Sometimes, we are confronted by situations or face decisions that appear to have no positive outcomes. It feels as if we’re at the edge of a cliff or precipice and there’s no turning back. I came across this [zen saying] that captures the course of action that we all need to take … we just need to take the leap, whatever the perceived outcome. And surprisingly, a Net will appear and everything turns out fine in the end. It may not be what we anticipated … whether negative or positive … sometimes, it is just “different” and many times, the outcome is better than what we thought. So, the next time, when faced with the unknown or uncertain, “Leap, and the Net Will Appear.” [zen saying]
Read MoreLeading a Small Team? Some of Our Most Challenging Staff Stories.
Running a small business is deeply personal. It’s born from passion, fueled by purpose, and guided by the hope of building something meaningful — not just for ourselves, but for others. Along the way, we’ve tried to lead with empathy, offer opportunities, and create a supportive environment for growth.
But through a series of difficult experiences, we’ve come to a simple yet powerful realization: it’s perfectly okay not to have staff at all. Sometimes the best path for an entrepreneur is to step back from managing a team and return to running their business solo — as a solopreneur. Or in our case, a duopreneur!
By focusing on what we love most — teaching, connecting, and inspiring others — and using technology to streamline operations, we can build a business that feels true and manageable.
This isn’t about giving up; it’s about clarity and freedom to define success on your own terms. If you’re feeling the pressure to grow bigger when your heart says otherwise, know that you’re not alone. And that’s okay. 💛
If you’re a fellow entrepreneur or solopreneur, you might recognize the challenges and lessons behind these real-life staff stories from our own journey. 😅
🚩 1. Surprise Real Estate Transaction… at the Office?!
One staff member casually brought a real estate agent into our office — not for us, but for their own personal property deal. No heads-up. No permission. Just turned our workspace into a private deal room.
📧 2. Side Hustle in Our Space
Another staffer decided to create an email account for their other part-time job and started sending mass communications — during our office hours, from our office space. Dual employment is fine, but boundaries, anyone?
🕒 3. The Vanishing Act
Imagine someone clocking in, working for 15 minutes, and then… disappearing. For hours. No explanation, no message. Just gone. Houdini, is that you?
📱 4. Teaching… From a Chair (and a Phone)
While co-teaching a class, a junior instructor literally sat down mid-lesson and started texting. In full view of students. We thought we were running a school, not a lounge.
🔑 5. Key-Keeping Chaos
One instructor went out of town for the weekend — and took our office’s front door key with them. When asked to return it before the Monday morning open, they responded, “I’ll bring it next week.” We had to go to them to retrieve it, just to open our own business on time.
⚠️ 6. A Case of Commitment Gone Quiet
In two separate cases, staff members had asked for the opportunity to teach at our studio. We believed in giving people a chance. But after being scheduled, both began missing assigned lessons — repeatedly and without notice.
Later, we learned that one was struggling with mental health challenges, and the other with issues related to alcoholism. While their behavior caused disruption and confusion for students and staff, these situations also reminded us how important it is to approach people with both accountability and compassion when personal struggles are involved.
❤️ A Note on Mental Health
As stressful as it was in the moment, we also recognize the importance of compassion and support during difficult times. Mental health matters.
💸 7. Compassion vs. Accountability
An instructor asked for a month’s pay advance to cover unexpected bills. Wanting to help, we agreed.
But shortly after, they missed a scheduled lesson — no notice, no explanation. Students were left waiting.
As hard as it was, we had to let them go. Compassion matters, but so does showing up.
Why Share This?
Because if you’ve ever felt like you’re the only one facing the unexpected, unexplainable, and sometimes unbelievable moments of managing a team — you’re not alone. 🙃
Got a wild (or wise) story of your own? We’d love to hear it. Share it in the comments or tag us in your own #BusinessHorrorStories.
You survived Monday. You’ve got this. 💪
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dS+: “It is never a sign of weakness to ask for help. We all need help from time to time to transform & emerge stronger than ever before.”
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SLOW DANCE
Have you ever watched kids
On a merry-go-round
Or listened to the rain
Slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly’s
Erratic fly
Or gazed at the sun into
The fading night?
You better slow down
Don’t dance so fast
Time is short
The music won’t last
Do you run through each day
On the fly
When you ask “How are you?”
Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done
Do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores
Running through your head?
You better slow down
Don’t dance so fast
Time is short
The music won’t last
Ever told your child
We’ll do it tomorrow
And in your haste
Not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch
Let a good friendship die
‘Cause you never had time
To call and say “Hi”?
You better slow down
Don’t dance so fast
Time is short
The music won’t last
When you run so fast
To get somewhere
You miss half the fun
Of getting there
When you worry and hurry
Through your day
It is like an unopened gift
Thrown away…
Life is not a race
Do take it slower
Hear the music
Before the song is over.
NOTE:
The words in this poem are poignant and timeless, which is why it has been added to this blog. However, it is also being circulated as a “Chain Letter”, so if you receive any message about sending money, please do your due diligence to check out sources! Do a search on Jessica Mydek and you’ll see feedback about the chain letters.
People come into your life
for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you figure out which one it is,
you will know what to do for each person.
When someone is in your life for a REASON. . .
It is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty,
to provide you with guidance and support,
to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually.
They may seem like a godsend, and they are!
They are there for the reason you need them to be.
Then, without any wrongdoing on your part,
or at an inconvenient time, this person will say
or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die.
Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met,
our desire fulfilled, their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered.
And now it is time to move on.
Then people come into your life for a SEASON….
Because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.
LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons:
things you must build upon in order to have
a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person,
and put what you have learned to use in all
other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.
Unknown Author
Take the time to reflect and thank those people for being a part of your life — whether they were a Reason, a Season or a Lifetime.
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