The 2020 Lesson that Changed Me Forever as a Business Owner
Marcus Sheridan
One of the most engaging keynote speakers on the planet—I create experiences that change how businesses sell, connect, and win | Bestselling Author of They Ask, You Answer | Serial Entrepreneur | Master Storyteller
If you know me, you know I’m an optimist.
Half-full is my thing, and I prefer to focus on the positives always, which is also why I’ve struggled at times this year to produce content as I did in the past.
Simply put, I’ve never sighed as much in my life as I did observing everything that was 2020 as it passed us by.
My sense is you can relate.
I mention this because I experienced a stunning “takeaway” this year that I really haven’t discussed with my peers, yet it nags me more and more as I look at what’s happening around the US right now.
You see, having owned multiple businesses over the last 20 years has been an unbelievable journey, full of highs and lows.
Yet for me, the one thing that I’ve always reminded myself was, even in the darkest of hours (like being days from bankruptcy in 2008), was this:
“I control my future.”
That’s right, I’ve always felt I was, at least for the most part, in control of the destiny of my business. Such is the thrill of entrepreneurship.
If the economy crashed, I could make changes.
If the economy soared, I would make the adjustments.
It was rather cut and dry…until March of 2020.
Once COVID exploded in the US that month, suddenly businesses everywhere were being shut-down, whether they wanted to or not.
At my swimming pool company, we lived in a constant state of limbo, wondering if the government would shut us down or if we’d somehow be one of the lucky ones to be allowed to continue working.
We ended up being one of the lucky ones.
But this doesn’t change the carnage I’ve witnessed for business owners and entrepreneurs all over the US.
Despite most doing everything they could under the circumstances, hundreds of thousands (especially those in the food/beverage industry) have watched their life’s work quickly turn to ruins.
And the catch?
They couldn’t do anything about it.
It was out of their control.
Maybe I’m naïve, but I never dreamed of a situation where the government, like a Thanos snap, could simply shut a business down, due to no fault of their own.
As you read this, please don’t interpret this as a slight on the government. This is NOT a political post.
If you know me or follow me at all, you also know I have no interest in getting sucked in to the negative world of politics, so please, let’s not go there.
Rather, my point is that of a simple realization as a business owner, one brought to me by the most forgettable, and unforgettable, year in recent memory:
“I can do all I can do as a business owner—but no, I’m not always in control.”
How will this realization affect me and millions of my peers going forward?
Frankly, I have no idea.
Like you, I’m still taking it all in.
But this much is certain—my perspective has evolved, and it’s a bitter pill to swallow.
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Thoughts? Please feel free to share below...
WSJ Best Selling author & founder of QCard, a SaaS platform designed to empower professionals to showcase their expertise, grow their reach, and lead their markets.
4yWork harder! A lot has changed in the industry since the start of the pandemic - use it to your advantage. Start little, maybe invest in employee engagement to boost your team members’ morale - this can increase productivity and efficiency. Digital transformation is a must, so maybe invest in these innovations to keep up with the trends. Focus on what’s ahead right now, not what’s already passed.
Strategic Partnership & Venture Support Lead ★ Exit/Succession Planning Advisor ★ I Help Business Owners Build and Preserve Transferable Business Value
4y"Uncertainty" is inherent part of entrepreneurship. But, Marcus, with all of my respect to you, I'd add this: Even though an entrepreneur doesn't control EVERYTHING, it is still much more than a counterpart employee does. At least we've used to be "in the maze after our cheese". And maybe not ALL under our control, our reaction is 100% in. So you still control your future to the possible degree of this control.
Siemens SaaS Expansion l Federal Contracts l CAE Pre & Post Processing l Aerospace & Defense, Automotive, Marine, & Medical l ROI Roadmaps Execution
4yControl what you can control. I've learned this year as an entrepreneur to take care of your mental health more so than in years past. And don't forget about your physical health - exercise, sports, dieting, walking, hiking, etc. Also, maintain a healthy dose of conversations with the right people in your life (personal & professional).
Building Breakthrough B2B Brands in the AI Era | Founder @ Brand Theory
4yEven when we're hanging on by a thread, it's all about perspective. My heart goes out to those coping with personal loss first and foremost. One thing that IS under our control ... to heed the warnings, to follow protocols, to keep each other safe. As it just so happens, it's the quickest path to financial recovery as well.
CEO at E & R Sales, Inc
4yAlthough COVID has certainly made doing business more complicated, my A-ha moment came in 2012 when there was a national helium shortage and I'm a balloon distributor. Didn't matter how awesome our company was or how good looking I am (kidding)---I could not get helium out of the ground. It's humbling when you realize not every success is about preparation. Some of our success is luck. The helium shortage in 2012 prepared me for how I would react to the pandemic of 2020. My job here is to keep solving one problem at a time. And, leave the rest to the universe. Thanks for the chance to reflect, Marcus.