Business Link

You would think that starting up a business and doing well during a recession would be enough to boost your confidence sky high. However, I find it is a constant battle of highs and lows. Although I helped start Roots Farmshop with my cousin Baz and the rest of the family, I find myself often feeling quite alone. This is not to say I am negative about the business’ future on the contrary I feel it will go from strength to strength. It is more that at sometimes, I feel all the responsibility is on my shoulders, that any complaints we get no matter how small, are my failing as a boss. It is often difficult to separate myself personally from the business; I need to remember that the business is an expression of me and that it is not me. Customer feedback is critical evaluation not personal criticism.

I am currently finding leadership to be an ongoing battle with myself. I am a total control freak and need to learn that authority comes from letting go of control in order to be in control. I need to delegate more, so that I get more time to do the important things that will enable the business to expand. I also cannot find time to get paperwork done during the day as I think (stupidly I know) that the staff cannot cope without me, therefore I spend too much time on an evening doing paperwork instead, does this sound familiar to anyone? 

Finally it is easy to get dragged down by negativity, especially during a recession, whenever I have to make an important spending decision, I find myself scared about whether I am making the right choice, what will happen if I am wrong, but I just keep saying to myself “feel the fear and do it anyway” (RedBeech, 2009).