The Plight of the Small Business Owner

Why No One Can Build a Business Alone Anymore

By: Kitty Barbee

Walk into any neighborhood restaurant, boutique, or family-run shop and you’ll likely find a small business owner doing the jobs of five people. They’re the face of the business, the accountant, the marketer, the HR department, and the janitor—sometimes all before lunch.

While the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well, the challenges of running a small business in today’s economy are more complex than ever. Rising costs, digital demands, stiff competition, and labor shortages are just a few of the hurdles. And yet, many business owners still believe they have to do it all alone.

That mindset needs to change.

Modern Challenges: The Ever-Expanding Job Description

Small business ownership has always been demanding, but today’s landscape adds new layers of complexity:

• Soaring overhead from inflation, rent, and wages
• Cutthroat competition from global giants and e-commerce
• Digital marketing demands including SEO, social media, and online reviews
• Hiring struggles in a tight labor market
• Customer expectations for instant service, fast delivery, and constant availability
• Burnout, from trying to keep up with it all

• According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 58% of small business owners say inflation is their biggest concern, while 61% struggle to find and retain skilled workers.
• The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 50% of small businesses don’t make it past their fifth year.

These are sobering numbers—but they don’t mean failure is inevitable. They mean that no one should try to do it alone.

The “self-made” entrepreneur is a powerful image, but in reality no business succeeds without support. The belief that you must wear every hat, do every job, and be everything to everyone isn’t just unrealistic, it’s harmful.

Even the most successful entrepreneurs have accountants, mentors, assistants, advisors, and partners. If you’re trying to run a business completely solo, you’re not proving strength, you may be limiting your potential.

A strong team lets you focus on your strengths and outsource your weaknesses. Whether it’s bookkeeping, marketing, or customer service, delegating frees you to lead, grow, and breathe.

As an accountant who works closely with small business owners, I see this every day: clients exhausted from managing their own books, taxes, and financial decisions—often with little training or confidence, and usually after an already long workday. Overwhelmed by daily demands, they become paralyzed, and crucial aspects of the business are pushed aside.

Your “team” doesn’t need to be a full payroll of employees. It can be:

• A bookkeeper or accountant who keeps your numbers in order
• A virtual assistant who handles administrative tasks
• A marketing freelancer who helps you get noticed
• A mentor or coach who helps you stay on track
• Smart tools that automate repetitive tasks

The good news? You don’t need to build a corporate structure to create a support system. Start small:

• Hire one contractor or consultant
• Join a local business network
• Invest in accounting software like QuickBooks—and learn how to use it properly
• Connect with peers who understand your journey
• Use affordable freelance platforms for graphic design, social media, or web help
• Take time to connect with your local business resources

The key is to stop doing everything yourself—and start building the right kind of support around your goals.

First Steps Toward Support

Here’s how to begin building your team:

1. Identify the biggest time-wasters or stress points
   (Finances? Marketing? Admin?)
2. Start small with one area
   Outsource bookkeeping, or get trained in QuickBooks to streamline your workflow.
3. Ask your network
   Other entrepreneurs can refer reliable experts and tools.
4. Join a community
   Find a mastermind group, online forum, or local small business meetup.
5. Change your mindset
   Leadership isn’t doing everything yourself. It’s knowing what to delegate.

Small business ownership is one of the toughest, most rewarding paths out there—but it doesn’t have to be isolating. Success today isn’t about being a lone superhero. It’s about knowing when to ask for help and building a team that lifts your business up.

Whether you need someone to manage your books, help with your marketing, or empty your inbox —there are people ready to support you.

About Kitty Barbee

Kitty is the owner of Barbee Business Services, as well as a partner in her latest venture NorthEast Tax Services. Although her services include QuickBooks Training & Support, Financial Consulting, and Tax Preparation, she prides herself and her experienced team for taking the time to sit with clients, listen to their concerns, and help them navigate through their own unique financial challenges.  For more information about Personalized QuickBooks training, Affordable accounting and financial services,  and Expert tax preparation and planning visit www.barbeebusinessservices.com for a complimentary  consultation.