2022 Year End Report - Small business imposter syndrome?

Firstly, I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas and some well earned rest ahead of the New Year onslaught...

At this time of year, I usually write a year-end report.  So, I sat down this week to think about what I would share with you through my experiences of running The Garden Roastery in 2022, what were the nuggets of things that really stuck in my head that might be of interest?  If I’m honest, I really wasn’t sure whether I wanted to write a year-end report because it’s been an up-and-down year.  With the last few months being more stressful than usual.  There have been some challenges but there have also been some real highs.  So don’t stop reading at this point, it gets better I promise.  
 
Having mulled it over, I started to wonder, is there such a thing as Small Business Imposter Syndrome?  Why is it that we often think that we need to be perfect before we are legitimate in business?  Surely, it’s the journey that’s the thing that we should be enjoying rather than search for that elusive, perfect business.  Surely, it’s those lows and challenges that we overcome, the items that were unexpected that, when we finally look back, will be the ones that we remember.  Of course, business is about sales figures but it’s about so much more.   It’s about fulfilment, providing amazing customer service and giving something back.  It may be a single customer being delighted with their purchase, a snippet of unexpected positive feedback, or being able to support a local supplier, which gives you a sense of achievement. 

Imposter Syndrome
​ –The persistent inability to believe that one’s success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one’s own efforts or skills

​So here is the year-end report that I wasn’t planning to write for 2022.  For me the year has really been a game of two halves. Following my delight at the end of 2021, when I had doubled the sales figures for The Garden Roastery, I felt that I was already delivering a high quality and consistent service.   The first half of 2022 started well, building on that joy and really feeling like I was getting somewhere with a significant increase in regular customers and wonderful feedback from customers who have been shopping with me for many years.  

The Lows?

Then in July 2022 something not related to the business really had an impact at home, we came back from a few nights away to find a swimming pool on the floor in the kitchen. Well, not a real swimming pool of course.  The hot water tank in the loft had kindly decided to leak through to the upstairs of the house, through the bathroom and into the kitchen before depositing itself onto the downstairs floor.  To be honest in the scheme of things it’s a very basic problem and should have been relatively easy to fix.   The volume of water, compared to some leaks or floods was insignificant, but what followed felt like six months of constantly being let down by suppliers which meant by Christmas we had just concrete floors and no furniture in the downstairs of the house and no confirmed sign of resolution.   

Daisy, my beautiful retro coffee roasting machine, was really starting to feel like she was reaching her twilight years. ​

​Trying to sort out the repairs in the house at the same time as running a small business along with my busy corporate role wouldn’t usually phase me, but in addition unfortunately my wonderful Daisy, my beautiful retro coffee roasting machine, was really starting to feel like she was reaching her twilight years.  She started to show signs of needing a lot more TLC and on several occasions, I was unable to roast due to break downs.   Hopefully all the issues for Daisy are solvable, but they’re not the sort of things that you can do in half an hour squeezed between other priorities.  You really do need to allocate time in any business to plan in those maintenance schedules, make sure you’ve got every part in stock, make sure that you’ve got additional stock in case of a breakdown.   The good news is that Daisy has been receiving some much-needed TLC in the Christmas shutdown with some shiny new parts on order.  

​“But what about the highs for 2022?” I hear you cry!

​Well great news, The Garden Roastery customer base has grown, with orders being dispatched across the UK.  Local customer awareness has spread, and I regularly find myself being greeted with ‘oh you’re the coffee lady’ – that always makes me smile.  There have been new product launches – the latest being the sell-out Coffee Travel Can and for the first time ever The Garden Roastery coffee and gifts are available for purchase at another local business.

So, what’s next? ​

Those of you who are fans of The West Wing will recognise the phrase… 'What's next?'

What does 2023 hold for me and The Garden Roastery?  Well, it’s onwards and upwards.  I have been qualified as a Coffee Roaster since 2017, through the Speciality Coffee Association.  But it’s time to refresh and top up.  So, this year I am planning to travel to Copenhagen for the next stage of professional roaster training, exams and qualifications.  I can’t wait!
I will also need to start looking at new equipment, and I will be using my training trip to scout out the best roasting machines before considering an upgrade to help increase capacity and let Daisy start her well-deserved retirement.
Product development will definitely be on the cards with consideration of a range of subscription packages.  
Support and networking – I really want to spend more time networking with and supporting other local businesses.  It provides such a boost to meet others in a similar situation and share great ideas.  I have a business degree and 30 years experience which I hope can help others.
Last but not least, I want to give more back and support worthy causes where I can.  Whilst The Garden Roastery does not have the funds do make large corporate donations, I will absolutely be looking for opportunities to support worthy causes and reduce environmental impact whilst providing the best service possible to my customers.

Keep the faith...

I’m really looking forward to this year.   I’ve got a big birthday coming up and that is a big reason to focus on my passion.  For all small business owners out there I do believe there is such a thing as a Small Business Imposter Syndrome.  I think all small business owners at some point wonder whether they’re actually doing it right and forget how much they have achieved and how far they have come.  There have been so many small businesses close with the recent economic challenges.  But keep the faith! You do know more than you think, all the effort is worth it.  Yes, it’s very very hard but don’t give up.  Keep your passion, keep celebrating the journey, support each other along the way and together we will all keep small-business alive. 
 
Thanks so much for all my customers and all those people who have supported the Roastery through 2022.  Let’s look forward and have a wonderful 2023.  Happy New Year!

Lisa xx