As a business owner, I understand how hard you have to work to go from impossible to possible. Although challenges are inevitable, they also provide the tools that small business owners need to keep growing their companies. Here are some examples:

a) Business only runs when the owner is present – Wouldn’t it be nice to go on vacation and not have to check email or voicemail because you know that people that you trust are taking care of your business while you’re gone? At the very beginning of our journey, small business owners don’t get to have this luxury. It takes a while before your business keeps running without your presence. But it is possible if you find people that you trust and can support you.

b) Connection with collaborators – In today’s virtual environment, many small business owners struggle with the lack of personal connection. Although most of my communication with clients is over the phone or email, I try to stay connected in different ways. Occasional in-person meetings are great (wouldn’t you like to get to know your VA face-to-face at least once?). If in-person meetings are not an option, another way for me to stay connected is by sending handwritten Thank You cards, birthday cards, pictures, or small thank you gifts. Something that my clients can touch.

c) Stress and fatigue due to long work hours and heavy workload – This happens especially when you are getting started or when you start expanding. Each transitional period in your business is going to bring more work and stress. The good news is that once you figure out a strategy to be more productive by working fewer hours, the stress will subside and the fatigue can slowly go away. 

d) Hiring the right people – Small business owners don’t have an HR department screening applicants before they get an interview. Small business owners have to 1) figure out what jobs to create or fulfill, 2) create job descriptions, 3) look for candidates, 4) interview potential employees/contractors/partners, and 5) hire a good fit for the company. 
A way to start looking for the right people is to obtain referrals. If people that you trust are already working with someone, chances are they already did steps 1-5 for you!

Challenges come with the territory, but you don’t have to face them alone. Get the support that you need and deserve to keep making your business GROW.

And remember, for every challenge, there is ALWAYS a solution and a LESSON!

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