Business Under Pressure: Navigating Chaos, Delays, and Unexpected Wins

Running a business is a lot like playing Tetris—except the pieces don’t always fit, the game speeds up when you least expect it, and sometimes, just when you think you’ve got everything lined up, the whole thing collapses. Last week was exactly that kind of week.

From supplier hiccups to funding headaches, staffing struggles to influencer opportunities, it was a rollercoaster of challenges and wins. While moments like these can feel overwhelming, they also serve as a reminder of why adaptability, problem-solving, and resilience are at the core of entrepreneurship.

When Things Don’t Go to Plan (Because They Never Do)

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in business? Nothing ever goes exactly as planned. And last week was a prime example.

Renovation Delays and the Never-Ending Wait

With Box Brand’s new space coming together, last week was supposed to be about moving forward. The decorator finished, giving us a beautifully fresh white canvas to work with. The electricians installed heating, which was another huge milestone. Everything was lined up to progress smoothly.

But then—of course—delays hit. The flooring was supposed to go in, but that got pushed back a day, which created a domino effect. Meanwhile, the shop fittings arrived at 4:45 PM, leaving us scrambling to get everything inside before the workday ended. It was a stressful reminder that timing is everything, but flexibility is even more important.

A Five-Figure Problem: The Reality of Business Growth

I always knew the move from St Giles Centre to our new space would come with costs, but the final figures were a lot higher than expected—a substantial five-figure investment.

This meant an immediate pivot into funding mode. I’ve spent the week chasing grants, exploring financial support options, and trying to balance the need for funding without slowing down progress.

The challenge? Funding doesn’t move as fast as business needs to. There’s a fine line between being proactive and getting stuck in red tape, and right now, I’m walking that tightrope.

When the Unexpected Becomes the Norm

As if shop delays and funding hurdles weren’t enough, IT Central—my other business—was also hit with staffing struggles.

A Near-Crisis at IT Central

Out of our six-person team, three were out—one on leave, one out due to childcare, and one sick. That left just three of us trying to manage everything.

For the first time in nine years, we almost had to close the shop completely.

The only thing that saved us? One of our technicians switched his day off.

It made me reflect on how much my role has changed. Years ago, I was the person running the front of the shop, handling bookings, and managing customers. Now, I spend more time working on the business rather than in the business. And while that’s a great shift, it also means I don’t know the day-to-day systems as well as I used to. It was a wake-up call to stay connected to frontline operations—even as the business evolves.

The Highs: Influencer Deals and a Big Book Milestone

Despite the stress, there were some incredible wins last week too.

A TikTok Influencer Order

We received an order from a TikTok influencer, which could mean huge exposure for Box Brand. While nothing is guaranteed in influencer marketing, this is an exciting opportunity to reach new audiences.

A Sample for a Famous Singer-Songwriter

We also sent a product sample to a rather well-known artist (name under wraps for now!). These kinds of opportunities can be game-changers, and while there are no promises, it’s a reminder that putting your work out there can lead to unexpected but exciting doors opening.

Seeing My Book Cover for the First Time

The biggest highlight? Receiving the first draft of my book cover.

Writing a book is a long process, but seeing the visual representation of all that hard work made it feel very real. It’s one thing to write a book; it’s another to see it start taking shape as a finished product.

Final Thoughts: How Do You Handle Business Curveballs?

Last week was stressful, messy, and at times overwhelming—but it also reinforced that adaptability and problem-solving are key to running a business.

?? How do you handle unexpected business challenges? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

And if you’re following along on my journey, don’t forget—you can pre-order my book at www.leemidlane.com/books and be part of the launch team.

Here’s to making progress, even when it feels like a juggling act! ???