Why Most Small Business Owners Quit in Year 1 (And How to Be the Exception)
1. Unrealistic Expectations
We’ve all been there. You see someone post a “10k month” screenshot, and now you expect the same in 30 days.
But behind that post is:
2 years of testing
1 failed store
$500 lost to bad ads
A TON of patience
Success is rarely quick. But it’s almost always possible.
2. Burnout from Doing Everything Alone
You’re sourcing products, posting on IG, handling orders, answering DMs, trying to do email marketing, AND building your website.
Whew. That’s a lot.
Fix it:
Automate what you can
Batch content
Outsource small tasks (Canva graphics, email setup, etc.)
Join communities where people “get it” (you don’t have to do this alone)
3. Slow or No Sales = “I’m Not Good at This” Spiral
One bad week doesn’t mean you’re not built for this.
It just means… you need to change your approach.
Instead of giving up:
Audit your product photos
Add urgency (limited stock, time-based discounts)
Launch ONE product and market the hell out of it
4. Comparison Kills Confidence
Scrolling through other small biz pages and wondering why they “have it together”?
They don’t. You’re just seeing the curated version.
Focus on YOUR lane.
Even if you sell the same products, your brand voice, audience, and journey are different. That’s your edge.
So… What’s the ONE Thing That Keeps People Going?
It’s not money.
It’s not followers.
It’s not even sales.
It’s this:
Consistency with feedback.
Anyone can show up for 2 weeks.
But the ones who win? They keep showing up, even when no one’s clapping.
And every time they post, launch, adjust, test, tweak—they collect data.
They stop guessing and start learning.
That’s the shift.
How to Be the Exception: My 5-Point Year-One Survival Plan
✅ 1. Stick with one product category for at least 90 days
Don’t jump from lashes to leggings to candles. Build one thing first.
✅ 2. Show up consistently (even when it feels like no one’s watching)
Visibility always wins in the long game.
✅ 3. Learn from each launch, not just the results
Ask: What worked? What flopped? What do I try next?
✅ 4. Connect with your customers—don’t just sell to them
Talk like a person. Share behind-the-scenes. Build trust.
✅ 5. Don’t be afraid to start over smarter
You didn’t fail. You gathered insight. You get to relaunch with an advantage most people don’t have: experience.
Final Words (From Someone Who’s Been There)
Your first year won’t be perfect.
But if you push through the messy middle—where doubt creeps in, sales dip, and no one’s cheering—you’ll get to the other side.
And on that side?
Steady orders.
Repeat customers.
A business that pays you back.
You just have to keep going.
And I’ll be here, cheering for you the whole way.
Need help staying consistent?
Grab one of my beginner-friendly digital tools (vendor lists, launch checklists, supplier guides) here:
👉 https://issymiano.com/shop
