(You’re Not Alone)
You’re not imagining it.
Running a small business really is this weird.
Some days you feel unstoppable. Other days you’re celebrating something that would sound unhinged to anyone else. If any of the moments below hit a little too close to home… you’re in good company.
When the invoice finally gets paid… three weeks later.
You refresh your account. It’s there. You double-check just to be sure. Instant relief.
Explaining what you do for the 10th time this week.
You start with the long version. Switch to the short version. End with, “It’s kind of like…” and hope that works.
Saying, “I’ll just do it myself” again.
Because it’s faster. Because it’s easier. Because training someone sounds exhausting right now.
Wearing every hat. Even the ones you didn’t ask for.
Owner. Marketing. Customer service. IT support. Janitor. Sometimes all before noon.
Knowing exactly who’s calling before you answer.
Good news? Problem? Quick question that won’t be quick? You already know.
Celebrating small wins that no one else sees.
A positive review. A repeat customer. A smooth week with no surprises. These count. All of them.
Working “normal hours”… plus a few more.
Early mornings. Late nights. Thinking about your business even when you’re not working.
If this feels familiar, here’s the good news. You’re not behind. You’re not doing it wrong. You’re doing what small business owners have always done, figuring it out as you go.
And you don’t have to do everything alone.
At Central Willamette Credit Union, we work with local business owners who live these moments every day. From business checking and savings to lending and cash management tools, our goal is simple: make the money side of your business feel a little less heavy, so you can focus on what you do best.
Because if anyone understands the “I’ll just do it myself” phase… it’s us.
You’ve got this. And we’ve got your back.