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Emma Selby *Flexspace Operator* posted an update
10 months ago (edited)
Morning all. It’s hard to explain the pressures – and pleasures – of running a business to people sometimes.
What’s the one thing you wish more people understood about starting and growing a business?
Rob Fryer and Gareth Turner16 Comments-
I think for me it’s that it’s very difficult to separate yourself and your identity from how well your business is doing – a bit like children! They say you are only as happy as your unhappiest child, I think its the same with business
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Yes true – becomes very personal with the ups and downs. I think in my case would be good to get across how much goes on behind the scenes.
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@Ivan do you mean people don’t see or appreciate how much time, talent and experience goes into each project
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@signal-emma I guess yes, ahem – nice to be bigged up!
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You’re so right—it’s a rollercoaster of responsibility, risk, and (hopefully!) reward.
For me, the one thing I wish more people understood is that success doesn’t happen overnight. There’s so much behind the scenes: sleepless nights, self-doubt, constant learning, and often, working harder for less pay—at least in the beginning.
But also, the freedom to create something meaningful, and the chance to grow alongside other brilliant people, makes it worth it. Support and community (like this one!) make all the difference.1-
@garethturner definitely no such thing as overnight success (unless you are selling overnight success!!) I love stories of how people work really consistently hard at something for ten or more years without a break then suddenly something clicks and real success happens – this is more realistic
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For me it’s how some treat starting a business like a one time tick box exercise:
✅ Business plan
✅ Logo
✅ Website
✅ Set up social media
✅ Post a few times
…and then what? Sit back and wait for the magic to happen?
The truth is, that’s just the warm-up, the start of the hard work.
Growing a business means constantly showing up, evolving, testing, failing, learning. And if you dont have real clarity, purpose or consistency behind these things — all those tick boxes just become more like expensive distractions.A business is not something you simply launch. It’s something you live. That makes it frustrating, unpredictable but also rewarding all at the same time.
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@robfryer-brandstorm ‘not something you launch, something you live’ this sums it up perfectly!
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I’ve found that when you’re starting a business, there is no real substitute for discovering how to go about it along the way.
Advice that I might give is not to be too quick to sign up for this or that. Sleep on it and try to make informed decisions, having done some sanity checking.
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Also, surround yourself with people who are willing to be generous with their time and advice.
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@matthewlaakvand and thats why we made My BiZHUB !
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@matthewlaakvand yep totally agree on your points. On the point about not being too quick to sign up for things, I’ve found there’s a bit of a fine line. I have sat on things for too long and missed opportunities as a result. on the flip side I have rushed into some decisions too quick and regretted some. I guess you have to trust your gut for the most part and sanity check with a weigh up of risk vs reward.
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@signal-emma Definitely.
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@robfryer-brandstorm Yeah. I struggled to write that line. Definitely take your opportunities. When you’re starting out every opportunity is a good one. I just meant, when you’re being asked to make a significant investment into something, take your time about it and understand what you’re getting out of it.
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@matthewlaakvand I agree its so tempting to try to go super fast all the time (impatience is my enemy) but Ive learned its definitely better (cheaper) to be more tortoise than hare and avoid hasty mistakes
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@signal-emma Yeah, it really is. Opportunities aren’t usually a take it now or miss it thing. If they are, they’re probably not right for you just because they’re putting pressure on you to act and preying on your naivety, worries and insecurities. We all have those weaknesses. I’d much rather hear someone tell me that I’m not ready for them yet and send me away with some homework.
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