A few years ago while executing my exit strategy from my handyman business I enquired into a new, locally produced TV show called The Hard Way. The premise was to film small business owners with troubled companies being helped by experienced mentors. The title, “The Hard Way” showcased the concept of using tough-love guidance to these failing entrepreneurs in an effort to help them get their businesses moving in the right direction. But before I could even apply to be a guest my operation had sold and I was off to my next adventure. My interest was piqued recently when I ran across the first two seasons’ videos and I was so impressed I binge-watched all 24 half-hour episodes.The series originates on CHEK TV. It turns out that I’ve met a couple of the business owners highlighted in the shows which made it even more fascinating for me.

Hard Way Panel – Pristine Windows

Many of us entrepreneurs live in a state of frenzied denial – We end up running hard just to stay ahead of the pursuing grizzly bear of failure often with our friends and family telling us that what we are doing is impossible and foolish. We have to be so determined to succeed we just ignore any warning signs of real doom or even of common sense and just press on. The true entrepreneur has a level of persistence and desire, of grit and determination that veers off into the realm of obsession.

The show’s format has the guest business owner sit in front of a panel of four experienced business mentors who ask questions about the business. They try to get a sense of the level of knowledge and commitment the owner has and how close the business is to failure at that point. After the meeting the panel members discuss the situation and decide which one will be the official mentor for the guest. The mentor then meets with the owner at his or her business site and often (hilariously) tries to actually perform some task pertinent to the operation. But they are game – Al Hasham trying to learn to swing dance was epic. (I suggest bringing a change of clothes for future episodes – I felt really bad for Sybil Verch washing windows in her nice business suit).

Sybil Verch as Window Washer

Every one of the guests on the show talked about how determined he or she was to succeed. These are real people who are baring their souls on TV. You can see the emotions of fear and shame and of pride and determination playing across their faces when they tell their stories. You can see the body language of impending doom as they first sit in their chairs across from the panel. You feel their palpable relief when they realize there is a possible solution to their endless hamster wheel world of trying to achieve a goal that seems always just out of reach. (Apologies for mixing metaphors – I guess the grizzly bear is on the hamster wheel behind).

After watching a few episodes I realized there are common themes amongst all 24 businesspersons. They all have passion as I mentioned above. They all work hard and long hours. Almost none of them have even a rudimentary business plan. They don’t have defined target markets. They don’t have clearly defined goals for their businesses. They have not been able to spend any significant time or effort to develop or work ON their businesses rather than constantly working IN them. All issues are common to many entrepreneurs. We work within what we know and avoid what we don’t know or what we don’t want to face.

I was a bit disappointed although not surprised at the number of participants who were not aware of their costs and profitability. Of course just like those times when we don’t want to open up the envelope from Freedom 55 when the economy is down, we often avoid looking at the numbers for our businesses when we know we are likely to be discouraged. But no matter how numbers-averse you may be you still need to be able to add up your revenues and subtract out your expenses to figure your profits.

The business owners get free high quality help and training to get their businesses on track. This information is often missing from our entrepreneurial arsenals unless we’ve have the good fortune to attend B-school or very quickly learn from the school of hard knocks and repeated startups (and shutdowns). It was fascinating to see how each individual responded to the challenges her or she was given by the mentor. Some grabbed the challenges and ran, saw the opportunities for what they were and came back for more. Some put off the assignments as though they were grade school homework instead of being the life-changing opportunities they represented. Sometimes life got in the way with personal and family issues arising and putting the business on the back burner. However, all of them were changed by the experience.

So what is my takeaway from this professionally-produced reality series? As I tell my Entrepreneurship students and my Junior Achievement Entrepreneurial mentees, you don’t have to have a business plan to start a business – millions of business owners have proven otherwise. But having one will certainly help and it is very much worth the effort to create and to maintain so you have a defined roadmap to your success. I also tell them that you can’t get away for long without knowing your numbers. Entrepreneurs come in all sizes, shapes, ages and personalities but the basics of operating any business are pretty much the same for any entrepreneur. Although there are no guarantees when you become your own boss you can certainly be successful with hard work and the ability to know when it is time to get some extra help.

Larry Earnhart
Alchemy Business Consulting
December 19, 2014
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