I’m cycling down a paved path along the park. It’s a cool day, still a bit breezy after a wicked storm the night before. As I turn a corner to avoid an unusally large puddle, I’m stopped. Across the path is a fallen tree.
There are a few things I can do. I can turnaround and head back home — the ride is over because I can’t possibly go further. I can find a way to go around the tree, which might mean struggling to get through ankle-deep water-soaked grass or even worse, mud. Or, I can stop and remove the tree from the path. This might hurt, but it will clear the way forward.
Growing a new business isn’t a lot different. You’re going to face roadblocks along the way that will try to take you out.
How you handle challenge is up to you
My business partner and I have been trying to get our small business off the ground. We’ve encountered more than one obstacle along the way, but up until now, they’ve been more of the puddle type. However, this month, I think we’ve hit a fallen tree. We have a funding gap. So, what can we do?
- Give up? Cut our losses and put our dream of launching our business behind us? We believe in our product and are heavily invested in its success. If we quit now, we not only give up on our goals, but we also let our supporters down, people who are promoting our efforts.
- Find another way? Investment dollars come in various shapes and sizes from online fundraising platforms to peer-to-peer fundraising to finding an angel investor. When one option doesn’t fit, another one might.
- Move the obstacle? The strategy we’ve employed isn’t working. It could be because it’s not targeting the right audience or giving us enough exposure. When this happens, you need to stop what you’re doing and move on.
I’ll borrow this quote from Morgan Freeman:
“Challenge yourself: It’s the only path that leads to growth.”
Every experience is a learning experience and will help define your brand, your target audience and the strategies that work for you. When you find yourself faced with a challenge, know that you’re not alone. Take time to step back, assess your plan and adjust where needed. Talk to other business owners who’ve had the same challenges or seek out expertise to help you get there.
You got this. Don’t let a roadblock take you down.
Writing for you. 