I have been in this journey for not that long, and yet I feel I have experience so much (and highs and downs) in such a short amount of time, that I needed to have a full blog post to talk about it.
No one warned me about this when I started my business…I knew I’d have to put in the work, but I didn’t realize just how much would fall on my shoulders. The pressure to do it all, the loneliness of decision-making, and the constant push to stay relevant—why doesn’t anyone talk about this side of entrepreneurship?
The Unspoken Struggles of Running a Business
Running a business isn’t just about having a great product or service. It’s about navigating self-doubt, financial uncertainty, and the never-ending learning curve. Here are some of the biggest challenges creative entrepreneurs like us face:
The Emotional Rollercoaster: One day, you’re on top of the world; the next, you’re questioning everything. The highs and lows are real, and they don’t go away that easily.
Wearing All the Hats: Marketing, finances, client management—small business owners juggle multiple roles before we’re able to outsource. And we are mot making overtime haha
The Comparison Trap: Social media makes it seem like everyone has it figured out. But deep down we know that behind the scenes, even the most successful entrepreneurs face struggles.
The Fear of Inconsistency: Some months, business is booming. Other months? Crickets. The unpredictability can be stressful until we figure out a system and a flow that works for us.
Loneliness in Decision-Making: When you're the boss, every decision falls on you. There’s no one to tell you what’s right, and that can be overwhelming (and challenging) especially if you are a newbie like me.
The good news? These struggles are normal, and there are ways to handle them.
You’re Not Alone, and Here’s How to Navigate It:
Connect with Like-Minded Entrepreneurs: Surround yourself with people who get it. Find networking groups, mastermind communities, or even an accountability partner.
Reframe Failure as Growth: Every setback is a lesson in disguise. The most successful entrepreneurs are the ones who keep going despite the challenges.
Prioritize What Moves the Needle: Not every task is urgent. Focus on what actually drives results and learn to let go of the rest.
Take Breaks Without Guilt: Burnout isn’t a badge of honor. Stepping away can give you the clarity you need to move forward.
Share Your Journey: Being transparent about struggles builds trust with your audience and makes you more relatable.
Let’s Talk About It
What’s the hardest part of running a business that no one prepared you for? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your experience.
xoxo
Ingrid from The Lab
