What Makes Me Excited About Running A Small Business

It’s been over three years now since I started Schmooz Media, and I don’t spend nearly as much time blogging myself as I used to —but I want to make the effort to blog more often because from the beginning, being able to write as part of my livelihood was part of what made me so excited about this business.

While the quality of work and the act of being able to work creatively excites me, over the past few years, I have discovered a lot of joy in many different aspects of the business.

1. Continuing to see happy clients reach their goals and feel empowered by the work we do

As “the boss” of the business, I often say that my performance review is either a happy or unhappy client. Unfortunately, hopefulness and frustration, excitement and anxiety often contribute to the process of working with technology to do exactly what we want it to do and to determine the ways that social marketing does or doesn’t work for your company. Schmooz wants to have a part in it all because building a great relationship with a client means being there when things are great and when things are difficult…. so when we see a client feeling empowered as a result of learning and tangible results (happens daily!), I feel great, I feel motivated and I feel inspired.

2. Growing Large Enough to Require Purchasing a Proper Management Software for the Company

Did this really happen this past summer? Yes, it sure did. In the quiet hours of the day, I was busy at work trying to get our new software up and running. What does this tool do? It centralizes all of our client relationship management information and allows us to convert approved work orders into projects that my team can bill hours against. Arriving at the point where I’m ready to take the leap into a more built out platform is a big deal! It’s hard to get everything right and to get the team fully onboarded, but I know how great the software will be for the business and I’m pumped!

3. Learning that I can act as bookkeeper and accountant when I need to

Communications and creativity are my natural strengths, but I have learned that many of my instincts relating to money and finances are often correct. I know when something doesn’t feel right and I know when the math doesn’t make sense. Of course, I have professionals who help me along the way because I’m not a STAR in this area, but my confidence has grown so much. When my skillset grows alongside the business, I know that I am filling my time with a worthwhile venture.

4. Collaborating and laughing with my amazing and growing team

I am honoured to be able to pay my team for their work. It’s part of what gives me joy in running a business. When awesome people (the Schmooz Team) get to do great work for other awesome people (Schmooz clients), I feel like I am helping make amazing things happen. The laughter and collaboration that continues as my team goes through challenges and triumphs cannot be beat. I thrive when I hear the buzz of excitement in a room and I am proud of my team.

5. Accepting that I am human and going with the flow much more easily. Learning that what I thought was true a year ago, isn’t necessarily still true today… and that’s okay!

Naturally, this means that what I accept as true today might not be true in a year from now. Is there really joy in changing? Sometimes it feels like a pain, sometimes change and challenge are exhausting. The truth is though, that if we weren’t changing, evolving and constantly being challenged we’d probably be:

1. Bored
2. Unhappy
3. Not getting any bigger as a company
4. Not getting any more efficient as a company
5. Not able to offer the same excitement to our clients every day (change and challenge helps the brain come up with new ideas!)
6. All of the above

…. and I don’t want any of that!

These are just a few examples of things that give me a feeling that my time and energy are being well spent.

Are you a business owner? When you reflect, what are the things in your workday that bring you joy? I’d love to hear about your experiences!

Zoe

Schmooz Media is a Full Service Social Media Marketing Business, helping small-mid size businesses get the most social ROI possible. We’re passionate about giving your business actionable, measurable and meaningful results. Learn more about what Schmooz can do for you, or contact us with your inquiries today.