Do you sometimes find it hard to stay motivated as a small business owner?
Last week, Warwick & Penny attended the Entrepreneurs Circle Convention 2025 and, if we’re honest, it was a well-needed boost, and reminded us of quite a few ways to stay motivated as a small business owner.
Running your own business is a privilege and very rewarding, but it can also feel a bit of a slog at times (especially these days, it seems). Would you agree?
If you are feeling the same, we thought you might appreciate these “nuggets’ (as EC founder Nigel Botteril calls them!) from the Convention that gave us motivation and inspiration and were timely reminders of things we might already know but had forgotten.
Here goes – our 5 quotes that we think help you stay motivated as a small business owner.
1. “What we lack is not more time. It’s the clarity.” Nigel Botterill
Feeling overwhelmed? You’re not alone.
It’s easy to believe the answer is more hours in the day, but often, what we really need is focus. We need to give ourselves credit and acknowledge what we are doing but also how we can do better. Taking a break ‘from’ the business can help us see things more clearly.
2. “Your authenticity is your superpower.” Lottie Whyte
Trying to do it like everyone else? Don’t.
Lottie reminded us that our real voice, our real values is what sets our business apart. Don’t underestimate the power of showing up as you. It’s an attention econony and showing up genuinely is the best way to get that attention so if things aren’t as perfect as you would like, it is okay.
3. “Keep going. Just because it didn’t work out once doesn’t mean that it won’t.” Joe Wicks
One setback isn’t the end. It’s just part of the path.
What failed yesterday might work tomorrow, but you have to keep at it. It’s not that your idea isn’t great, or your product isn’t great, or your social posts aren’t working; it’s just that things don’t happen immediately. Persistence isn’t glamorous, but it’s powerful. Trust the process, not the perfection, and keep going. You will get there!
4. “F*ck being humble.” Stefanie Sword-Williams
Stop waiting for permission. Build your own seat at the table.
Playing small doesn’t serve you or your business. If you’ve got something to offer, say it, share it, show it. Confidence isn’t arrogance; it’s clarity about your worth. Claim space, unapologetically. We all have imposter syndrome at some point (or all the time?!!) but we wouldn’t have a business if we weren’t good. You just have to believe it
5. “Society tells us we have to fight. Change your language.” John Vincent
You don’t have to ‘crush it’ to succeed.
Business doesn’t have to be aggressive to be effective. Your words shape your mindset and your outcomes. Instead of hitting targets what about ‘delivering results’ or ‘reach your goals’. It might seem like a pointless swap, but you deserve to be gentle to yourself, and this could be a game-changer. Worth a try, right?
Basically, we were reminded that we are all doing really well, even if it doesn’t always feel like it!!
Approximately 18% of people in the UK run their own business.
It isn’t for everyone.
We deserve to pat ourselves on the back. It is no easy feat, especially at the moment, and we need to find ways to stay motivated as a small business owner.
Sometimes motivation doesn’t always come from pushing harder or thinking bigger or doing more.
Sometimes, it’s about pausing, reconnecting with your ‘why,’ and giving yourself permission to do things differently, but also giving yourself permission to breathe, reflect, and acknowledge all that you do.
You really are doing great (even if you don’t think you are), and we hope this has given you some inspiration, some camaraderie and a few ways to stay motivated as a small business owner.
Let us know and share the quote that resonates the most with you. Email us here we’d love to hear from you.
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