You’re Not the Problem

Why So Many Small Business Owners Feel Alone—and What to Do About It

I can’t count how many times I’ve heard a small business owner say, “I just feel like I’m doing something wrong.”

They’re tired. They’re frustrated. They’re convinced the systems are broken, the team isn’t aligned, or they themselves just aren’t working hard enough.

Let me say this clearly: you’re not the problem.

Entrepreneurs are scrappy, smart, and driven. You’re the kind of person who moves fast, solves problems in real time, and pivots without needing a full-blown committee meeting. That’s your strength—but it’s also what makes things messy.

When you move quickly, there’s rarely time to pause and evaluate every system or option. But slowing down? That opens the door to analysis paralysis. So you either:

• Run fast and clean up the mess later

• Or freeze trying to find the “perfect” solution before taking a step

Meanwhile, folks who do like to spend time on structure and systems? They’re often working for someone else, getting paid to come in later and “fix” things once your vision is already live.

The Truth About Growth Mode

In the early and growth phases of a business, money is tight, time is tighter, and the margin for error feels non-existent.

You're not building your dream company from a perfectly manicured operations playbook.

You're building it in the trenches.

Week to week.

Sometimes check to check.

This is where most small businesses hit a wall—not because they lack hustle or heart, but because they’re stuck doing everything themselves.

Sound familiar?

• You’re managing sales, hiring, training, marketing, and client delivery
• You know systems could help, but you don’t have the time to research or implement them
• You want help, but you don’t think you can afford it

So, What Can You Actually Do?

1. Stop White-Knuckling It

Yes, you're scrappy. Yes, you could probably duct-tape together a solution yourself. But that’s how you ended up overwhelmed in the first place.

DIY isn’t always the answer.

(And I say that as someone who loves a good DIY project.)

Sometimes, the smartest move is knowing when to bring in support—even if that looks like fractional help, an intern, or trading sweat equity.

Can’t hire a six-figure ops leader?

You probably don’t need to. At The Scale Theory, I work with small businesses to solve this exact problem—helping you build better systems, document training, increase visibility online, and make strategic decisions at a fraction of the cost.

2. If You Can't Afford Help, Get Creative

• Internships: Yes, they’ll need guidance—but their fresh perspective can be gold
• Barter: If you have a skill someone else needs, trade services
• Equity-based or pay-for-performance partnerships: Offer equity for long-term support from someone you trust and believes in your mission

BUT be honest with yourself: is it that you can’t afford help, or you’re just not used to asking for it?

3. Do a Time Study

If you're not sure where to start, begin by tracking your time.

I’ll link to a guide in a future post, but here’s the gist:

Track what you’re doing for 5-7 days. Categorize your work. Find out:

• What tasks drain your energy?
• What could be automated, delegated, or paused?
• What’s keeping you up at night?

This is how you find out what’s truly urgent vs. what’s just noise.

4. Find a Community

Being a founder is lonely—but it doesn’t have to be.

• Join a local business networking group
• Find a mentor or accountability partner
• Ask your friends or family for feedback
• Get in some good Facebook or LinkedIn groups where people are actually helpful

And when you do talk to someone, remember: you’re not looking for someone to tell you what to do.

You’re looking for someone to think through it with.

Half the time, just saying it out loud helps you realize you already know the answer.

5. Remember: They’re Not Always Right

The coaches, the consultants, the books—they can be wrong.

What worked for them might not work for you.

That doesn’t mean their advice is useless. It just means you’re gathering data, not gospel.

Final Thought

If you’re in a season where everything feels hard, you’re not broken. You’re building.

And if you need help—really need help—ask for it.

That’s not weakness. That’s leadership.

And no, you don’t have to do it alone anymore.