Why Running a Business Feels Just Like the Summer Holidays
Running a small business? Congratulations — you’ve basically signed up for the SAS version of surviving the summer holidays with kids. It’s chaotic, unpredictable, and sometimes leaves you wondering why you thought this was a good idea in the first place.
Think about it: summer holidays are six weeks of constant noise, endless snack requests, and plans that go out the window by 9am. Running a business isn’t much different. You start each day with a plan, only to have it derailed by tech glitches, surprise customer demands, or the urgent “fire” you absolutely didn’t schedule.
Both require stamina, patience, and the ability to laugh when things go sideways. And both, oddly enough, can be pretty rewarding when you lean into the madness.
Lesson 1: Flexibility is Everything
In the summer holidays, you might plan a lovely calm morning at the park, only for the heavens to open the second you arrive. Cue frantic Googling of indoor play centres and hoping no one spots the biscuits-for-lunch emergency plan.
Business works the same way. You can have the perfect strategy, but then your booking system crashes, or your supplier delivers 200 hula hoops instead of 20. The key isn’t sticking rigidly to the plan — it’s pivoting with a smile (or at least a strong cup of tea).
Lesson 2: Boundaries Stop the Meltdowns
Kids in summer will test you: “Can we have ice cream at 9am? How about now? What if I ask again?” Sound familiar? Customers, staff, and even your own work habits can be just as persistent.
Set boundaries. Without them, you’ll be running on fumes, replying to emails at midnight, and wondering why you feel like a walking zombie. Clear rules — whether it’s about working hours, cancellations, or when you stop for lunch — keep everyone sane.
Lesson 3: Small Wins Count
Parenting in the summer holidays often feels like survival mode. A “win” might be getting everyone out of the house with matching shoes or making it through the day without stepping on Lego.
In business, the same principle applies. Don’t wait for the big milestone. Celebrate sending that tricky email, getting one new sign-up, or simply surviving a week where your printer didn’t rebel. Small wins build big momentum.
Lesson 4: Find the Fun in the Chaos
Yes, summer holidays can feel like an endurance test. But they’re also filled with unexpected joy — a water fight in the garden, a picnic that actually goes to plan, or a rare quiet cuddle on the sofa.
Business is no different. Between the admin and the juggling, don’t forget to enjoy the parts that light you up — teaching your classes, seeing kids thrive, or connecting with families. That’s the magic that makes the chaos worth it.
The Takeaway
Running a business is just like the summer holidays: full of noise, mess, and unexpected plot twists. But here’s the secret — it’s also where the best memories (and successes) are made. When you embrace the madness, set your boundaries, and celebrate the little wins, you realise you’re not just surviving the chaos — you’re thriving in it.
So next time your business day feels like a six-week holiday on repeat, remind yourself: you’ve got this. Because if you can survive summer holidays, you can survive anything.