Running a small service business is more than just a job it’s a way of life. After 29 years in business, I can say with honesty that the journey has been full of both triumphs and trials. But through it all, one thing has always stood at the centre: small business relationships.
This year has been especially reflective for me. My parents just celebrated 60 years of marriage a powerful reminder of what it means to stay committed through all of life’s ups and downs. At the same time, I’m celebrating nearly three decades of my own commitment to this business, my clients, my employees, my family and the people who have stood beside me through it all. I have friendships that go back 35 years, and relationships I’ve built through this business that have become like family.
Left to Right: Sharlene Massie & Corrie Massie, Sharlene’s Father & Mother
Why Relationships Are the Heart of Running a Small Service Business
The Highs: The Meaning Behind the Work
- Fulfillment in Service:
There’s something deeply meaningful about doing work that makes a difference in people’s lives. Over the years, I’ve seen how much trust clients and candidates place in us, and that never gets old. -
Lifelong Connections:
Some of my clients have become lifelong friends. Others started as friends and became collaborators, cheerleaders, and sources of strength in hard times. This business has connected me to people I would have never met otherwise. -
Honoring the Milestones:
Celebrating 29 years in business reminds me not just of the hard work but of the people. From day one, every success has been shared with those who’ve walked beside me. Just like my parents’ 60-year marriage, and my own nearly 40 years of marriage, it’s the day-to-day commitment that builds something lasting. Next year will be a huge milestone when we hit 30 years a major moment in running a small service business. -
Longstanding Friendships and Community:
Some friends have stood by me for more than 35 years. That kind of loyalty and presence has grounded me through the rollercoaster of entrepreneurship. Their belief in me has often reminded me to believe in myself.
The Heart of the Business: Our Employees and Their Families
The soul of this business isn’t just me, the founder it’s the people who’ve worked beside me.
Employee loyalty has been a cornerstone of our journey. Long-term employees have shared in the wins and losses. We’ve stood in the trenches together during the busy seasons, the stressful recruits, and the nights we wake up wanting to share the OMG nightmares of something forgotten. It’s not always easy, and the give-and-take is real. But through all the intensity, we’ve built something more than a team we’ve built trust.
What’s often unseen is the support behind each employee: their families, partners, children, even parents. These are the people who understand the toll it takes to work in a close-knit small business. They’ve adjusted dinner plans, listened calmly through ongoing difficult negotiations, and offered quiet encouragement. And for that, I’m deeply grateful.
We don’t just say “we care” as a slogan it’s lived out in how we look out for one another. We celebrate wins together, and while some weeks are more frustrating than others, we support each other in hard times, and carry one another when someone needs it. That’s not something you find everywhere. It’s special. Rare.
Embracing the Highs and Lows of Running a Small Service Business
The Lows: What Comes With the Territory
-
Emotional Load:
When you own the business, you carry the weight. Every customer issue, every setback it lands on your shoulders. But what I’ve learned is that when you care, it’s supposed to be heavy sometimes. It means you’re doing it right. If it was so easy… you know the saying, “everyone would do it”. These are just some of the real service business challenges that don’t always make it to the surface. -
Relationship Tension:
There have been missed moments birthdays, vacations, family dinners, anniversaries because the business needed attention. That’s a hard trade. We believe in and fight for work-life balance in small business, but we do get rerouted on the way home due to traffic and deadlines that the business demands.
I’ve learned to be more intentional about finding balance, but it’s still a daily practice sometimes weekly, sometimes quarterly.
-
Financial Uncertainty:
Service businesses have their ups and downs, and that stress doesn’t stay at the office. It can follow you home, affect your sleep, and challenge even the strongest relationships.
The Balancing Act: People First, Always
-
Celebrate Each Other:
This year, I’ve been reminded that the people around us are everything. My parents’ 60-year milestone, the deep friendships that span decades, and my own team’s loyalty (which is one of our core values), have all shown me that love and support are the true cornerstones of any lasting success. -
Communicate and Connect:
Whether it’s a client, a friend, or a team member, communication is key. Let people know they matter. Be transparent. Listen more. Ask how they or their family is doing. It makes a difference. -
Make Room for Life:
Work can take over, but we can choose to create space for joy, for rest, for the people who give our lives meaning. That’s where the real success lies. It just may take some patience.
After 29 years, I know this much: running a small service business is built on human connection. On clients who trust you, on employees who show up for you, on friends and family who believe in you even when you’re tired. It’s in the tears shared after a long week, the hugs after a big win, the laughter in the in-between.
This business was never just about the service it’s always been about the people. I wouldn’t have made it this far without them, and I carry that gratitude every single day.
Here’s to the next chapter the big 30 next year for a small business with a big reputation for caring with heart, and with the people who matter most.
At About Staffing, we help Calgary businesses write postings that connect so you can hire with heart and purpose.
Contact us today to explore exciting job openings, transformative training programs, and real career growth opportunities or discover how our expert recruitment, hiring, and payroll services can help elevate your business. Whether you’re seeking your next role or your next rockstar employee, we’ve got you covered!
For more blogs like this one click here.