I think he thought I earned a mint...
I've been in business for five years, and on Saturday I start paying myself. This really surprised my ex- and I don't think he's the only one.
Quiet the Hive has been running for five years. I first registered the company name in January 2019, while I worked full time in the NHS and built Quiet the Hive on the side. In September 2022 I took a twelve month sabbatical to see if I really could make it work. In June 2023, I left the NHS for good.
When I speak to people about Quiet the Hive, they say it looks like it’s flying and really enjoying it. People have told me how much better I look for stepping away from my employed role. I am enjoying it. I do feel better. And yes, I am super proud of what I’ve achieved through Quiet the Hive. The truth is though that other than two small dividends, I’ve not taken any money out of the business.
I am beginning to loathe the talk on instagram aimed at small businesses telling them that they could make regular five figure months, or seven figure years if they just ‘follow my formula’. It feels increasingly disingenuous. Running a small business is hard enough without feeling like everyone else is bringing in thousands each week, and passive income ‘effortlessly’ on a daily basis. Don’t hate me, but I’m beginning to see more of these sort of talk here on substack too about the number of paid subscribers people have, or how quickly this is becoming a viable income stream for them. The thing is that these things are possible, but they don’t come overnight, and I don’t believe there is a one size fits all pathway for it.
Here’s the thing. It’s not that easy. If it was, we’d all be doing it, and the people who are selling their proven formulas are massively undercharging if we could be turning over the months they talk about.
This morning, I had a chat with my lovely ex-husband about the fact that I was able to pay myself for the first time this month. I think he was quite shocked that (a) I’d not done it before and (b) the small amount I was going to be paying myself. I don’t think he’s alone.
I get the sense that people see consistency or frequency on instagram, or substack or tiktok (or your chosen platform) and think that that equates to financial success and ease. Sadly, not the case!
If you have a friend with a small business, please don’t underestimate how much a share, like or comment means to them. They are not effortlessly raking it in, and a simple act like recommending them to a friend, or talking about their business on your platforms can literally bring on a happy dance!
So, why I am telling you this?
1)Partly because I always said The Buzz would share more personal reflections, including failures, mistakes and challenges. This is definitely one (a challenge rather than a mistake or failure). I am the only adult in my house, responsible for two wonderful (very funny) t(w)eens and all the bills. This month I have over-spent on my budget, and I’m already worried about three car journeys next month that will put me over my petrol budget. It terrifies me EVERY SINGLE MONTH. And yet, and yet…
Working in my last role put my mental and physical health in jeopardy. I spent next to no time with my children. I felt creatively suppressed and my values were confronted on an almost daily basis. I was paid an incredibly healthy salary, but it was virtually no compensation for what I lost.
If I was on the Elizabeth Day podcast How to Fail (if you’ve not heard it before, listen, it’s glorious) my failure would be failure to bring in an income to match what it looks like I’m doing. But the bigger one would be failure not to trust myself when my hut (heart & gut) was SCREAMING for me to get out of that job sooner.
2)And partly because of the honey…
THE HONEY
The honey this time consists of two questions that on first glance may feel easy to answer, but I think you’ll find yourself mulling them over. If there is something your hut is telling you, the initial answer may come quickly, but then you may find your mind wandering back to them like a tongue to a wobbly tooth…
What are you not trusting yourself with?
What REALLY matters to you?
I realise that I am in an exceptionally privileged position to have a chunk of money that allowed me to fund a sabbatical, but it would have been easier to ‘save it for a rainy day’. It was only when I thought about these questions that I realised this was exactly the rainy day it was meant for. This was the best use of the F*** Off Fund that we are all told to save up for.
If these questions have got you thinking about the answers in a career context, I’m running a free workshop on the 9th May at 10am exploring the big question of ‘should I stay or should I go?’. It’s inspired by the fact that so many of us spend too long procrastinating about whether we’re in the right role. We can explore together whether it’s time for you to fall back in love with your current role, or to move on to the next best thing for you.
I love this article! It arrived at just the right time, only months into my solopreneur adventure, and it provides the reassurance I need to keep going. Thank you, Jane, for sharing such an honest portrait of the realities of starting a small business. ❤️
Fantastic article Jane. Huge congratulations on paying yourself!
Loved the wobbly tooth line. And your honesty. I am absolutely with you on the 7-figure stuff on socials at the moment (and in my inbox!). It's made to look so easy and quick. It's demoralising for small business owners and is adding another layer of pressure and expectations.