30 pain points in business and how to overcome them (yes, *thirty*)
If you’ve been running your business for around five years, you’ve probably learned by now that while the early stages of growth are exciting, they come with their own set of challenges. Once you’ve made it past the startup phase, keeping everything running smoothly can feel like a whole new game. You’re not alone—there are common struggles businesses face at this stage, but the good news is, they’re all solvable.
Here are 30 pain points I’ve seen time and time again, along with ways to work through them. Yes, I know it’s a lot. The issues and hurdles evolve and change and many may not apply to you and your company — but I’m betting more will apply than won’t.
Sustaining Growth: It’s easy to hit a plateau after the first big growth wave. You might feel like you’ve tapped out your market, or you’re unsure how to scale. Innovation and fresh strategies become key to keeping the momentum going. What’s next for you?
Operational Efficiency: As your business grows, processes that worked in the early days can start to break down. Optimizing workflows, investing in better systems, and improving internal communication can help you avoid bottlenecks.
Cash Flow Management: Even successful businesses can struggle with cash flow. Late payments, unexpected expenses, and managing inventory can leave you scrambling. Keep an eye on your cash flow and consider implementing stricter invoicing terms to keep things steady. I know a great CFO, just sayin.
Competition: Competition heats up when your business becomes established. Staying ahead often means offering something unique—whether it’s a killer customer experience, a new product, or niche services… who’s chasing you?
Talent Retention and Development: The labor market is chaos right now. Holding on to your top talent is harder than it looks. Employees want growth opportunities, so offering career development programs and maintaining a positive workplace culture is essential.
Market Changes and Adaptability: Business landscapes are always shifting—whether it’s technology, regulations, or economic shifts, you have to be ready to adapt. Flexibility and a willingness to pivot can keep you from getting stuck.
Leadership Fatigue: Burnout is real. If you’re feeling it, it’s a sign to step back, delegate, and maybe even take a vacation. A fresh perspective can work wonders for your energy and creativity. Invest in some self-care before it’s too late and surround yourself with a group of peers and colleagues who understand and can support you.
Customer Retention: New customers are great, but keeping the ones you have is even better. Make sure you’re continuing to deliver value, engaging with your customers regularly, and staying top of mind.
Scaling Marketing and Sales: What got you to five years might not be enough to get you to ten. That’s real. Expanding your marketing efforts, exploring new channels, and tweaking your messaging is a must for growth. All eyes on AI right now.
Compliance and Legal Challenges: Regulations and legal requirements can change fast, especially in industries like finance and healthcare. Staying compliant while navigating legal complexities can be a headache, but it’s non-negotiable. How’s that privacy policy on your website? Are you caught up with WCAG 2.0?
Scaling Customer Support: Growing your customer base is exciting—until the support requests start piling up. Invest in tools and teams that can handle the volume while keeping customer satisfaction high.
Profit Margins Under Pressure: As costs rise—whether it’s payroll, marketing, or technology—your profit margins might start feeling the squeeze. Focus on efficiency, negotiate better deals with suppliers, and keep a close eye on expenses. Sometimes, every penny really does count.
Delegation and Micromanagement: It’s hard to let go of control, but micromanaging everything will only slow you down. Learn to trust your team and delegate effectively so you can focus on the big picture. This is a big one. Hire the right people and let them do what they do so you have more time to do the things you need to do.
Complex Organizational Structure: The more layers of management and specialized teams you have, the harder it is to make quick decisions. Simplify where you can to avoid becoming bogged down in bureaucracy. #simplifyandslay
Brand Perception and Identity: As the market evolves, so should your brand. It’s important to keep your brand fresh, relevant, and aligned with your audience’s current needs and desires. Regular audits, focus groups, peer reviews, and brand updates are part of a long-term brand strategy.
Vendor or Supplier Dependency: Being overly dependent on one supplier can put your business at risk. Diversify your vendor relationships so you aren’t caught off guard by supply chain issues or price hikes. Anyone see what happened with #stickergate? iykyk
Technological Changes: Staying up to date on the latest tech is tough but necessary. Whether it’s upgrading your software, adopting automation, or revamping your digital presence, tech can help you stay competitive. You cannot operate without tech, don’t even pretend you can. If it’s not for you, find a partnership in this space.
Risk Management: The bigger you get, the more risk you face—whether it’s cyber threats, financial risks, or changes in regulations. Make sure you have a solid risk management strategy in place to protect your business.
Evolving Customer Expectations: Customers are getting more demanding every day. Especially as digital platforms continue to evolve. To keep customers happy, you need to constantly improve your offerings, personalize experiences, and stay ahead of their expectations.
Internal Communication Breakdowns: As your team grows, clear communication can get lost in the shuffle. Streamline communication tools and processes to ensure everyone stays on the same page. Investing in your teams and communications will save you the headaches you don’t even know are coming.
Stagnant Innovation: If your offerings haven’t evolved in a while, you’re at risk of falling behind. Stay curious, encourage creativity, and never stop exploring new ways to bring value to your customers. This also goes back to #4, know your competition.
Scaling Infrastructure: Growth brings operational challenges like scaling IT systems, inventory management, and even physical space. Plan ahead and invest in the infrastructure you need to sustain your growth. Remember, it takes money to make money.
Leadership Transition or Succession Planning: At some point, key leaders might want to move on or take on different roles. Planning for leadership transitions early ensures stability and continuity in your business. Maybe you want a new leadership role yourself. I trust Elsa Elbert as a mentor and ally to guide me when I’m feeling strapped.
Overcoming Strategic Misalignment: It’s easy for departments to become siloed as you grow, with different teams pursuing conflicting goals and with remote work becoming a norm. Realigning your entire organization around clear business objectives can get everyone back on track.
Work-Life Balance: Let’s be real—entrepreneurship can eat up your personal life. Finding the right balance between your work and personal life is essential to avoid burnout and stay sharp.
Global or Regional Expansion Challenges: Entering new markets can be an exciting step, but it comes with challenges—understanding different customer needs, managing logistics, and complying with local laws can be complex.
Maintaining Company Culture: As your team grows, maintaining the culture that made your company special in the early days can get tricky. Be intentional about fostering a positive, inclusive culture, no matter how big you get.
Re-evaluating Business Goals: The goals you set in year one might not make sense in year five. Regularly reevaluate your goals and make sure they align with your long-term vision and current market conditions.
Managing Investor or Stakeholder Expectations: Investors or stakeholders can apply pressure for constant growth and profits. Balancing their expectations with your long-term strategy can be challenging, but necessary for sustained success.
Customer Support Scaling: As your customer base grows, so do their needs and inquiries. Make sure you have the systems and team in place to handle the increase in support demands without sacrificing quality.
Okay, that's a lot; don’t get overwhelmed. Running a business is a marathon, not a sprint.
After 20+ years as a professional, including running my own businesses, I’ve seen it all—the highs, the lows, and everything in between. This experience allows me to confidently strategize on real-world business challenges. Alongside Elsa Elbert of Composed Living, who has mastered the art of blending mindfulness and business in all her ventures, we bring a unique balance of expertise, creativity, and wellness to the table with our new online learning platform called Composed Leaders.
Together, we’re passionate about helping women entrepreneurs build businesses that thrive, not just financially but holistically, ensuring both personal and professional fulfillment. You can trust us to guide you because we’ve walked the path—and we’re ready to walk it with you and it’s going to be kick-ass. We focus on leadership development, business growth, and creating a balanced, healthy approach to running your company.
If you wanna know more about Composed Leaders, or would like to talk strategy and support for your business, I’m here for you.
Together, we grow. 🎉
