Anyone who has experienced running a business knows it comes with its fair share of challenges. No two days are the same, and sometimes it feels like everything flows smoothly, and then there are days when you wonder, “What am I doing?!!” I recently shared my thoughts on a podcast about the realities of business ownership. From building a supportive team to celebrating achievements, I wanted to share some of my experiences of starting and running a business.

Motivation for the hard times

When I started my business, I dreamed of building something flexible and adaptable to my and my family’s needs. While many experts advocate finding a niche, I didn’t want to start with only a narrow offering, so from the start, The Administration Agency has thrived by offering a wide range of services. This flexibility has allowed the business to expand its impact and better serve a diverse client base. 

Reminding myself of this “why” helps keep me motivated, and I think it’s important to keep your “why” front and centre. The reality is that running a business day to day can be difficult. It can feel overwhelming and sometimes feel like you’re going nowhere fast! So, having some “tools in the toolkit” for those days helps keep the motivation going, and remembering my why is one of my favourites.  

Another tool in the motivational toolkit is entering industry awards. Industry awards can be controversial. Some will argue they have no place and are an expensive waste of time, but I disagree! Awards are like signposts along the journey that allow us to pause and reflect on how our business is going. Each time we’ve entered an award, even when we haven’t been successful, it’s been an opportunity to think about what we’ve achieved over the previous 12 months and also consider what we WANT to accomplish in the next year. Struggling to “sell” your business in an award entry could mean it’s time to make some changes in what you’re doing! My other reason for entering awards is that they’re often fantastic networking opportunities. I’ve had the chance to meet with some incredible business owners by attending awards, and it’s a great way to combat the isolation you can sometimes feel while in business. 

Building a Strong Team and Vision

A strong team is essential for long-term success. I’ve enjoyed creating a team that I’m very proud of! We all work hard and deliver enormous value to our clients, and I’m genuinely grateful for how well we collaborate and work together. However, building a team culture takes time, and I believe it’s unfortunately often left to chance. As a leader, I place a great deal of importance on open communication, trust, and building a work environment that supports individual strengths. But living that out doesn’t occur by accident. It takes time,  patience and commitment. 

The Administration Agency’s mission is clear: to help businesses streamline their operations while making a meaningful impact on their communities. Ensuring every team member understands and aligns with this vision is key to delivering quality service and maintaining a positive workplace culture.

My Journey into Business Ownership

Interestingly, I never set out to become a business owner. But despite my unplanned journey into entrepreneurship, it has turned into something incredibly fulfilling. By prioritising flexibility and continuously evolving the business model, I’ve built a business that provides exceptional support to clients and creates opportunities for my team. 

It’s sometimes worth remembering that the best business journeys aren’t always meticulously planned. Sometimes, you have to take a deep breath and start, then figure it out as it continues to evolve organically in response to challenges and opportunities as they arise. 

The Administration Agency – Admin help for regional areas

The Administration Agency offers tailored business administration services designed to help business owners reclaim their time and focus on what truly matters. Our team is spread across Australia and are experts in marketing, administration, project management, and more. I love knowing the team I’ve built isn’t bound by geography but rather by their skills and abilities. My vision is for The Administration Agency to be a “one-stop shop” for businesses of all sizes, especially those operating in regional and rural areas who might not have had access to this level of support before. All businesses deserve access to quality administrative support to help them grow and scale. 

Final Thoughts and Advice

My advice to business owners is simple: remember the big picture. Reflecting on why you started and recognising how far you’ve come can be incredibly motivating during tough times. Reviewing achievements, celebrating small wins, or ensuring you have a solid support network are strategies that will help keep you moving forward.