Why do owners feel alone when they work with people everyday?

Running a small business can be incredibly rewarding, and it can also be incredibly isolating. My last business started with five employees and grew to thirty-five. I was with people all day, yet sometimes I felt so alone. There was no-one who could really understand the challenges I faced everyday. I was the entrepreneur, the guy who everyone relied on to make the hardest decisions and solve the insoluble problems. I involved my team in brainstorming sessions and problem solving, yet some of the core existential problems were mine alone, and so I often felt isolated.

Unlike larger companies with multiple departments and a layer of management, small business owners oversee all critical decisions. They handle everything from accounting to marketing, customer service to product development. It's a lot to manage on their own, and it can be challenging to find someone to discuss business matters with. Small business owners feel like they don't have anyone who truly understands the unique challenges and pressures they face.

In many industries it is difficult to find mentors to turn to for advice or guidance. And many mentors or advisors do not have the communication skills needed to provide the effective and efficient support needed by an overworked business owner. With ineffective support the owner still feels like they are on their own.

Another factor in the owners' loneliness is that the responsibility of owning a small business can be overwhelming, and often the overwhelm can be inescapable. Even when not at work, the owner feels they have to be thinking about their business, what needs to be done, and what challenges they'll face tomorrow. This can make it hard to relax and enjoy personal time with friends and family. Creating another level of isolation from their family and friends.