Real talk: My biggest struggle as a business owner is standing up for myself and not allowing someone to take advantage of me.
Starting out, I felt frantic and desperate to close a sale. I didn’t have a ton of proof of my work, my reputation, or anything like that. Sometimes, I felt frustrated and exhausted by the end of the day because I couldn’t just say no. Inevitably, that the thing I decided to do at no charge wound up taking me three times longer than normal, because the client asked for revisions on what they didn’t pay for.
It wasn’t only that. It was also working excruciatingly long hours because I was sure that my clients would be pissed if I didn’t deliver nearly immediately. I didn’t stand up for myself and my mental well-being, which I struggle with still. I am torn between running a successful business and providing for my family, without letting the business run my life. It’s about balance, but I’m still finding it.
Why It’s Hard For Me
One of the reasons why I find that it’s so difficult to stop someone from taking advantage of me is because I don’t want them to think that it’s all about the money and nickel + diming them.
Isn’t that the most ridiculous thing that you’ve ever heard? It IS about the money, though. That’s ok.
Autumn Lane Paperie is a business. It’s not a hobby. It’s not a part time job or side gig. This business is THE way we put food on the table for our family. It has to be about the money because we have to make ends meet and live.
More Real Talk
Confession: I still feel hugely guilty when I tell someone no. Also, I despise having to point back to policies to remind people that I’m telling them no for a reason.
Reality: If I didn’t say no, I’d never stop working. If I didn’t say no, I would over-promise and under-deliver, and I would feel even worse when my client didn’t love it. Additionally, if I didn’t set limits on what I do and don’t do based on any given order, I’d never reach the conclusion of some branding packages.
It’s tough, isn’t it? I can’t be the only one that feels like this or that deals with this.
What has been your biggest struggle as a business owner?
My biggest business struggle? Exactly this. I remember night after night while running Typographics, working until midnight or later, just to please my customers. Opa asked me late one night, ‘What about your family?’ Wham!