Starting a small business is no joke. You’ve poured your energy into getting everything set up—building a website, marketing yourself, maybe even working on projects to showcase your skills. But then the reality hits: no clients. The phone isn’t ringing, your inbox is empty, and suddenly, the doubts start creeping in. It feels like you're stuck, spinning your wheels without any real progress.
If you’re in this place right now, I get it. I’ve been there. And guess what? Almost every entrepreneur you look up to has been there, too. It’s normal to feel discouraged when you’re starting out, but this is the time to dig deep and keep pushing.
Here’s how to stay motivated, even when it feels like you're going nowhere fast:
Focus on Progress, Not Perfection
When you’re just starting out, it’s easy to get caught up in wanting everything to be perfect. You might think your website needs one more tweak, your services aren’t polished enough, or your social media needs to be flawless. The truth? Perfection doesn’t matter right now—progress does.
Instead of obsessing over every detail, ask yourself, “What small step can I take today to move my business forward?” Maybe it’s sending that one email, posting on social media, or reaching out to someone in your network. Every little step counts, even if it doesn’t feel like it at the time.
When I started, I wasted hours tweaking tiny things that no one even noticed. Once I shifted to focusing on progress—no matter how small—that’s when momentum started building.
Break the Silence: Reach Out
Waiting for clients to magically show up isn’t a strategy. Trust me, I’ve tried that. One of the most effective things you can do is put yourself out there, even if it feels uncomfortable. Send cold emails, connect on LinkedIn, join Facebook groups, or offer your services to people you know.
If you don't ask you won't recieve
Yes, it can feel awkward to put yourself out there, but no one will know what you have to offer if you don’t start telling people. And don’t forget—follow-up is key. Sometimes potential clients just need a nudge. That’s not being pushy; it’s being persistent.
I remember the first time I sent out cold emails. It felt like throwing a message in a bottle into the ocean. But slowly, responses started trickling in. It wasn’t overnight success, but it was a start. And you need that start.
Celebrate the Small Wins
When you’re building something from scratch, the wins might seem few and far between. That’s why you need to celebrate the little victories along the way. Did you get a positive reply from someone you reached out to? Did someone share your post? Did you finally finish that website? These things matter.
Celebrate those milestones, no matter how small they seem. They’re evidence that you’re moving forward, even when it feels like you’re standing still. And trust me, those little wins add up to big ones over time.
Keep Learning and Adapting
When you feel stuck, that’s often a sign it’s time to learn something new or try a different approach. Don’t be afraid to adapt. Maybe you’re not getting clients because your messaging isn’t clear, or your target audience isn’t the right fit. Experiment. Adjust. Keep learning.
The early days of my business were full of trial and error. I kept trying new strategies, refining my approach, and learning as much as I could. The moment you stop learning is the moment your business stops growing.
Remember Your ‘Why’
When things get tough—and they will—you need to remember why you started this journey in the first place. Was it for more freedom? To have a flexible schedule? To do work that feels meaningful? Go back to that original reason and hold onto it.
Building a business takes time, and if your motivation is purely about getting clients and making money right now, it’s easy to burn out. But if your “why” is about creating a life you love and building something that matters to you, that’s where the real fuel comes from.
For me, the freedom to work from home, take vacations, and be fully present with my family was a big driver. Whenever I felt stuck, I reminded myself that I was building the future I wanted, even if it wasn’t happening as fast as I hoped.
Talk About It—You’re Not Alone
This one’s important: don’t go through this alone. Talk to someone about what you’re going through—another business owner, a mentor, or even a supportive friend. Sometimes just saying out loud, “Hey, this is really hard,” can make a world of difference.
Starting a business can feel isolating, especially when it seems like everyone else is succeeding. But here’s the truth: they’ve all had their struggles, too. You’re not alone in this, and there’s power in connecting with others who understand the journey.
You Can Do this
It’s easy to get discouraged when you feel like you’re not making progress. But here’s the thing: as long as you’re showing up every day and taking action—no matter how small—you’re moving forward. Keep pushing, keep adapting, and keep your eye on the long game.
Success doesn’t happen overnight, but it does happen over time. One day, you’ll look back and realize that all those small steps led you to exactly where you wanted to be.
So, take a deep breath and keep going—you’re closer than you think.
