Running a business is really hard

I kept mulling over what to write, wanting the first post of 2022 to be a meaningful post and came across one that was penned perfectly but has made a few personal changes relevant to me.
So here goes...
Running a business is really hard.
What they don’t tell you is that it can cause severe anxiety, and drains you mentally to the point of depression in even the most laid-back people.
People will talk about you, compare you to others, use you, they sometimes view you as a service, a business, and not a person anymore.
People will expect discounts on everything, and value you, and your hard work, less than a big chain store.
You have to worry about if you forget to email/message someone back, are they going to think it was on purpose? Did you disappoint them? Will they hold that against you? When, in reality, you just can’t get to everyone’s messages and emails.
( My personal opinion ) Let's not even get to social media and the undue stress it puts on an entrepreneur by way of wanting to be in keeping with the latest trends and designs. The thought process on the right content, growing your account, seeking the right vendors, right reel, right story, endless worries but everyone is doing such a good job on making it look easy when it isn't. Maybe it's time we say aloud that "It's not easy " and share our success and failures with all those who are just starting out.
Starting and running a successful business puts incredible strain on personal lives and relationships, many of which fail because there is just often no work/life balance. You need to be the director, the worker, the administrator, the marketing team, the accountant, the cleaner..... All whilst being a parent, a husband or a wife, family support, friend...
( My personal opinion) There’s a reason you don’t see many people succeed in small businesses after 5-10 years.
In my case ...2 decades and counting. It takes a toll. It’s freaking exhausting. This was especially the case this past two years with Covid. No one was prepared for Covid and the decision-making that one had to do because of it. And then to stick with those decisions was even more nerve-wracking.
(Personal opinion) Most times, it is a sheer passion for what you love, belief, optimism, and hard work that helps you to wake up each morning and keeps your business afloat.
This is a small reminder that we are just normal people with hectic lives. ( Personal opinion ) Be kind, be patient, be supportive, be ethical in your work, everyone is fighting a battle that we don't know anything about, unseen tears and sacrifices …..
Support one another and support each other's businesses.

Michelle's Background:
She started as a home baker way back in 1997 and realized baking was her true calling in 2005. Michelle forte is Whipped Cream and even though the cream has its pros and cons she loves working with cream and the challenges that come with it especially customization of cream cakes.
After building up her market entirely by word of mouth with my clients
She opened her shop " Michelle's Sweet Temptation Bakery" in June 2014.
Her parents sent her to boarding school (St.Mary's -Nainital) from class
II and She think nine years in boarding school taught her discipline,
independence, and responsibility. Being an energetic and creative child
(being the oldest does that), She always knew from early on that she would find a niche and carve out her path no matter what the circumstances.
Growing up in a remote part of India where unemployment is chronic
and opportunities scarce, She did not for a moment hesitate to make
something out for herself, from initially selling locally stitched clothes
and books to eventually baking. Baking has become a platform for her
to grow creatively, connect with people, and create so many beautiful
memories for customers, whether it’s creating something special for
an occasion or imparting whatever she has learned from hundreds of
students that she has taught so far.
Michelle said, "today we live in an age of information overload, which can be very confusing for those just starting. My baking skills have been self-
taught, and I have figured things out primarily by trial and error.
Everybody can be good at everything, and participating in workshops without any clear vision of what you want to do or how you plan to implement it in your work will not help. Most importantly there is no alternative to hard work; there are no shortcuts to success."
Her motto when it comes to work is
One lifetime -Do what you love and love what you do.
Her Professional Achievement so far:
michelle_sweet_temptation
1. Cream Cake Award Winner by Indian Cake Award (ICA) September-
2019, Mumbai.
2. Top 10 India by Cake Masters UK @ Cakeology September – 2019,
Mumbai
3. - Featured Cake Artist in India's only Cake Art Magazine Sugar.
- Featured in local magazine Horizon.
- Featured in Dailies (Newspaper).
- Featured Cake Artist in 1st edition of Manipuri Weddings Magazine
- Featured on American Cake Decorating (ACD) & Cake Masters (U.K)
4. - Invited as an expert on whipped cream for two Bakers’
Conference.
- BaCon (Bakers & Conference)-2016 Goa
- The Bakers Collective (TBC)- 2017 Bangalore
- The Bakers Collective (TBC)- 2018 Jaipur
- The Bakers Collective (TBC)- 2019 Pune
5. - Cake Artist with the maximum number of record entries in prestigious
albums in Home Bakers & Guild Indias largest bakers guild
- One hundred and twenty entries to the Hall of Fame (500 +likes ).
- Thirty entries to League of Legends (1500+likes).
- Entry to the Abode of Titans (3000+likes).
6. Cakes are regularly featured on the CakesDecor (World's largest cake
decorating forum). Multiple entries
- On the HomePage
- Daily To 3
- Wedding cake Collection
7. Conducted 8 professional workshops on sharp edges spanning six
cities for 365 students.
8. Conducted the First International Workshop in Dubai in February
2019.
9. Honoured with the title of Pride of Tropolite and made Brand
Ambassador for Tropolite Cream by Davars Company in February
2019.
10. Selected as Brand Champion for Magic Colors, and Internationally
known cake Decorating Company based in Israel, and Brand
Ambassador for Omkraft and Ultimakes.
11. Distinguished Alumni Award April -2018
12. Fulfilled a lifelong dream of constructing an Atelier (Boutique
bakery unit) spanning 3500 Sq ft feet which are projected to employ up
to 50 people.
13. Recipient on Women’s International Day North East Women
Entrepreneur Award in Gauhati - 2019 and Woman of Substance