Good morning, everyone. I’m so delighted to do this week’s Outside idea. My name is Eric, and I make apps. I own an app development company called Overpass Apps.
If there’s one thing everyone can agree on… It’s been a tough year and a half. It’s been tough personally and professionally for some of us.
It’s so easy to want to get back to the good old days when everything was easy. But it wasn’t always easy.
I started my company back in 2004. It stayed small for a decade with just me. Then it grew a bit with an offshore team, then a few employees here, it shrunk down to just me and my offshore guys again. Up, then down, then up again, then down. Get me in the wrong state of mind, and you may even occasionally hear me grumble a complaint. But if I wanted easy, I would have found myself a job.
Running a company involves a lot of stress, learning, and loneliness. There have been months when I felt I was in total control and everything was going perfectly, and when I felt things slipping.
Back in the old days, I just had to deal with this myself. Most people didn’t understand the difficulties. And you still need to demonstrate confidence in the face of doubt to everyone you care about—whether in front of your family, your team, or your clients.
So… the support network really helps. I’m so glad I met Pete and Outside ideas and have met so many of you.
I enjoy meeting other business owners—not just so they can potentially be clients but also so they can be people I know who also ‘get it’. I need more believers in my life.
I have nothing but respect for business owners willing to be vulnerable. I love those who can talk about when they were not in control and see the pride they have for when they are.
If running a business were easy, everyone would do it. It looks so easy from the outside. However, we all have our problems and stresses. They can be missed deadlines, difficult contractors, grumpy clients, or, oh… I don’t know, a global pandemic.
It was a tough year, but they’ve all been tough in one way or another. I admire those who stick with it.
Thank you all for not giving up.
