Small businesses fail. Everyone says so. I say so.

But there are exceptions.

Some small businesses succeed.

I recently met with the owner of a gym to interview her about her success. The interview went awry almost from the start. As I asked questions about why she started the business, her target market and her long-range plans for success, she became more and more despondent.

It turned out she had started the business with a business partner (who was also her husband). Much of the projected income for the business was based on her business partner’s current client base. In less than a year, the marriage dissolved, for personal reasons, not business, but the result was the loss of not only a marriage but an important and integral business partner.

When I showed up to discuss success, my questions created anxiety, sorrow and a sense of failure. Six months into this business shake up, the new sole owner was feeling overwhelmed, exhausted and sad.

This business will not fail. Even with the loss of clients it doesn’t run at a loss, but it no longer satisfies the owner and that needs to change. According to personal growth blogger, James Clear, there are stages of failure. This gym business can benefit by considering changes in each area.

Failure of Tactics

“Stage 1 is a Failure of Tactics. These are HOW mistakes. They occur when you fail to build robust systems, forget to measure carefully, and get lazy with the details. A Failure of Tactics is a failure to execute on a good plan and a clear vision.”

The changes in the partnership created changes in the systems. Instead of sharing the training and teaching tasks with another now there was only one. A failure to adjust to this new reality was quickly leading to burn out. One person was now responsible for teaching four classes, doing personal training and cleaning the equipment. System changes are needed before a physical injury or illness creates chaos.

Failure of Strategy

“Stage 2 is a Failure of Strategy. These are WHAT mistakes. They occur when you follow a strategy that fails to deliver the results you want. You can know why you do the things you do, and you can know how to do the work, but still choose the wrong what to make it happen.”

The failure here was an understandable inertia. With the loss of an important asset, like a business partner with a lucrative client base, a new strategy is required. In this case, a search for a new business partner, one with “skin in the game” should become the new strategy. An attempt to do it all, all alone, while grieving is a failure of strategy.

Failure of Vision

“Stage 3 is a Failure of Vision. These are WHY mistakes. They occur when you don’t set a clear direction for yourself, follow a vision that doesn’t fulfill you, or otherwise fail to understand why you do the things you do.”

A new, unwelcome reality requires a new vision for the business. Business as usual is no longer an option. The adjustment may be painful but if the underlying goal remains an income from work that satisfies and brings joy, then self-examination, (using the tools in my book of course) is necessary.

Are you feeling the hot breath of failure? Don’t despair, do something! Start with thinking through your tactics, your strategy and your vision. You can coach yourself, by reading and doing the work suggested in my book, or, if that seems too overwhelming. Contact me.

Photo from Google