Starting a business has long been the goal of people that have an entrepreneurial spirit. Why? Running your own business can mean freedom. You won’t need to follow the orders of a boss. You’re free to build your business on your terms. Needless to say, running a small business is hard work and stressful. A recent story by Business Insider wonders if running a small tech or other business is just too stressful for some people.
Tragedy
The Business Insider feature starts with the story of Jody Sherman. He had built the online business Ecomom, which sold environmentally-friendly products for children. The business was having cash flow problems. Then Sherman shot himself. A couple of weeks after the suicide, the business shut down until a new owner revived it in the summer. Business Insider posed the question: Did the stress of running a business result in Sherman killing himself?
High-pressure
Few jobs bring as much pressure as running a business. The competition is intense in a good economy. In a sluggish one? It’s even more difficult for small businesses to thrive as consumers hesitate to spend their cash. Even successful businesses are loaded with stress. There are long hours and big decisions to make. There are always competitors who want to take your customers.
Riding the coaster
Business Insider compares it to a especially frightening roller coaster. Running a small business comes with a series of extreme highs and lows. One day your business is bringing in new customers. The next, the crowds have stopped and inventory is sitting quiet on your shelves. It’s little wonder that so many business owners are under so much stress. The message here is that entrepreneurs who dream about opening a small business should be realistic. They need to be ready for stress. They need to be ready for the down times. Running a small business is a big challenge. It’s not one well suited for the bashful.