Relationship + business = disaster

[redlottie13]

Hi guys, I wanted to ask advice from you busy business owners.

I've been with my partner 3 years, very very happy.
However we have had a horrid year. We went through a still birth.....I threw myself into the business and it's paid off, we have been open one year and I'm taking on more staff to help.

The issue is my partner and son have been saying they are playing second to my business as I'm always working!

They are supportive but I understand it's now getting to the point I'm working 15 hours per day and 7 days a week!

I'm working in the salon and then sorting out the business side of the salon out of hours/weekends.

How do I be successful and keep everyone happy?

Any tips?
Please help I'm scared I'll lose him x

 

[BannerPenguin]

I think it's worth having a chat with your partner and being honest and recognising you are listening to what they're saying.

I've been there, done that in terms of 100+ hour weeks all the time and it's not sustainable as a business or personal. You end up burnt out, no holidays etc. and all you earn can't even be enjoyed so what's the point?

It's a case of 'work on your business, not in your business'. If you're really busy, raise your prices and work less but earn more. Staff is a huge headache (see the continuous threads on here) so think carefully as that in some ways is likely to make things worse.

When I say work on your business and not in it I mean things like accounting etc. hire a bookkeeper. Won't cost much and saves you a few hours a week.

 

[salonfrog]

Absolutely agree with BannerPenguin!

As we tell our Clients: “you can do anything you want, but you can’t do everything”.

We follow the E-myth guide religiously and it works:
https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Revisited-Small-Businesses-About/dp/0887307280

It’s easy to get sucked into killer hours and end up suffering. I’ve been there too.

 

[squidgernetball]

I work extremely long hours and now employ my husband, my daughter and two more staff. There is a huge amount of pressure. I do ask for support. As in “don’t moan at me, help me” and that has helped. There are things I sometimes HAVE to do, whether it gives everyone the hump or not so I try and get support. My family have got a lot better. I also ‘clock’ in and out. Today (Sunday) I have done about 6 hours work. I decided early on to stop at 4.30 which I did and spent some time with the fam. I could easily have carried on and on and on. I’m now also a distributor and trainer for a skincare range which has really piled it on (while doing a level 4 skin diploma and level 3 a and p [emoji85][emoji85][emoji85]). I spent most of last night reading in the spare room as I was just so wired. But that won’t help you lol.

SO yes, work on your business not just in it. I am a lot better at keeping up with accounts etc. If you can delegate then do. I’m brilliant at accounts but I would much rather pay an accountant than fret over that as well. As I said to my accountant no one pays me to do accounts , they pay me to wax legs lol!!!

Try and make it your families journey, not just yours and don’t be afraid to ask for help!!!

Good luck x