Zane Benefits is committed to helping small business owners all over the U.S. by finding new ways to help you run your companies more smoothly.
Because we know how important shared knowledge and advice amongst small business owners is, we’ve decided to go out into the community to bring you real stories from local business owners. In this small business owner interview, I talk to Caleb Smith, a Zane Benefits employee and small business owner, to share his challenges, joys, and advice with owning a small business.
Editors note: Zane Benefits is now PeopleKeep.
Caleb, a Utah native and entrepreneur started his first business, Shield Window Cleaning LLC, in 2011. Shield’s purpose was to provide fast, friendly residential window cleaning services.
Caleb explains that the reason he started his own business was because he wanted to be in control of his own dreams. He “didn’t want to build someone else's dream.” Instead, he wanted to forge his own.
Empowered Fitness was Caleb’s second small business he started in 2013 and still owns today. Caleb started Empowered Fitness because he has a “passion for overall wellness and changing others’ lives inside and out.”
When I asked what Caleb thought was the most rewarding aspect of owning a small business, he replied “I love to build teams. I really enjoy bringing on a new employee as part of my company and helping them turn into a rock star employee.”
Caleb also added, “Once you have a grasp on how to run your own company, there’s a lot of satisfaction [to owning your own business].”
There’s no getting around it, owning a small business is challenging. Caleb and I also talked about what he felt were the biggest difficulties he has faced over the last few years.
Caleb articulated, “Even though there are many rewards, owning your own company can be stressful. It can feel like you’re a one man show” And though Caleb feels he’s a committed small business owner, he remarked that “[the stress of] knowing you’re providing for yourself, your family, and your employees can be a big challenge. You have to stay positive and work hard.”
One of the ways Caleb gets through his stressful times is by helping his employees succeed. Rather than focusing on himself, he feels that focusing on his employees’ success will in turn help him be successful as well.
Another challenge, according to Caleb, was figuring out how to balance work and personal life. “It’s really difficult to constantly focus on your company and then try not to bring it home.” However, Caleb says the best way he avoided this is to give 100 percent to whatever he is doing at the time.
“When you’re home, give your family, your life outside of work 100 percent. When you’re at work, give yourself and your employees 100 percent.”
Caleb and I talked about advice for our readers who either own a small business, or are hoping to start one.
Caleb said “You have to be passionate about your business. If you’re in it for the money, you’re in the wrong place.” He also said that “Limiting what you do is important. Only focus on what will build your business and let the other stuff go.”
Another tip from Caleb was, “If you’re starting a new business, be sure to find investors and build your business slowly. There’s nothing wrong with doing things slowly. It’s better than starting things too quickly and doing them incorrectly.”
Lastly, Caleb smiled while saying, “Of course, because I own a fitness training company, I have to throw in to be healthy. It’s an important part of being a successful small business owner.”
Find a way to separate work and personal life
Be passionate about your small business
When stressed, focus on your employees to help them be successful