The article discusses the results of a survey conducted by Keap that reveals the four different segments of entrepreneurs: Overwhelmed, Gratified, Growth-Focused, and Connected. 28% of entrepreneurs feel Overwhelmed, struggling to manage and grow their businesses and worrying about their ability to succeed. In contrast, 26% of Gratified small business owners genuinely enjoy working in their businesses and feel successful, while 25% of Growth-Focused entrepreneurs have achieved a certain level of success and are hungry for more. Meanwhile, 22% of entrepreneurs are Connected, wearing their small business pride like a badge of honor, and deeply committed to their clients and emotionally invested in their businesses.
When it comes to Entrepreneurial overwhelm, Clate Mask, co-founder of Keap, believes that business owners wear all the hats in their companies, putting enormous pressure on them to handle all the company’s needs while rarely having enough time to handle all their wants. To overcome this, Mask recommends investing in systems that can automate tasks such as sales and marketing, scheduling, e-commerce, and reporting, to regain control of their schedules and gain peace of mind that crucial tasks are not falling through the cracks.
According to Mask, most entrepreneurs aspire to be Connected, Gratified, and Growth-Focused, but connecting with clients takes considerable time, something most entrepreneurs do not have. This lack of time is also the reason many entrepreneurs struggle to focus on growth initiatives, with Mask emphasizing that, without growth, businesses will ultimately die. Prioritizing growth-focused initiatives is a key part of surviving, and entrepreneurs need to nurture leads, follow up with customers, upsell when possible, and regularly find new customers.
When aiming for the Gratified stage and genuinely enjoying their work, entrepreneurs need to embrace automation and delegation, two practices that free up their time to focus on their core strengths while leaving their team or technology to handle the rest. Additionally, entrepreneurs should avoid working around the clock, set boundaries, and take time to unplug, focus on their physical and mental health, and be with loved ones. Finally, getting a business coach who can challenge, guide, and hold entrepreneurs accountable can catapult their company into the stratosphere.