The Grit Behind the Glamour: What They Don’t See About Small Business Success
From the outside looking in, running a small business can appear glamorous. A bustling booth at a craft fair, perfectly staged photos on Instagram, and posts celebrating sold-out collections paint a picture of success that’s inspiring to many.
But behind the scenes, there’s a reality few people see: the grit. The late nights, the early mornings, the trial and error, and the unshakable determination that drive every step forward.
As the owner of October Rust Designs, I’ve experienced both the shining moments and the ones that never make it to social media. Let me take you behind the curtain.
The Highlights Everyone Sees
It’s easy to look at a thriving small business and see only the wins:
A beautifully curated booth at a busy market.
Happy customers sharing photos of their purchases.
Posts about reaching revenue goals or expanding product lines.
These moments are real, and they deserve to be celebrated. They’re the rewards of hard work and dedication. But they’re just one part of the story.
The Grit No One Talks About
Here’s what often gets overlooked:
The Late Nights: For every beautifully finished piece, there’s a night spent in the workshop sanding, staining, and sealing long after everyone else has gone to bed.
The Early Mornings: Getting to events or markets often means waking up at dawn to load the car, set up the booth, and make everything look inviting before customers arrive.
The Sacrifices: Time with family, weekends, and even sleep often take a backseat during busy seasons.
The Self-Doubt: Every entrepreneur faces moments of questioning – “Will this sell? Is this idea good enough?” – but we push through.
The Hustle: Running a business isn’t just about creating. It’s bookkeeping, marketing, customer service, and planning – often all at once.
The True Meaning of Success
To outsiders, success might look like a growing bank account or a social media following. But for small business owners, it’s often measured in quieter ways:
A repeat customer who says, “I love your work.”
Finally perfecting a new design after weeks of effort.
Balancing the books and realizing you’ve grown compared to last year.
Building a brand that reflects your passion and purpose.
Why the Grit Is Worth It
Despite the challenges, there’s nothing quite like building something of your own. Knowing that every late night and early morning is an investment in your dream makes the grit worthwhile.
At October Rust Designs, I take pride in every piece I create, not just because of how it looks on a shelf but because of the journey it took to get there.
To Fellow Small Business Owners
If you’re in the thick of it – balancing the highs and lows of entrepreneurship – know that you’re not alone. The grit you’re putting in now is laying the foundation for your success.
To everyone else: when you see a small business thriving, remember there’s a story behind it. It’s not just about talent or luck; it’s about relentless hard work and unshakable perseverance.
So the next time you shop small, know you’re supporting not just a product but a dream – built with heart, grit, and determination.
