“Share one of your toughest challenges as a business owner.”
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Most people think that handling a “crisis” during the pandemic (see my post yesterday), or having had to close down two centres during socio-political upheaval are the toughest challenges I’ve had to go through.
Yes, those were difficult. But there’s one more experience that I haven’t shared.
One of the hardest things I’ve ever had to deal with was facing my team after the announcement of a pay cut.
This was exactly a year ago— at the height of the uncertainty of the pandemic. In the face of ensuring we would be able to survive longer, a short-term pinch was required.
Nevertheless, it was still one of the most painful experiences I’ve had to go through in six years (of running a business). I didn’t know what I could say to make things better. All I knew was that hardworking people didn’t go home with their full salary that month, and it hurt.
These people turned out to be real heroes, though. Our teammates told us that in spite of all uncertainties, they would stand by our side as we painstakingly steered our course. If our company is still standing, it is because they stood by us when they could have chosen not to.
My gratitude to them keeps me persevering. If THEY didn’t give up, neither should I. So when people wonder how I manage working for weeks with barely a day off, a big part is because I am driven to make sure I value the collective sacrifice of the team...
And of course, to ensure that, God help us, they will always go home each month with all that their hard work is due 💪🏼
#entrepreneurship
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