On average, 4.4 million businesses are launched each year in the United States. So much advice is available for new entrepreneurs who are ready to start a new business. But when it was time to make the difficult decision to close my first one, support was hard to find.
According to Forbes Advisor, 20% of businesses fail in the first year, 30% in the second year and 50% by year five. I closed my local dress rental service back in 2019 and received so many questions and messages as to why I shut it down.
If you’re teetering between staying burned out, or calling it quits as an entrepreneur or side hustler, here are a few things to consider before making a decision.
You’re Staying Because You’re Afraid To Disappoint People
I was knee-deep in the process of shutting down the business when I decided to announce our closure. It was a whirlwind, and I didn’t have much time to really think about why I was doing it.
When I finally chose to close, the impact this business had on women’s lives truly surprised me. Friends and family members cared about me and wanted to know what my next steps would be. It’s nice to have that kind of support, even if they had never set foot in our store.
They followed my journey from leaving my day job to going out on my own. I stalled from closing even sooner because I was afraid to admit I had failed after trying to be brave for so long.
Customers were almost in tears over our business’ closure, and it made me realize the significance of what we had built.
Some of our loyal customers wanted to know why we were closing because they loved the convenience and savings we offered. I totally understood their disappointment, as we had built strong relationships with them. It felt really sad that we would no longer provide the service, and see their faces on a regular basis.
But ultimately, the vast majority of people were happy for me, and several customers followed me to my next business years later, thanks to the relationships we built.
Someone Else Can Carry Out The Vision Better Than You
According to Zippia, 82% of small businesses that fail experience cash flow problems. Financial difficulties were not the reason for my business’ closure. The company didn’t have any outstanding debts or unpaid loans. I personally funded the business, and our team managed its finances responsibly. In fact, potential buyers were amazed to learn that our brick-and-mortar location was debt-free. It’s not something you see every day in the retail world.
The second reason many businesses fail is 42% find an insufficient need for their product or service, according to Zippia. If you experience cash flow challenges or not enough demand, those are obvious points to consider in potentially calling it quits. We also had strong demand for our service since we were the only local dress rental service. So the reasons to eventually close my business weren’t immediately obvious to me.
But when I announced the closure, several people expressed interest in buying the business. Through those interviews, I learned there were other people who were more passionate and better positioned to run it, or a competing brand. I realized I carried that same excitement when I first started, but my commitment had waned over the years, and others might be able to better serve the community than I could.
Your Measures Of Success No Longer Align, And That’s Okay
Success means different things to different entrepreneurs. My dress rental business made money, had a decent customer base, and remained debt-free throughout its three-year journey. Of course, our team faced challenges, especially during slower seasons. But overall, we achieved a level of success that aligned with my personal goals when I first started.
Ultimately, the core reason for closing was it no longer fulfilled the professional and personal purposes I had envisioned. When I look back at who I was when I started the business in 2016 and compare it to who I am now, I see significant growth and change. It was also a steppingstone into entrepreneurship to leave my corporate day job that I loathed at the time.
But I wasn’t as obsessed about fashion. I no longer found it rewarding to work nights and weekends. And I was finding it hard to take vacation time, even when I built a team to support me. Being burned out like 42% of business owners was no longer a badge of honor for me.
On a positive note, I learned I was more interested in helping women save money than helping them dress for special occasions. That led me to my current business, a financial education company that helps women plan for financial independence.
I’ve gained clarity on my personal and professional identity. It was time to prioritize the person I’ve become, rather than live the life of the founder from 2016 when I first started.
If you’re an entrepreneur who’s feeling more burned out than fired up about your business, it’s okay to consider how it served a reason or a season in your life. By calling it quits, you might make room for an even more fulfilling endeavor to begin.
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