Throw the whole business away

At just 14 years old I began one of the countless jobs I would hold in my lifetime. Honestly, I knew then that I was not going to be an employee for the rest of my life. In my opinion, being overworked, underpaid, and undervalued was giving immediately no vibes. As I matured, I began to realize just how much I despised authority, the manager and employee dynamic, and the overall structure of most corporate jobs. It wasn't long before I started to dabble in Entrepreneurship and seeing the endless possibilities were exciting.

I started approximately 10 different businesses in several different industries before I finally got to the one that I aligned with perfectly and things took off! In 2020 I was finally able to leave a full-time job and run my business full-time. This was a huge accomplishment for someone like myself, who grew up in poverty with both parents deceased by the time I was 17 years old. My first year in business was a 6 figure year and I have only continued to grow from there. But do not get it twisted, as a black woman, with a family, and a few mental illnesses, running a business can be an overwhelming and a scary experience some days.

Some days I have had to put in 12 to 14 hours to get things done only to sometimes ponder if the results are even worth all the effort. I have had days when I get so overwhelmed with my workload that my body freezes and I can't seem to physically get anything done. As much as I love being able to control my time and not having to answer to anyone, being the CEO is not for everybody. There are some days when all you want to do is throw the whole business away! Whether you've been running a business for a few years or a few decades, everyone gets to a point when you feel like just throwing in the towel.

But let's be real, Black Girl Magic is needed in large doses out here, so quitting is not an option. My daughters need to see that limits don't exist when it comes to creating your own success as a Black Woman with tenacity and skill. Throwing the whole business away is definitely a weekly thought but there is also an "immediately no" mindset that follows.

Honestly, quitting my business would have a huge impact on my finances because where am I going to work? I have been independent for far too long to work for someone else and survive. Ultimately, quitting would also impact my sense of accomplishment. But I know I am not the only Black Girl CEO out here feeling overwhelmed or burned out some days. So, it just might be time for us to step back and evaluate why we are feeling this way.

One of the biggest reasons women decide to quit running their businesses is because of a lack of support. From family to colleagues, to clients, there are often few people willing to provide the encouragement and guidance needed to help your business succeed. This can be especially discouraging when you're trying to build and sustain something of your own.

Another common reason is the lack of resources. Many black women in entrepreneurship don't have access to the same level of financial support or business mentorship. This can lead to feelings of frustration and discouragement, as we try to figure out how to grow and scale a successful business without some of the necessary resources.

Finally, deciding to quit could also stem from not seeing the financial success you need to see in order to continue growing your business. When there are mouths to feed and bills to pay and "the math ain't mathing" we have to make quick moves and even quicker decisions. However, this entrepreneurial lifestyle is not easy, so experiencing some challenges is expected. But how you handle being knocked down will determine how strong you will bounce back. It's important to remember that success doesn't happen overnight. Take your time and invest in training and resources to help you to continue to grow personally and professionally.

Sometimes we have to reassess and reevaluate what we need to do to be successful but also stay sane. Bad days are inevitable so go easy on yourself. I know I have to remind myself of this quite often. Wanting to throw the whole business away isn't a sign of weakness, or that you have completely given up. I would say it's a sign that you're probably heading into a new season of your business and have outgrown your current business setup. Or possibly, that you are not allotting enough self-care time for yourself. Either way, it's not the end, it's just a recalibration.