micro bakery, then delivering a calf. Welding up busted machinery, hauling oversized loads and hazmat, mentoring teens, and yelling at labor crews until you lose your voice. Fixing literally everything. Watching weather reports on other continents so you know when to sell grain at home.
At least we’re all building great skills for… well, everything.
And yes, people assume owning a business is sipping margaritas on the beach. Meanwhile, we’re over here debating coffee brands and learning to fix the office printer like pros.
