What They Don’t Tell You

About Running A Business !

Yesterday, July 4th, 2024, was not only a celebration of ‘Merica’s freedom, but also Small Town Tech LLC turned two months old! Month two was way more successful and also way more eye opening to what running a business is really like in the beginning. Let’s chat.

No One Cares About Your Vision Or Your Business

This lesson in business has been frustratingly true. What I mean by this is, when you start a business, you think the world of your company and all you want to do is help and provide value to the world around you. You know you have a good idea and people have validated that it’s a good idea time and time again, yet once you launch and finally put the thing out there, you hear crickets.

One thing to remember is it’s not that no one cares, they just don’t know you or what you can do. It takes a long time to build a business. Years and years. Also, the world just doesn’t revolve around you. I’ve heard of many people interested in the business, but life is undeniable and undefeated. It’s a hard time financially for a good portion of people, but also it seems like there’s just always something else to take care of instead of what you’re selling.

Myself included, there are a lot of new businesses I am following and trying to support but sometimes I just don’t have a need for their services at the moment or I just don’t feel like liking every Facebook post they make in order to help boost their engagement. Behind each business promotion is a dream though. I often think about all the small businesses that market on Facebook or TV or wherever and we just pass right by them without giving a second thought to their dreams or their journey.

This, is why business is so hard.

Putting In The Work

Something that has kept me going recently is knowing that even the most successful companies in the world started out like this. Started out like me. In a small room with less than desirable equipment and trying to make it all work out in your favor.

As you may or may not know, the man in the photo is Jeff Bezos (owner/founder of Amazon). At the time of writing this, Bezos is the second richest man in the world with a net worth valued at $214.3 Billion. Just like me, he started in a small room with hope and a dream.

Once the fun wears off you start to realize just how much work needs to be done to run a successful business, and that absolutely nothing will be handed to you. The things that are handed to you however require equally hard work to maintain.

But as you can see whenever that Amazon package arrives at your doorstep, anything is possible with a little hard work.

Five to Ten

After listening to a lot of successful people, business owners, and entrepreneurs, most people find success and get the ball truly starts rolling somewhere in the five to ten year range. A good percentage of them are on the 10 year side of the spectrum.

Being two months in, that’s such a hard pill to swallow. But at the same time it gives me permission (and serves as a constant humbling reminder) to enjoy the journey, learn, grow, and go easy on myself. Rome wasn’t built in a day after all.

The Fun of The Journey So Far

Amongst all the hard work, dedication, and seriousness, there are some really awesome bits to owning a business as well! For one thing, it shows who is really in your corner and genuinely there to support you. Also, you make a ton of new friends, and business connections, and you all get to struggle together while striving for your individual goals!

Owning a business and being the sole operator also gives you a major confidence boost in many different areas of life. One of the biggest is the ability to ask for what you truly want in life. Some other good ones are the ability to go up to anyone and have a conversation, or speak in front of a group of people without feeling fear, or anxiety, and even feel fulfilled afterwards.

Probably the coolest part above all else is simply being able to say “I own a business”. You have a newfound respect for small businesses and what they go through to give us the simple things we take for granted everyday. Behind every small business is hours and hours of hard work, long nights, self doubt, anxiety, joy, excitement, love, care, passion, and every other emption you can think of!

Here’s To Month Three! 🍻 

Small Town Tech, I don’t know what you hold in store for me but I’m fully invested and along for the ride! I see the potential of you, and we’ve got some amazing people in our corner that can see an even greater potential for us than we ever first imagined. Head down, eyes forward, day by day, let’s do this thang! 😎

P.S. If you’re interested in starting a business of your own (You don’t have to cure cancer, even though that would be awesome. It can be anything your heart desires! No matter how big or small your idea is!) here’s 10 steps/tips to get you started!