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Starting a small business might seem straightforward — but the reality is far more complex.
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By Author and Translator -Gaelle Rizkallah
Have you ever questioned how everyone has been opening small businesses lately? How fast everyone seems to get there? Or even how simple everyone is making it look?
Well, to put it differently: they want you to believe it is, when it really is not.
All everyone seems to think about when it comes to opening a business is how much profit it makes and how good it would be when you have a successful one.
However, you need to consider a lot of things when planning a business.
How challenging is it really to put a price on a product? The answer lies in psychology more than strategy. The fear of being perceived as too greedy or “overpricing” can sometimes result in undercharging, at the expense of making significant profit. We can all agree that the price determines the future of the business.
Consider this: one who sees an affordable product may question the quality of it. Can it really be good if it is cheap? How can they afford making a good product at such a price? Why not buy a more expensive and well-known version? This is the imposter syndrome that will limit a business’ potential and undermine its confidence. One who lacks confidence in what they are offering cannot sell nor attract.
This is particularly true in Lebanon, where people currently struggle with the costs of products. In reality, life in Lebanon since 2019 has turned the market upside down. With increased financial pressure, clients have become extremely careful regarding where and how they spend their money. Therefore, affordable product are often met with skepticism.
For business owners, there is always that fear of giving a bad first impression. After all, first impressions matter the most for a newly opened business. The struggle is even greater for Selen Designs as it is a preorder only business where pricing must account the time, the material, as well as the size of the handmade bag.
Another challenge is trying to please people, especially by comparing one’s products to cheaper alternatives. But as an entrepreneur who has just entered the game, you cannot please everyone, especially not at your own expense. The way to succeed is not by fitting in or trying to please every single customer; it is simply unprofitable.
Think again: are you pricing from fear or from value? How much faith do you have in your products?
When opening a business, few people anticipate just how much you might feel pressured to accept projects you don’t actually want to or even believe you need to.
This is a common struggle entrepreneurs suffer from, especially in the beginning of their path. It might seem obvious to some that turning down projects is a part of managing, but it is rarely that simple.
Taking all, or most of the opportunities coming your way will lead to an overload. Therefore, being overwhelmed will affect you not only physically, but also mentally. As you juggle so much work, your productivity suffers. It is nearly impossible to maintain the same focus as when trying to manage a single task. This can be even more challenging for smaller businesses run solo. The lack of support and labor come into play as being overwhelmed and burned out will be more likely.
In the eyes of a client, slow work means low productivity. Thus, the client may start to question the business’ professionalism, forming a bad impression. These somewhat poor experiences with customers will, over time, hinder their motivation to work harder and throw off the business’ balance.
However, at Selen Designs, time was dedicated to refine their skills and adapting their style to meet the expectations of the generation in question, before accepting every project.
So, saying “yes” to something is saying “no” to something else. But, to what? To your goals? To yourself? To the business’ potential? Or to its priorities?
As absurd as it may seem, some small businesses are held onto for too long, while others are stopped too quickly.
Let’s start about holding on for too long:
It’s not easy to admit that an idea is failing. It can feel like a shattering blow to your ego, or even to your heart. But sometimes, clinging to a failing idea will cost you more time, money, and effort. That’s what it means to hold on for too long.
So now, ask yourself: are you growing? Is your business at a stopping point or is it making success?
If there is growth, potential, or even just passion about what it is you are working on, then hold on. If you see a minimum of positive customer feedback, even if it is just two, then, hold on.
Now, what about quitting too soon?
Some people give up before giving their business a chance to thrive. The impatience can lead to abandoning so many promising ideas. Just because results aren’t immediate, it doesn’t mean that you are failing. Sometimes, giving up can seem easier to some, mainly when the financial pressure kicks in. Some may even be encouraged to give up due to criticism, like Selen Designs. But if you genuinely believe in your passion, and are committed to it, then no one and nothing can stop you.
If there is a sign of growth, why should you let it all go? Why give up on something you believe in? On the other hand, when costs are rising, results are inexistent, or motivation is lost for good, for many reasons, then it might be time to change the course of things.
To sum it all up, people fear failure. That is the biggest struggle that a lot cannot overcome. Failure is daunting and it does not come at an easy price. But some forget that you must go through failure to win. You must fall, over and over again, to get back up. Were the big well-known companies that inspire us always that big? Did they only see growth? Was their journey always easy?
Starting a business is far from easy. It is so much more than just making a product and trying to sell it. It’s about you, your confidence, and your ability to navigate all of the obstacles you’ll encounter along the way. So, the real question here is: does your business reflect your values, or are you just trying to fit in?
Selen Designs is a heartfelt small business of handmade crochet bags, founded by Sarah Hajj Assaf and her mother, Helene. There is something truly unique Selen Designs and it’s the deeply personal touch behind each product. Every bag is lovingly crafted by Helene herself, who brings years of skills and artistic vision to each piece, while Sarah manages the brand. Together, they’ve built a brand that celebrates both creativity and personalization as each client gets to pick their own bag design.
At the heart of every small business, there is a story of entrepreneurship, or the process of turning an idea into a business. It’s more than just profit, it’s about building something meaningful from the ground up. It’s also a journey filled with vision and courage to create something new. It involves problem solving, taking risks and innovating. But at its core, entrepreneurship is about persistence, creativity, and the drive to make an impact. Supporting small businesses means supporting the spirit of progress and art.
Gaelle Rizkallah is a Master’s student at Saint Joseph University, specializing in Conference Translation. From a young age, she has had a passion for translation and reading. Gaelle typically enjoys studying topics that are always on her mind, specifically ones that are not so spoken about. She likes to dive into the side of trends that are rarely thought of, and sides that should not be overlooked in her eyes.