Success Roadblocks in Business – Insights from 6 Entrepreneurs

Business success is about embracing new challenges and tackling all that’s challenging you.

Having to do-it-all seems to be a common imperative of running your own show. From business development to bookkeeping, design to data gathering, excelling at everything can be quite a task.

Smart Entrepreneurs know that making a business thrive is not a joyride. It’s filled with bottlenecks, changing trends and facing personal roadblocks.

Most say they’re always learning. And re-learning. Sometimes even ‘unlearning’.

Read candid insights from 6 Entrepreneurs about challenges – what functional or soft aspects of business they find tough, and the takeaways for the all of us.

Insights on Success Roadblocks in Business

Not all Skills are created equal  

The marketing is the hardest for me because I’m not strong
in it and really don’t understand it as well as I should to get attention for my business.

Earline Marshall, President & CEO, Marshall Management Group

I always find book-keeping to be a challenge.  I love the creative side of my business,  I am more challenged to sit down with numbers!

Laurie Tieman, Owner, Arrt Promotions

 Bottomline: Recognize the Pain Points 

Also Read 20 Soft Skills for Your Road to Success

There’s a will, but maybe not enough way

 I am better utilized in the areas that make money.  My biggest challenge at the beginning is being a one woman show. It requires a lot of time and personally meeting with other people to explain the idea since it’s never been done before. The face-to-face marketing is exhausting. I am currently looking for help so we can expand.  

 Camille Miller, Founder & Executive Director, The Natural Life Business Partnership

I’m so passionate about what we do, and what our ultimate goal is, that inevitably, where there’s a will, there’s a way. I’m not very adept at social media, but for the same reason, I’ve outsourced that to another Salary Coaching teammate.

Olivia Jaras, Founder, Salary Coaching for Women

Time management and finding the right assistant.

Dr. Syleecia Thompson, DYG Management Group

 Bottomline: Seek collaboration when you need to 

Also Read 7 Winning Tactics to Do Less and Achieve More

Can do it doesn’t mean we have to like it 

I personally hate the finance part so I farm that out to a skilled professional.  I really don’t like bookkeeping. Can understand it but it’s frustrating for me so I prefer not to take my time there.  I had a summer intern help with data entry too but I was doing it before that. It was a great way to learn.

I believe it’s important to do the job yourself before handing off a piece of your business for someone else to do, so you understand the challenges it brings.

Camille Miller,  The Natural Life Business Partnership

Accounting. I hate it.

Dr. Syleecia Thompson, DYG Management Group

 Bottomline: Leverage Strengths. Outsource the Rest 

Deal making Challenges

Once I get the client I am excited and enjoy the process of working with them and getting things done.  It’s making the pitch and closing the deal that I find most challenging.

Earline Marshall, President & CEO, Marshall Management Group

Sales is always the most challenging part of our business.  Acquiring new customers, diversifying into new verticals and staying ahead of the competitor are all key to staying viable and growing.

If we are not growing, we are going out of business.

Sandi Webster, Principal, C2G Partners

 Bottomline: Focus on the Success Lever 

Also Read 8 Tips to Perfect your Business Pitch

Regulatory Factors

Attracting new clients, especially because this service is not covered by insurance.

Nidhi Idnani, Owner, iReikiNow

I would say bookkeeping gets tricky because of doing business in other countries.

Olivia Jaras, Founder, Salary Coaching for Women

 Bottomline: You don’t (or can’t) Control it all 

Everyday brings a new Challenge

Most of our contracts are on a statement of work, attached to a purchase order, so payment terms and timing are already defined.  However, managing my day-to-day is challenging.  There is always a “fire drill” that happens where we have to go off course to take care of it, and getting back on track can be difficult.

Sandi Webster, Principal, C2G Partners

 Bottomline: Streamline and prioritize when things go off-track 

Takeways

Self Assessment – Do you have a clear picture?

Skill Mapping is a great way to evaluate your own abilities to find out what you do best and what you instinctively avoid or prefer to stay away from. Print and fill out the worksheet below to assess your skills & strengths.

Why not focus on what you do best!

The above exercise on Skill Mapping is a fun but spot-on way of prioritizing your work aligned with your skills.

Even if you run a tight ship and would rather not spend on hiring help right now, why not consider collaborating or bartering services. Many online platforms like Maroon Oak offer avenues to connect with other entrepreneurs who want to do the same (link).

Also Read 14 Great Ways Entrepreneurs Collaborate to Win

Add to your repertoire! We all are a work in progress 

The best leaders know at least a little of everything in their business. And you’re the captain of your ship.

Want to get comfortable with social media? Overcome the fear of public speaking? Learn a CRM system? Why not opt for learning in bite-sized pieces that’s fast and focused  towards your goal. If you need motivation, or have a friend who’s smart at a skill, make learning fun with a Girls Night Out learning.

The Small Stuff Counts!

“I actually don’t mind doing the little things,” says Camille miller. “It keeps me grounded in what it takes to be a business owner.  My life is very balanced so I know when to shut off and  make time for myself and my family. Time management is a challenge for most business owners but I seem to handle it well.”

Your skills will differentiate you from the pack, but acknowledging the weak areas and finding ways to combat them will truly open up your success path.

Go ahead – Skill Up or Skill Out. You can’t lose.

Pooja Krishna

Pooja Krishna is an Entrepreneur, Consultant and Mom. She has worked both in large corporates and managed startups over the last 20+ years. A co-founder of Maroon Oak, she’s also founded Win Thinks, a small business consulting company, and Trading Paces, which educates amateur and pro stock traders. 

A trivia buff and yoga & hula hoop enthusiast, Pooja loves spending time with her family playing board games and watching documentaries. 

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