Is your retail store a business or a job

A few weeks ago, the question came up in The Boutique Academy about being a business owner vs. buying or creating yourself a job.

So, what’s the difference? And is one better than the other?

A job versus a business.

This is a big issue many business owners face.

They open a store because they are passionate about a product, and soon realize there is more ‘paperwork’ involved in the running of the business, than there is time working in the store.

It’s not just the physical paperwork, of paying bills and ordering stock. It’s working out marketing calendars, editorial calendars, creating content, networking, updating social media, hiring people, managing staff, making sure your accounts are done and that you’re up to date with any current legislation in your field.

I have a saying, if it can’t run without you there all the time, it’s just a job.Click To Tweet

So, is it wrong to create yourself a job.

Well, yes and no. The answer lies within you and what you want from your business.

Download This Retail Biz Strategy To Work Out Your Role In Your Business

The key is to define what your role should be.

If your focus is to just work in the store, then it’s your responsibility to map you what your role is within this business of yours.

You need to get your systems, your cash flow and your own business acumen up to a level where you bring in someone else to act in the ‘CEO’ or business administrator type role.

And therein lies many small business owners decline into burnout, and eventual closure, because they are trying to be every part of the business. It’s too much.

I can tell you from experience, that working all week by yourself drains you very quickly.

You’ll be facing burnout within 18 months if you don’t have someone in-store helping you out, whether that’s on the shop floor, or in the administrator role.

As the creator of this business, it’s your responsibility to set income targets for your overheads and outgoings.

Mao that out for the year, and work out when you should be looking to hire another team member, or administrator, even if it’s on a part time basis, and add that into your projections.

Remember, You should be able to make a wage, even if you aren’t in the store – not right from day one of course, but you should have a goal for when this point should occur.

When you go on holidays, or if you get sick, someone else (and you) needs to be confident enough to run the store with your systems and processes and you should still draw a wage.

Because, you would if you worked for someone else right?

So, what is your current role in your store, and what role do you want to hold in the future?Click To Tweet