If you asked my Mum, she’d probably say that I’m a fairly smart cookie. And I’d like to think that the building of my teeny tiny empire over the last few years has been a testament to that. Why then, as an intelligent, well-educated thirty-something, do I absolutely love watching television’s lowest common denominator – Love Island?
Well, it’s my guilty pleasure. It’s the kind of TV programme that allows me to switch off my brain entirely. When I’ve had a long day doing one of the myriad of tasks involved in keeping my small business afloat, Love Island is the perfect Gin to my Tonic. And as I’ve been consumed in the Villa and all its antics, I’ve been drawing some similarities between Love Island and running a small business. Maybe the current heatwave has gotten to me a little, but stick with me here, I might be on to something.
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You’re not always going to be compatible
Just as Samira and Sam found out, sometimes it’s not enough to just like what’s in front of you. And although they got along, over-enthusiastically laughed at each other’s jokes and enjoyed a little hand-holding here and there, it wasn’t meant to be.
Just as in business, if you’re not totally into it, rethink your game. You live and breathe a small business. It’s the last thing you think about when you fall asleep at night and the first thing you think about when you wake up in the morning. So even if your business idea is 100% your type on paper, there’s no point in pursuing it if you don’t completely believe in it.
So, before you commit to something that you aren’t sure about, stop and have a rethink about how you might adjust what you’re doing (even if it’s just slightly) to make sure you can bring your passion along to the party.
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There’s a Jack and Dani in every industry
Now listen. I’m firmly in camp Jack and Dani, obvs. But come on, they’re pretty vanilla, aren’t they? I mean there’s been no bed hopping, no tearful fights and no raunchy late-night antics from the pair of them since they walked into the villa. I suppose there’s nothing wrong with being vanilla. It’s dependable, predictable and proven the test of time.
In every industry, there’s going to be a Jack and Dani. In the greeting cards world, it’s that brand with the illustrated teddy bears that shall remain nameless. I’ve often wondered how a brand like that can still be so widely available and successful. How would my new brand ever compete with the likes of that – available in every chain store and service station across the globe?
Well, let me tell you. You don’t need to be competing with that.
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