Winging it and Winning

Let’s be honest. Most small business owners didn’t wake up one morning with an MBA in one hand, a 5-year plan in the other, and a perfectly crafted Instagram grid ready to go. Nope. Many of us started with an idea, a bit of passion, a healthy dose of “what if?”, and, frankly, a lot of winging it.

And that’s absolutely fine.

Because if there’s one truth about small biz life, it’s this: behind every polished website and shiny shop window is someone frantically Googling ‘how to write a press release’ or ‘how to do VAT returns without crying’.

You’re not alone.

Figuring it out as you go

One of the biggest myths of running a business is that you need to have everything perfectly planned before you start. In reality? You’ll be learning on the job most days. You’ll pick up skills you didn’t know you needed (Excel wizardry, negotiation tactics, impromptu photography). You’ll discover that ‘SEO’ isn’t just a collection of random letters, and that social media isn’t just posting the odd nice picture of what you do.

It can feel overwhelming. But that’s part of the ride. And oddly, those scrappy, experimental moments often lead to your best ideas.

You’ll wear all the hats

Marketing manager one minute. Cleaner the next. IT support in the morning. Accounts department by the afternoon. Small business life means you’ll become an accidental expert in a bit of everything. The to-do list never really shrinks, but the good news is - you do get better at juggling.

And when you do eventually outsource something (hello, accountant), you’ll appreciate the help all the more.

Perfection is overrated

Yes, of course you want your business to look and feel professional. But trying to be perfect from day one can slow you down. Progress beats perfection, every time. That first wobbly Instagram video? Post it. The website that still needs a few tweaks? Launch it anyway. The thing is, people love to support real humans behind businesses. They’re not expecting corporate polish - they’re looking for authenticity.

Community is key

One of the best ways to survive (and thrive) when you’re winging it is by connecting with others who are doing the same. Other small business owners will become your sounding board, your cheerleaders, your go-to crew for questions like “is this insurance quote normal?” or “how do I actually use Canva?”.

Networking, whether online or at local meet-ups, is genuinely invaluable - and a lot more fun than it sounds - check out our upcoming free networking event at The Castle Inn Spofforth, this September here.

Celebrate every win (even the tiny ones)

Finally, remember to give yourself credit. That first sale? Celebrate it. That nice review from a happy customer? Screenshot it and remind yourself on the tough days. Every little win counts, and together they build something pretty special.

So yes, you might be winging it some days. But here’s the honest truth - so is everyone else. And if you keep showing up, learning, trying, and being yourself, you’ll be winning more than you realise.