The ugly things nobody talks about as small business owners:

 Hi Everyone,

I did not write this post below but it couldn't be more true. I have not heard this in the news but I bet that small businesses are closing at an alarming rate. People are spending money on necessities right now because they need to and there is not enough money left over for the fun purchases like craft supplies. Since all the inflation has been hitting, it has been a very challenging 3 months. I am looking forward to seeing lots of people in Lancaster this weekend but I am very sad that I am not seeing them in my store.

Kristen Joy Martin is with Patrick Martin. ·

The ugly things nobody talks about as small business owners:

•You are fully dependent on yourself to pay your bills and when you are in the first 2-5 years it’s real dicey.

•There’s no salary, no benefits, no insurance, no weekends off, no sick days, no taking the day off when you don’t have childcare, no ever being “done”…ever.

•Consistent help with young kids is humanly impossible and when you don’t have it it’s an absolute hot mess. Hot. Stinking. Mess. Like take 6 months to open your shop hot mess.

•Social media does not support small businesses. In fact they’ve made it 10x harder (not an exaggeration) to build and grow now. We work twice as hard for a quarter of the reach.

•Once you force yourself to hire employees (because you can’t do it all)…you pay them before you pay yourself.

•Small business loans aren’t for small businesses

•People will think you’re a millionaire because you make sales and “look successful” when you’re barely a $2-aire because you have to reinvest every single dollar for the first few years.

•You feel like you’re letting down almost everyone in your life because there’s not enough of you to go around.

•Some days feel really really lonely

•Opening a shop and trying to keep your ecommerce biz alive during a “challenging financial climate” is for the dang birds. The. Dang. Birds.

•The weight of peoples expectations on you feel really heavy sometimes. They’re quick to let you know how you’re falling short

•You work 365 days a year and 16 hours a day

•It takes 47 days to respond to texts, messages and emails even if the answer is “ok”

•You watch people doing huge things around you and you have to keep your peace and stay focused and not allow comparison to creep in

•You’re desperate for a vacation butttt the whole $2-aire thing

•Some days I cry…but oddly enough, I never want to quit.

…BUT you keep going day in and day out because you believe in what you’re doing with all of your heart. It’s a deep knowing. Because it calls you and because you believe you’re building the foundation for something beautiful. This is the stuff nobody wants to talk about or push through but in the end I know we will look back and know we helped pave the path for our girls and others with big dreams!

And just to be extra honest, I’m not sharing this for pity at all but it’s been a rough year and sometimes it helps to lay it all out. I’m not an internalizer This isn’t an easy journey and it gets exhausting waking up to a new hurdle every single day. I know it’ll be ok and I know we are on the right path, but your friends are tired…so tired lol •••> Also, if you know any other small business owners please know that this translates to them as well and give them so much grace…and a hug and maybe some wine or a cookie lol

New Take & Make Cards from Lisa Halstead