Entrepreneurs are a special kind; they take risks, they innovate, and they know how to solve problems. They’re tenacious and are willing to fight for their dreams.
But even the most passionate founders can run into obstacles that stall growth and fight against a good start-up success rate.
Below are four of the most frequent challenges small-business owners face, along with focused strategies you can apply immediately.
We admit we bring these from our decades of experience as VPs of Sales – but business is selling, as you know!
So – whether you’re preparing to launch your new company or you have a little experience under your belt, these are a few good lessons that entrepreneurs could learn from sales experts.
Four Problems for Entrepreneurs – And How to Solve Them!
Let’s start with zeal – all good entrepreneurs are zealous, so the first challenge is when it takes over!
1. Over-enthusiasm That Is Killing Potential Deals
The challenge: When you believe so strongly in your product that every conversation turns into a hard sell, you risk overwhelming or even scaring off potential customers.
How to address it:
Listen first. Ask open-ended questions to uncover the specific outcomes your prospects care about.
Tailor your message. Speak directly to the solutions they need, rather than touting every feature you love.
Demonstrate value. Share concise examples or case studies that show how you’ve solved similar problems for others.
2. Blending in with Competitors
The challenge: Even if your offering is fundamentally different, vague positioning or generic branding makes you look just like everyone else in the market. That way lies failure!
How to address it:
Pinpoint your uniqueness. What feature, story, or approach do you offer that no one else does?
Craft a clear value proposition. Boil that uniqueness down to a single sentence your audience immediately understands.
Reinforce consistently. Weave that differentiator into your website headline, sales conversations, and marketing materials.
3. Putting Off Critical Decisions
The challenge: It’s tempting to delay tough calls – hiring, pricing changes, product pivots – especially when you’re juggling a dozen hats as an entrepreneur.
How to address it:
Create a simple decision framework. List your options, weigh costs vs. benefits, and assign a deadline for action.
Prioritize highest-impact choices. Tackle decisions that unlock growth or reduce ongoing drag first.
Review and adapt. Set brief checkpoints (weekly or bi-weekly) to measure whether your decision is delivering the expected gains.
4. Lacking Defined Goals
The challenge: Without concrete targets, it’s impossible to know whether your efforts are moving the needle – or where to double down.
How to address it:
Set SMART objectives (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound).
Track leading indicators. Choose metrics (e.g., qualified leads, conversion rate, average sale) that signal progress long before revenue hits your books.
Iterate toward growth. Use data to spot underperforming areas, test small tweaks, and scale what works for sustainable momentum.
If you recognize these four pitfalls – and apply the corresponding solutions – you’ll spend less time scrambling and more time building a business that truly stands out. You’ll then see clear progress and results that help you scale when appropriate.
360 Can Help Entrepreneurs Grow Their Business
Small business owners and entrepreneurs have to wear many hats. But you don’t have to do everything yourself at first.
You can use our expertise as leverage, and we’ll let you know what’s working and what’s not.
We can also create unique plans that fit your organizational needs and help you grow the way you want.
To figure out where your company stands on its way to breaking sales records and achieving a stable foundation for long-term growth, schedule your FREE consultation with us today!
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