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Staying motivated as a small business owner
By Lesley Goddin, Editorial Director and Senior Writer
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There are many joys to being an entrepreneur and operating your own business. Melissa Swan, Artisan and Co-Owner of Tilevita in Indian Harbour, Fla., explained, “There’s a saying ‘I’d rather work 100 hours for myself than work 40 for someone else’ and it could not be more true.”
Ashley Singer, Owner of Tile Jawn in Phoenixville, Pa., said, “My biggest joy comes from the freedom to be my own boss and make decisions that align with my values and vision. This satisfaction outweighs the challenges. Why should I build someone else’s castle, when I can build my own?”
And for Dawn Marie Davis, Managing Partner of Strong Work Renovations LLC in Lafayette, Colo., being her own boss is a “lifestyle choice and privilege that I honor,” knowing she is providing for herself, her family and her community. “Together with our homeowners we collaborate to create beautiful dream-come-true spaces in our community that will last a lifetime,” she said. “The moment the last tile is laid is literally one of my biggest joy moments,” she said, when all the decisions she made as a project manager and installer have brought a vision to life.
All that said, running a business is damn hard work, and sometimes the pressures of it can get to you. So these three small business owners shared their strategies for keeping profitable and sane, doing good work and enjoying what they do (most of the time).
Melissa Swan, Artisan and Co-Owner of Tilevita in Indian Harbour, Fla.
Primary challenges
Challenges and discouragements can suck the enjoyment right out of the job, but our entrepreneurs have found some work-arounds for keeping motivated when things go south.
Swan said she’s struggled with achieving a good work/life balance for years, but the magic formula of taking time off and simultaneously operating a profitable business seems to elude her. “Best thing I can really do is manage my mental health, remember to listen to injuries and focus on efficiency, and give myself some grace when I don’t do a great job,” she said.
Melissa Swan’s proudest creation to date. This Albuquerque, NM, shower featured 90 linear feet of mitering that provided a professional challenge – and victory.
Ashley Singer, Owner of Tile Jawn in Phoenixville, Pa.
Davis dreads personality issues with clients. Her company has established a multitiered process of engagement through email and then in person, urging clients to talk to all the company references. Then comes a Design and Price contract that includes a plan, materials list and cost estimate for each facet of the job. Finally a Building contract is drawn up, permits pulled and the job begins. “This process has helped greatly in identifying the right type of clients to work with and has helped me successfully avoid getting into a lengthy contract with one that is not a good fit for us,” Davis said.
The specter of uncertainty is the biggest issue that Singer faces – “whether it’s related to cash flow and profitability, finding customers, or navigating economic changes,” she said. “The pressure to wear many hats – handling everything from marketing to operations – can also be overwhelming.” Singer battles this by “staying organized, setting clear priorities, and taking things one step at a time. I also remind myself of why I started the business in the first place, which helps me push through tough times.”
Running a business can be exhausting. That’s why Ashley Singer contends it’s essential to “respect yourself” and replenish with hobbies and rejuvenating activities.
Dawn Marie Davis, Managing Partner of Strong Work Renovations LLC in Lafayette, Colo.
Support systems
All of our business owners rely on others for wisdom and support when things get tough. Singer turns to formal networking groups, online communities and informal chats to provide support and new ideas, plus a monthly in-person meet up with other small business owners.
Swan said she is “SURROUNDED” by successful people that can help her, and collaboration – not competition – is the order of the day.
Initially Davis felt she was “on an island with no support system,” since she viewed other similar businesses in her area as competitors, until she realized that few businesses are selling a similar outcome and product as Strong Work is.
“I would have never learned this if I hadn’t joined the NTCA and started attending training events and workshops,” she said. “That led to meeting others in our area that do similar work and creating a support system.” Not only does that cooperative network help her, but it’s a selling point to clients who know she has industry support and other locals to help if need be.
Strong Work Renovations LLC designed and built this extra large master bathroom by knocking down a wall between the existing bathroom and the nonconforming bedroom adjacent to it. In addition to the four-piece bath, the contractor put in a washer and dryer combo unit and extra closet. Davis designed and project managed and collaborated with other local NTCA tile contractors on part of the work as well as installed part of the project herself. “I managed some sort of balance in a way,” Davis said. “And the homeowners love it – and love us!”
Achieving balance
Swan, who earlier admitted that work/life balance is her biggest challenge, “has the best of intentions” of not working weekends but that doesn’t often pan out. “I’m always trying to find that magical unicorn that is ‘balance,’ because this is ridiculous,” she admitted.
Davis is in the same boat as Swan, pouring herself into her work until it’s complete and then coming “up for air when it makes sense based on project flow.” Her balance comes in the form of 2-3 weeks off every few months.
Singer lets her lifestyle drive her work schedule, putting herself first in the morning, with yoga or taking a walk or gardening. “If you want to live a happier life, it’s really important to keep independent hobbies and respect yourself,” she said. “If I am planning to work on several big jobs consecutively, there will absolutely be a scheduled couple of days where I rest and recharge.” Singer also is also developing several passive income streams that don’t stress her body and make her less dependent on tile work alone. “Sometimes the everyday work routine lets time pass way too quickly,” she said. “You’ve got to break it up and remember why you’re here.”