Business Ownership - One Year Reflection
Business ownership is not easy.
Today, a close friend of mine mentioned that they hadn’t seen a newsletter from me in too long. While this writing may not make it to newsletter form, it at least got me to sit down and write some thoughts down. Thank you Shelley.
Business ownership is not easy. Having now been in business for a year, it’s easy to feel accomplished and proud. This feeling is quickly replaced by the conventional fear, doubt and anxiety once the light bulb in the front bathroom goes out or one of our favorite members decides to switch gyms.
Then there are the people. Our staff at Soma and the smiles they bring me. The people who make time in their day to train and bring their energy to our world, in many cases for years on end. My partner, Jess, who packs a lunch for me when I forget to, or my mom who trains with me twice a week like clockwork, ending each training day with a hug.
Business ownership is not easy. It’s filled with daily frustration when things don’t go as planned. Equipment breaks, the power goes out, the soap dispenser runs out of soap. Life goes on and it’s easy to get overwhelmed. I’ve felt it and continue to at times.
Then there are the conversations with Jes Hill about how to improve our consultation process, how to drive better health outcomes or make a safer space for people who need one. Then there are conversations about Emma looking to pursue a new certification or Sam looking to take on more responsibility to “lighten the load”. Those moments stand out because they’re an example of people doing the work to make the world around them a better place. An example of what can happen when people work together to build a culture of trust, respect and effort.
Business ownership is not easy. All it takes is one phone call from a competitor on Thanksgiving Day trying to undercut our pricing structure, or one email from a member frustrated about how we aren’t open on the weekend yet.
Then there are the members asking to have their birthday party at Soma, or the brothers that train together every week, or the mother and son who share training times, or the coworkers that are also in each other’s wedding. It’s difficult to find a feeling better than saying, “guys, I’m not feeling great today” and getting the response of “what can we do to make it better for you”. These moments remind me that we’re not solely a gym, we’re a place for people to build relationships. Another place for people to build and care for their own community to take on life.
Business ownership is not easy. Year one is brutal trying to build up emergency funds, figure out apparel orders, onboard an intern, coach the clients and don’t forget to plan for the future! With so many balls up in the air, it’s ridiculous to think that they’ll all stay up.
Then there are the days where Sam takes it upon himself to replace the batteries in the soap dispenser, or Emma closes up the gym and checks all the doors to make sure they’re locked, or Ethan, the cleaning guy, coming in and going above and beyond, ignoring the cleaning list because at the end of the day, he is just looking to do a good job. Days like that remind me what is possible when many hands are involved. When people share values and want to be in a place that’s successful. When that happens, the balls don’t just stay in the air, they multiply.
Business ownership is not easy.
It sure is fun though.
Happy one year Soma VT! Thank you to all who have made it possible.