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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that not everyone is cut out to be a “business owner”

140 replies

Ffwithfu · 13/12/2020 01:02

I’m probably being unreasonable but run a business that supports small business. Over lockdown I’m sorry to say that I’ve seen so many people that have no fucking clue thinking they can “start a business”.
From those who have no skills, to those who have done no actual research into the market. I’m fed up with the world and his wife thinking they can “run a business.

OP posts:
user1473878824 · 13/12/2020 01:06

Oh god I would be TERRIBLE at it. I’m an organised, capable person but that sort of thing is not for me. I’m always amazed by the amount of people who think they can just start a business and hey presto they’re a successful business owner.

tectonicplates · 13/12/2020 01:07

If there's not many jobs around and employers keep turning people down, is it any wonder that more people will give it a try?

Smallsteps88 · 13/12/2020 01:08

Well yes, I would have thought that goes without saying tbh. Just like not everyone is cut out to be a teacher or a police officer or a nanny.

Original poster
Ffwithfu · 13/12/2020 01:11

You’d think so but it’s all “so do I need to pay tax tjen@ or “how to do I get customers”

OP posts:
ViciousJackdaw · 13/12/2020 01:45

Then there's those people who do run businesses but spend their time slagging off their customers. Eeh, it's a rum old world...

thosetalesofunexpected · 13/12/2020 02:07

Often thought I could do better,
(than my now ex friends who has off the records side line small business selling small antique items.
(He asked me for help wonderjng why he couldnt shift particular items on one or two shelfs,he was clueless,😕
(i came over i had a look, pretty obvious,what the prob was, he had few nice items hiding in the back and a lot of unfashionable Tat stuff on all his shelves..

Interesting business to go into being like a magpie discovering items here and there,finding out about social history,etc
I would have more legit business going on...

But can understand the temptation to think nothing ventured nothing gained,
You, only live once set up a business you just never know how fruitful it could turn out

FlyNow · 13/12/2020 02:13

That's good for you isn't it OP? You'll never be out of business as there will never be a lack of businesses starting up needing your help.

FlyNow · 13/12/2020 02:16

Have you ever heard the saying "customers aren't an interruption to your work, they are your work."

But it's the same in every industry. I'm a nurse and some of my colleagues complain there are too many sick people around. Umm well yeah, what would you do otherwise?

FloraButterCookie · 13/12/2020 02:23

I have my own business.... there’s definitely something to be said for being an employee - work finished at hone time & a regular wage guaranteed.

davekim · 13/12/2020 04:57

While I was a SAHM I ran a small business. I worked VERY hard at it and loved it. It got bigger than I had meant it to, and so I gave it to a friend who had been looking for work, when I returned to teaching.

It collapsed after 3 months. She thought it was a cash cow and put in very little effort. As a result, all the longstanding clients went elsewhere.

BlusteryLake · 13/12/2020 05:10

Don't most businesses ask how they get customers? This is what sales and marketing departments are concerned with! Whilst I agree that not everyone is cut out for running their own business, it doesn't mean they are stupid, as your post seems to imply.

ImNotMeImSomeoneElse · 13/12/2020 05:16

Totally agree! I would also comment on the number of people that think as soon as you start a business then you are suddenly minted...

It really isn't like that.

ImNotMeImSomeoneElse · 13/12/2020 05:20

it doesn't mean they are stupid, as your post seems to imply

Nonsense.

There are many very intelligent people that don't have a clue how to run a business. Just like I don't have a clue how to take blood or maintain enough order in a classroom in order to teach children or manufacture widgets.

SnuggyBuggy · 13/12/2020 05:21

I remember as a young graduate during the 2008 recession "just start a business" amongst other shite advice was really common. Of course not everyone is capable of running a business or being self employed and it's not a good solution for large scale unemployment.

BoomBoomsCousin · 13/12/2020 05:37

YANBU at the same time, that's how a lot of people learn. Most of them learn they can't run a business, but they may also learn a lot of other things along the way (including, potentially, some respect for those who successfully do). A few will learn how to run one.

FortunesFave · 13/12/2020 05:45

I run a small business and have done for years. It's a digital service and a while ago my city were offering a free business training session - one to one with a specialist.

She was SHIT!

I told her all about my business and said I was interested in getting more attention through social media and she said "Have you tried leafleting?"

I just stared at her. It's beyond me how she talked her way into the PAID position in the first place!

Frannibananni · 13/12/2020 06:27

I used to be a chef, the number of people buying restaurants etc just to satisfy their ego is amazing. We know how much you like to eat out and socialise but running a business is hard work and you do have to know what you are doing.

Chalfontstgiles · 13/12/2020 06:36

@BlusteryLake

Don't most businesses ask how they get customers? This is what sales and marketing departments are concerned with! Whilst I agree that not everyone is cut out for running their own business, it doesn't mean they are stupid, as your post seems to imply.
This!
Mamanyt · 13/12/2020 06:36

YANBU in the least, and I've seen start-ups fail time and again. I probably could, but I have a strong background in management and basic bookkeeping, which is why I don't want to do so! Far too many people are thinking "I want to be my own boss." With the exception of a few dictators, that isn't even a thing. If you work for a company, you have one boss. If you own a company, every person who walks through your door is your boss. I tried to think of some business where you are truly your own boss, but even farmers have bosses...cattle and sheep and hens, O MY!!!

malificent7 · 13/12/2020 06:41

This " having a boss " thing really sucks!

Nitw1t · 13/12/2020 06:48

I'm an accountant. I see my business as the business of helping people run a business.

Of course people don't know, it's skills and knowledge I've built up through training and 20 years helping to run companies.

Some need more help than others, and understanding that is good business for me!!

GlendaBulb · 13/12/2020 06:49

@FortunesFave
I run a small business and have done for years. It's a digital service and a while ago my city were offering a free business training session - one to one with a specialist.
She was SHIT!
I told her all about my business and said I was interested in getting more attention through social media and she said "Have you tried leafleting?"
I just stared at her. It's beyond me how she talked her way into the PAID position in the first place!

^^
My experience was similar with a local Chamber of Trade expert. The advice was a joke, and that was obviously written all over my face as she apologetially spluttered that the help was generally aimed at people who wanted to know who would be paying their wages “now they are self employed”!

FortunesFave · 13/12/2020 06:52

Glenda Mine spluttered too! And I NEVER make people feel uncomfortable on purpose but I wanted her to feel like the fraud she was!

Taking money to give out that advice! What a joke!

Do you think people really asked her that? About who would be paying their wages now they're self employed??

yearinyearout · 13/12/2020 06:53

Agreed. I think I actually have certain skills that mean I could be good at it, in that I'm well organised, can prioritise tasks, am good at building relationships etc, but I'm also a worrier, so I would literally never switch off and it would drive me crazy.

Luckily I manage to work on a freelance basis so I have the flexibility without the hassle but don't make as much money.

speakout · 13/12/2020 06:57

Why are you so "fed up" about this OP?

Surely if you are "business that supports small business" then individuals who are naiive and need help us your opportunity?
If everyone was savvie and super clued up you wouldn't have a job.

I am also not sure I agree with you.
If you have a passion about an activity the rest is easy to learn.
A small business can be surprisingly easy to start.
I have been self employed for 16 years.
I would encourage anyone to give it a go, as long as you keep initial investment low and don't burn boats in case things go wrong.
But otherwise why not?