Kim's BizBlog

Last week I had lunch with one of my vendors.  We spent the majority of our lunch complaining about the woes of owning a business in the current climate.

This is a trend that I've seen become more prevalent over the last couple of years.  It's as if small business owners have just gone 20 rounds in the ring and are now out walking blurry eyed through the streets.  There's no time to rest.  You know you have to keep moving forward, but it's a matter of having the energy to do so, all without knowing if another punch is coming around the next corner.

Customers are buying less and many are sacrificing quality for a lower cost.  This leaves business owners scrambling to find more customers and/or sell more services to make up for the deficits.  These additions equal more work for less.  And, more work for less equals very grumpy business owners. 

On top of it all, business owners are facing new regulations, fines and higher taxes.  When you start to weigh all of the work against all that's working against you, the question arises, "is this worth it?"

In general, small business in the United States is defined by the SBA as having 500 employees or less.  Small business is responsible for up to 75% of the jobs in the U.S.  

I urge you, fight for small business. If you know or are employed by a small business owner, encourage and support them.  Chances are they have to make some really tough decisions right now and they need that support.  Thank them for all that they're doing to keep the business afloat.

Don't stop there.  No matter the size of the company, all owners & managers right now are being confronted with many similar dilemmas.  Let them know you are aware of these challenges and support them as well.  This is a time of opportunity.  If you have an idea that could potentially bring more revenue to your company...share it!

We need to come together to support the private sector...not demonize it.  

Please note the thoughts and opinions expressed in this blog are based on the experiences of the author.  The information contained in this blog is in no way meant to take the place of professional advice.  It is only meant as insight into the world of a small business owner.   As always, thank you for visiting and feel free to share your own experiences or conerns by leaving a comment

Recently I caught an old Seinfeld episode that featured Babu, the struggling restaurateur.

The image that struck me was Babu standing in front of his restaurant with a little sign and a big smile...just hoping one person would come in and enjoy his cuisine.  His entire demeanor reeked of pitiful desperation.

I have to believe that this image has to strike a different feeling in a person who's started their own business than it does in someone who has not.  I have seen this episode probably 10 times in the past, but now, after struggling with my own business, it almost brought tears to my eyes.  I have been Babu.  Hell, I am Babu!! 

Could it be that no matter how successful your business becomes, there is always a little Babu in you?  Does Steve Jobs still feel like Babu, holding a little sign, smiling friendly and desperate for people to buy the new iPad? Given the time and money put into creating the thing...he probably does!  It's just at a different level.

If there's one thing I've learned, and am kind of still learning, it's that you always hope for the best and expect the worst.  I can't tell you how many times I've overbought inventory or over printed brochures because I just knew people would be lined up...beating down the doors to get what I had to offer.  It's never happened.  Not yet, anyhow. 

I've said it about a new concept, but it's probably true for any new business, sometimes marketing a business feels like being a mute person speaking to a blind crowd.  I just can't seem to get the point across.

Last year, I'd had it.  I saw other businesses like mine pop up and almost as quickly go under.  I knew exactly why and was determined not to follow suit. 

This year, I'm going all out with, what I think, is a revolutionary new marketing concept.  If I do say so myself.  The thing about revolutionary new marketing concepts is that I'm now finding myself marketing my ingenius new marketing!  Hello again, Babu.

Please note the thoughts and opinions expressed in this blog are based on the experiences of the author.  The information contained in this blog is in no way meant to take the place of professional advice.  It is only meant as insight into the world of a small business owner.   As always, thank you for visiting and feel free to share your own experiences or conerns by leaving a comment