Wow, I can’t believe it, it’s 31 years since I registered my first business name, back in 1993, the business was SGH Security Services, which I still have registered now, and it was the start of my contracting work within the security industry.
Part of the reason I started the business, and the reason still exists today, I wanted to help a range of business owners as a contractor, as I believe businesses need help to grow, but also with thier operations to help them continue to support thier clients.
Whilst I contracted to a semi small company at the time, who inturned contracted to one of the larger security companies and I was able to watch the small company increase from 4 staff to around 30 staff by 2005.
In 2012 I then started SGH Business Services, which was inplace to support other business owners, as thier business mentor, coach, advisor, helping them to gain the confidence and skills they need to operate thier business and grow and continue to be a successful business in the near future.
The journey has been a great journey, I have enjoyed the majority of it, however I wont say it has always been easy, hours running a business, not seeing family, or being able to attend all the family events, has been difficult, however family and those closest to you, normally understand that work at times comes first.
I think in 2024, its been one of the hardest years, clients signing up to use your services, however then deciding they cant afford to go ahead with the service and cancel or postpone the work, to another time, the cost of living, interest rates etc as made it difficult, and bought all the challenges with business ownership.
I have small business owners, find part time work to ensure they still have money coming in whilst operating thier business, some have even thought they need to justify this to others, and my thoughts are- you need money to survive, it is no ones business but yours, so dont feel you owe your clients or potential clients a explanation. However you need to consider whether you really have the time to service your clients whilst working for another person.
In closing- running a business brings challenges, it is stressful, it impacts your personal life and family life at times, until you gain a good work/ life balance, however it is a marathon and not a sprint, give it your best shot, and remember there are people out there to asisst you.
