Many of my readers are
owners of micro-enterprises and have requested that I provide related examples
from my professional engagements so that they can visualise them better. I will
try my best.
Entrepreneurship is a test
of patience, especially when you’re running a micro-business. Whether you’re
operating a small tailoring unit, a local food delivery service, a mobile
repair shop, or a two-person digital marketing agency, minor setbacks are part
of the daily grind. These could be a cancelled order, a missed payment, a
negative review, or even a small technical glitch. While none of these might
seem massive at first, the real challenge is how you react to them.
The first step is to recognise
that minor setbacks are a normal part of the process. If you’re running a
home-based bakery and a customer complains that the cake was too dry, it’s not
the end of the world. These things happen. What matters more is your ability to
absorb the feedback and move forward. Don’t overthink a single bad review or a
day without any new orders. Every business, big or small, faces ups and downs —
what keeps you afloat is consistency, not perfection.
When something goes
wrong, take a short pause. This doesn’t mean you stop everything. It simply
means you give yourself a few minutes or hours to think clearly before
reacting. For instance, if your supplier fails to deliver raw materials for
your handmade soaps on time, panicking won't help. However, pausing to look for
an alternative supplier or adjusting customer delivery timelines with clear
communication might improve trust. In micro-businesses where operations are
lean, every decision counts — rash moves only create more issues.
Breaking down the
problem helps. If a customer did not receive their order on time, ask yourself:
was it a delivery issue, a stock problem, or a miscommunication? Instead of
jumping to conclusions, get to the root of the matter. A home-based tiffin
service owner might realise that a delay was due to overbooking. The solution
could be as simple as limiting orders per day or developing a more effective
delivery plan. Most small business issues are fixable once you understand them
in parts.
Communication is key.
If your tailoring service messed up a blouse fitting, don’t hide. Call the
customer, explain the issue, and offer a correction or refund. People are
usually more forgiving than we assume, especially when you’re honest. In small
businesses, the personal touch is your biggest asset. Use it to your advantage.
A mistake owned up to is often more appreciated than an error covered up.
It also helps to
record your mistakes. Keep a simple note of what went wrong and how you fixed
it. This could include anything — forgetting to carry change for a cash
payment, printing a wrong logo on a client’s T-shirt, or missing an online
meeting. Over time, these entries form a kind of handbook that helps you
improve. Every mistake carries insight. Don’t let it go to waste.
Your well-being
matters too. In micro-businesses, the owner typically handles everything — from
marketing and service to finances and even delivery. So when a problem arises,
it hits you harder. Don’t burn yourself out over one mistake. Eat well, sleep
well, and take short breaks. A tired mind will only multiply problems. If
you’re a one-woman homemade pickle brand and your shipment leaks during
transit, you need energy to fix the issue, not guilt and exhaustion.
Don’t compare your
journey. A neighbouring small café may look busier on social media, but you
don’t know what goes on behind the scenes. Focus on what you can control.
Micro-businesses grow at their own pace. You’re building something real. That
takes time and persistence. One day with fewer orders doesn’t mean you’re
failing. It just means business is unpredictable — and that’s part of the deal.
Lastly, keep going. A
missed sale today can become a learning moment that improves your service
tomorrow. A mehendi artist who arrives late once can build a better booking
buffer for future clients. Improvement is slow, but it adds up over time.
Setbacks are not signs
to stop. They’re signals to change, learn, and adapt.
