Jump Starting a Stalled Piece of Your Business (or Life)

After six months off the road, we tried to start an older car for my son as he returns from college. The once active, robust automobile barely made a sound as we turned on the ignition. It stalled out completely after a few attempts. How could a once vibrant car be acting this way? Did we ignore it too long? Should we have jump started the engine sooner? Was it our fault for not paying enough attention to keep it running well?

Our businesses can become like stalled cars in our garage. The once active, moving, exhilarating hum of it working can fall quiet if it is left idle too long. By the time we realize we have to start the engines and get it back on the road in roaring condition, the energy has been depleted and we have to resurrect it.

How many times as women business owners have we ignored our companies a little too long because we were tired, lost focus or interest? Maybe we needed a break so we walked away for a short time only to return to find it lifeless. A vibrant business or even one humming along at a steady pace can’t be ignored for any period of time before it becomes similar to a dead car battery which then requires new energy to get it moving again.

What I love about some of the women I have spoken to over my two decade career, is their willingness to seek support on reinventing their companies. Many of us don’t reach out to industry icons for that type of support but I have known a few women who have. It takes humility, hard work and willingness to jump start a business again to bring it back to life and back to an even stronger position it was before. We all have that ability to jump start a piece of our business or life like dieting, starting to run, or going back to school, no matter how long we’ve overlooked it. Entrepreneurs can always find support from local and regional consultants, government agencies and other female business owners. You just have to ask.

Today’s blog post is to remind you that if you feel like your business is like the dead car in the garage, ignored a little too long, it’s never too late to refocus, restart and rejuvenate it. It will take hard work and a willingness to review, reform and renew key components to breathe it full of life. It might also take admitting you need help and being humble enough to seek advice.