The challenges of a small business owner | Kearney Galloway Graybill, LLC

Small business owners typically are resilient and able to quickly deal with change. They have to be as they often are strapped for cash, work on tight business margins and have boatloads of competitors who want the same thing: clients and their business.

Whether owners of restaurants, catering businesses, coffee shops, boutiques or auto-repair shops, this hardy group must be prepared for routine matters and surprises. While it’s important to stay immersed in the daily duties of your business, you know must do so much more.

Hiring Employees, Staying Passionate

Your response to commerce-related challenges may make or break your business. There are so many, too. Here are some of the challenges faced by small business owners:

Status of the local economy: To avoid unnecessary risks, you must have a solid grasp of the local economy. Your business vision needs to remain sharp in order to march forward.
Hiring employees: The cost of doing so can seem overwhelming with all the add-on costs from benefits and taxes to bonuses. But you need good employees to keep your business going.
Health care costs: While the health of your employees remains important for you to operate your business, it’s the business owner that feels the financial pinch.
Cash flow: This is often a major problem for small businesses when clients forgo payments, unexpected expenses arise and bills remain outstanding. A big rule to follow: Keep track of your money – income and expenses. Where is it coming from? Where is it going?
Rising interest rates will make it more difficult for small businesses to secure funding. Higher interest rates will increase monthly payments on loan terms, lines of credit as well as business credit cards. It’s important to understand the terms of your loan and how interest fluctuations will affect your monthly payments.
Diversifying your customer base: An overreliance on one or two customers should raise alarm. That’s why it is vital to generate additional clients. You want a loyal customer base, but you also want it to grow. Developing new products may be one way.
Staying passionate: Maintaining a high energy level and avoiding fatigue are vital for the survival of your small business. The daily grind can get to anybody, but don’t let this feeling overtake you because it could ultimately affect the quality of your service. Stay focused and stay passionate about your dream start-up business.

This list may seem overwhelming, but you must remember to keep a calm head as your competitors are facing the same challenges. With a great amount of planning, foresight and plain hard work, these challenges can be overcome.