Last Updated on October 14, 2024 by Treana Wunsch
Welcome to my blog! After a few years of writing, I realized I’ve never properly introduced myself or the purpose behind this space. If you’re a small business owner, you know that balancing it all can feel overwhelming—believe me, I’ve been there too! Statistics show that 20% of small businesses fail in their first year, often due to burnout and lack of support. My blog is here to help you avoid that by providing practical solutions that address the everyday challenges you face.
In this space, I share insights, tools, and strategies that I’ve learned along my journey, and I’m excited to help you build the successful, stress-free business you deserve. Whether you’re battling time management issues, struggling with cash flow, or feeling lost in your business’s growth, you’re not alone. Let’s dive into how I can help you overcome these obstacles and start thriving.
This post is all about how I help small businesses grow.
Common Challenges Faced by Small Business Owners
If there’s one thing I’ve learned after years of working with small business owners, it’s that running a business can feel like juggling a hundred things at once—while walking a tightrope! You’ve got clients to satisfy, invoices to send, and emails to reply to, and on top of all that, you still have to grow your business. It’s no wonder so many people end up overwhelmed. I’ve been there too, wearing all the hats and wondering why my “to-do” list never shrinks. But trust me, with the right strategies, you can get a handle on things.
Tuesday Takeaways Newsletter
Time Management
This is a biggie. Time is literally money, and wasting it on low-priority tasks can seriously mess with your bottom line. I had one client, let’s call her Sarah, who was stuck spending hours every day on things like responding to emails and scheduling meetings. She was great at what she did but spent so much time doing administrative work that her business plateaued. What did we do? Well, after a few deep breaths, we set her up with automated scheduling software and tweaked her day so she could focus on the big tasks. Her business boomed within months.
One thing I’ve learned: automate what you can, and delegate the rest. That’s not just advice, it’s a survival skill.
RELATED POST: How to Build a Business That Runs Itself
Financial Strain
Cash flow, oh boy, this one’s a doozy. I can’t tell you how many sleepless nights I’ve had, especially early on in my business. One minute you’re doing great, then suddenly, an unexpected expense comes up, and boom, you’re in the red. It’s even worse if you’re not keeping a tight grip on your finances. I once had a client who didn’t track their cash flow regularly (big mistake), and by the time they realized there was an issue, it was almost too late. My tip? Use a simple system to track expenses and income. You don’t need anything fancy—just something you’ll stick with. Quickbooks Online is my go-to.
Also, pay attention to those sneaky little costs that add up, like subscriptions you’re not using or banking fees. I’m looking at you, forgotten SaaS tools!
RELATED POST: How a Business Process Audit Can Streamline Your Operations and Boost Profit
Marketing and Branding Struggles
Trying to get noticed in a crowded market is like shouting into a void sometimes. I’ve worked with entrepreneurs who have fantastic products but no one knows they exist because their marketing is all over the place. One client, for example, was trying to do everything—Facebook ads, Instagram, email campaigns—but nothing was working. We had to sit down, figure out where their audience actually hung out, and focus all the marketing efforts there. The result? A brand that finally cut through the noise.
Marketing doesn’t have to be overwhelming, but it does have to be focused. Don’t be afraid to say no to platforms that aren’t working for you.
RELATED POST: Small Business Marketing: The Foundation of Success
Work-Life Balance
We’ve all been there—working late nights, missing out on family time, and feeling guilty about it. For many business owners, there’s this constant tug of war between running a business and having a life. And let’s be real, most of us lose that battle more often than we’d like to admit. I had a client who was working seven days a week because they felt like their business couldn’t run without them. Spoiler alert: it could. We restructured things, put systems in place, and before long, they were able to take weekends off. (Yes, weekends off are possible!)
Pro tip:
Set boundaries early. If you don’t make time for yourself, your business will take all the time it can.
Lack of Direction or Growth
Feeling stuck is super common, especially after the initial excitement of starting your business wears off. I’ve had clients who reach a certain level and then just plateau. No growth, no change. It’s frustrating, but often it comes down to not knowing where to go next. One thing I’ve learned is that growth doesn’t happen by accident—you have to plan for it. Sitting down with a clear strategy, breaking it into bite-sized goals, and tracking your progress can do wonders.
At the end of the day, the challenges small business owners face are real, but they aren’t impossible to overcome. It’s all about identifying the issue, making a plan, and taking action. Believe me, I’ve seen it happen time and time again.
RELATED POST: How to Write a Business Plan for Small Business: The Intro
My Approach to Helping Small Business Owners Succeed
So, how do I help small business owners go from feeling buried under a mountain of tasks to finally breathing easy? Well, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Over the years, I’ve learned that every business is different, and what works for one entrepreneur won’t necessarily work for another. That’s where my approach comes in—I tailor everything to the individual. But let’s break it down a bit because “tailored solutions” can sound like fluff without the details.
Tailored Solutions
This is where we get into the nitty-gritty. I had one client (let’s call him Mike) who came to me with what looked like a time management issue. He couldn’t figure out why he was working 12-hour days and still falling behind. We dug in, and it turned out that his systems were a mess.
He was doing things manually that could’ve been automated months ago! He was also getting me to do the same work in a different format without realizing it. So, we didn’t just throw a generic “time-blocking” strategy at him. Instead, we took apart his day-to-day tasks, evaluated each one, and built a system tailored specifically for how he worked.
The takeaway?
What works for your buddy down the street might not work for you. It’s all about figuring out your strengths, weaknesses, and what will actually make a difference in your business.
Step-by-Step Guidance
When I’m working with a client, the first thing I do is help them get clarity. It’s like trying to clean up a messy room—you can’t just start randomly tossing things out, you need to have a plan. One step at a time, I help them figure out what’s most important.
We start by mapping out their business goals and then break it down into smaller, manageable steps. And here’s a secret: I also build in time for reflection. Sometimes, you don’t know if a strategy is working until you’ve given it some space to breathe.
I remember one client who was eager to launch a new product. She was excited, but her plan was all over the place. Together, we created a launch roadmap with clear deadlines, marketing strategies, and benchmarks.
The step-by-step process made a massive difference, and she hit her sales goals within weeks. Without that structure, she would’ve been stuck in “what do I do next?” mode.
Actionable Strategies
You know what drives me crazy? Advice that sounds good but doesn’t actually help. When I give my clients strategies, I make sure they’re practical. Not just “raise your prices” or “post more on social media,” but things they can put into action right away.
One business owner I worked with had been struggling with client retention. The advice they’d been getting? Send more emails. But that wasn’t cutting it. What we did was create a client onboarding process that wowed new customers from day one, plus a follow-up schedule that made them feel valued. Suddenly, retention wasn’t an issue anymore.
The key here is to focus on strategies that are easy to implement without adding more stress. You don’t need to overhaul your entire business overnight to see results. In fact, you shouldn’t.
Mindset Shifts
Let’s talk about mindset because, honestly, it’s the unsung hero of business success. I’ve seen it so many times—an entrepreneur will have all the tools they need but still struggle because they’re stuck in a “scarcity mindset” or they’re afraid of failure.
One client of mine was killing it in terms of sales, but she was terrified of raising her prices because she thought her customers would leave. After some deep conversations, we worked through those fears, and she increased her rates. Guess what? Not only did she retain her clients, but they valued her more.
Shifting your mindset from “I can’t” to “I can” changes everything. I’m not saying it’s easy, but it’s necessary if you want to grow your business. Sometimes, it’s about getting out of your own way and letting success happen.
Real Life Examples
Let me tell you about Tom, another client of mine. He owned a small coffee shop that was struggling to stay afloat. His problem? He didn’t know how to stand out in a crowded market.
Together, we revamped his branding, focusing on the unique aspects of his shop—local partnerships and sustainable sourcing. We also implemented a loyalty program that encouraged repeat customers. Within months, his foot traffic increased, and his revenue followed.
I love sharing these stories because they prove that no matter how stuck you feel, there’s always a way forward. Sometimes, you just need someone to help you see the possibilities.
What You Can Expect from This Blog Moving Forward
So, you’ve made it this far, and I bet you’re wondering—what’s next? Well, if you stick around, there’s a lot more to come! This blog isn’t just a one-time resource; it’s a place where you can find ongoing support, community, and plenty of actionable content to keep your business moving in the right direction. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been in the game for a while, I’ve got your back.
Actionable Content
This blog is all about practical advice. Expect articles filled with step-by-step guides, tools, and tips that you can use right away. I’m not going to throw fluffy content at you—everything I share is tested and proven. For example, I might share a template for time-blocking that I’ve personally used to help clients reclaim hours of their week. Or maybe a detailed guide on how to analyze cash flow (because let’s be honest, it can be confusing!). The goal? To give you strategies that work, without the headache.
Comment below if you want me to cover something specific!
Community Support
One of the best things about running this blog is the community that’s growing around it. Small business owners, just like you, come here to learn, share, and connect. And hey, running a business can be lonely sometimes, right? Having a space where you can ask questions, share your wins, or even vent a little can make all the difference. In the future, I’m planning to set up more interactive features Q&A sessions, and maybe even a members-only forum.
Let me know in the comments if this is something you’d be interested in.
Ongoing Learning
Running a business is like riding a bike—there’s always something new to learn, and if you stop pedaling, you’ll probably fall off. This blog will be regularly updated with the latest trends, insights, and tips for small business owners. Whether it’s a new marketing strategy or a fresh way to approach client management, I’ll keep you in the loop. I’m always learning too, so whenever I find something helpful, you’ll be the first to know!
Interactive Features
Speaking of staying in the loop, keep an eye out for some exciting new features. I’m planning to launch downloadable resources, step-by-step guides and maybe even some guest expert interviews. These are all designed to give you hands-on help that you can apply immediately to your business. Need a checklist for onboarding new clients? I’ve got you covered. Looking for a quick tutorial on setting up an email marketing campaign? That’s coming too!
How I Help Small Businesses Grow
If you’re a small business owner, this blog is your go-to resource for getting past the overwhelm and achieving the success you’ve always dreamed of. I’m here to help you navigate the complexities of running a business so you can find balance, feel less stressed, and grow your company. You’ve already taken the first step by being here—let’s make the next steps together. Whether you’re facing cash flow issues, marketing challenges, or just trying to find some work-life balance, this blog has something for you.
Subscribe, stick around, and don’t forget to share your own experiences or questions in the comments! We’re all in this together, and I can’t wait to see where your business goes from here.