5 Types of Small Business Owners – Which One Are You?

So you are a small business owner. There are so many of them in America. All of you contribute significantly to the economy of this country by serving the citizens, providing jobs and keeping the industry going.

Obviously, all small businesses that have been set up in the country differ in so many ways; the products, the services, the industries, the organizational structures and so on. Just as these businesses vary so do the people to whom they belong. Business owners are also different from each other. Each has their own personalities and unique set of strengths with which they mold their companies in a varying manner. Some lead their business to success and others end up in shutting it down.

Among the types of small business owners that exist, which one are you? We’ll give you a review of the most common ones. Match up your personalities and see which category you fall in!

1.      The Lighthouse Keeper

The biggest miser of all times, that is what we call the lighthouse keeper. But for businesses, this can actually be a good thing if you are looking around to increase your savings.

From what we have seen, the lighthouse keepers never purchase any pens, desks or any other office supplies or equipment for their business. They already seem to have everything for their company, even though it may be ages old. 

As far as clients are concerned, these business owners do have some, which are enough for them. They do not need any more sales than the ones they are already getting, and so they do not go about marketing their business.  And what about the staff? They can manage all the tasks with the few people that they have on their team.

2.      The Lemonade Seller

The lemonade sellers are among the most persistent and determined business owners that exist on this earth.  They know what to do even if they are handed down lemonades. They are well aware of their needs and are keen to see them being met. With their goals already set, business owners of these sort have complete faith in their passion and trust their experience and skills to help them achieve their objectives.

The lemonade sellers are well aware of their comfort zone and have no interest on getting out of it, but anyone who steps in is welcome.  Their environment is cozy and comfortable, and all employees and customers feel appreciated.

From what we have seen, lemonade sellers actually turn out to be among the most successful business owners. For them, their customers are the most important whom they always consider right. As for their employees, they make work fun for them and encourage so many people to join their company

But for the lemonade sellers, all the success and glory is limited to their comfort zone only. The moment they step out of it, they become insecure and might not deliver an incredible performance then.

3.      The Family Business Owner

The family business owners have a company that is filled with their relatives. Their parents manage the inventory, whereas the customer counters are handled by the nephews. The nieces focus on promoting the business, and the brothers and sisters keep the supply chain running. Should someone get married, that is good news because it means more people to help out with the day to day tasks.

So why are these sort of business owners so keen on hiring people from their own family only? For starters, it helps them avoid costs and the hassles associated with recruiting. Plus, they can watch over their kids and give them too much work so that they stay out of trouble.

After all, it is the family who is there through thick and thin, and when together, they can make anything wok out in their favor.

4.      The Collaborator

The collaborator is the business owner who always partners up, and actually makes a really good one. These sort of business owners love being a part of a team, can understand other people’s concerns, see the angle from which others are seeing things, and can even handle disagreements.

Business owners who choose to pool resources and set up a partnership can create a company that is bigger and better. Whether they take financial or intellectual help, the end result is always more effective than when they had handled things on their own. But there are problems too because of which many partnerships fail causing the business to end up in turmoil.

In partnerships, the responsibilities are shared and so are the rewards. But as far as blame is considered, it is always considered to be the other one’s fault, which is what terminates the relationship one day.

5.      The Connecter

The connector is a business owner who has huge network, but this is not their only strength. The connectors are smart when it comes to cross-promoting and these skills put their business on the path to success.  Connectors know all the major players in the industry, and always have their hands extended. From charity events to board meetings, they often have full days with extremely tight schedules. But they go all about it with a smile, and complain for not even once.

The connectors are active members of professional organizations and regular participants in conferences or seminars. And social gatherings are included on their list too, which according to them, are one of the best places to market products. The connectors also value their customers and take the trouble to reach out to them every now and then.

Probably the most successful business owners, the connectors have the habit of playing the shots at just the right time, and there is no chance that they miss. With their skills and charismatic personalities, they march their companies forward and build their brand image.

So which business owner of the above are you?