Balancing Boring in Business
Entrepreneurs are often drawn to unprofitable business ideas.
The pull of something that sounds fun or is aligned with your passions
Can make you blind to the economic realities:
Your crafting business probably won’t make you a billionaire
Sustainability is noble, but unfortunately most customers won’t pay more for it
Clothing stores, independent event spaces, yoga studios, restaurants, food or beverage products - most of these businesses sound super fun, but can be very challenging to run profitably
When you review the financial statements of enough startups, you start to notice a corellation:
Fun businesses = bad P&L
Boring business = good P&L
Generally speaking, if the business you’re starting sounds like an awesome time,
And there aren’t huge barriers to others starting one too,
Then running that business will involve low prices and lots of competition from folks who, “Aren’t in it for the money.”
But here's the thing:
If you're currently running a business, you're probably already well-aware of this trend.
You're likely already suffering or skating because of it.
And...
Keep in mind, this rule can go too far:
As a CEO, you have to at least LIKE running your business
Or else, you’ll have no motivation to keep going.
The engine that really keeps a business running is:
Cash + Owner Energy
So, unless your business makes lots of cash,
You’d better have the energy.
A business you hate running
Probably won’t be a business you run for long.
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