Small Businesses

Behind the Scenes of Running a Business in NZ

Running a small business sounds dreamy from the outside; flexible hours, being your own boss, doing what you love. But if you’re actually in it, you know there’s a lot more to it than cute packaging and curated flatlays.

Here’s a little reality check (the good kind) for anyone deep in the small business life or thinking about joining the club.

1. There’s no such thing as balance, just priorities

Some weeks you’ll be on fire. Other weeks you’ll be Googling “how to write a refund policy” while making dinner and ignoring a pile of unshipped orders. That’s normal. It’s not about doing everything perfectly; it’s about doing the right things for right now.

2. You don’t need to be on every platform

Choose one or two that actually work for your audience (and your brain). Showing up consistently on Instagram and in your inbox is more valuable than having five ghost-town accounts.

3. Imposter syndrome is part of the package

Feeling like you’re not doing enough? Like you’re making it all up? Like your stuff isn’t “real” enough? Yep. Welcome to the club. It happens to every business owner (even the ones you look up to).

4. Most people have no idea how hard you work

They see the post, the product, the launch but not the 12 hours of behind-the-scenes chaos that got it there. That’s okay. You’re allowed to be proud of yourself, even when no one’s clapping yet.

5. You will make mistakes

The wrong courier. A product fault. A DM you forgot to reply to for four days. It’s going to happen. Apologise if you need to. Learn from it. Move on. You’re human (and your customers are too).

6. You’re doing better than you think

If you’ve launched something, sold something, or even just started, you’re ahead of a lot of people who are still sitting on their ideas. Progress doesn’t always feel fast, but it still counts.