For more than 15 years I've consulted for construction, demolition and trade businesses, and I've run my own small business the whole time as well. So I've seen this from both sides of the desk.
The moment it became real for me: a client owed me money and asked to pay it off over six months. I handled it badly, let frustration do the talking, and burnt a bridge I shouldn't have. The smart play was obvious afterwards. At the time, stuck in the middle of it, I couldn't see it - and by the time I could, months had gone by.
That was the pattern. Mistakes I only caught later. Decisions I sat on because I was overwhelmed and wasn't sure which way to jump. The 3am brain that won't switch off, still chewing on yesterday's problem. A late-night call that could cost me real money, with only my significant other to talk it through (and she's already got enough on her plate).
I built Office Hours so no business owner has to carry all of that on their own.
- Tee Carter, Founder