294: 10 problems every entrepreneur faces and how to fix them

10 Problems Every Entrepreneur Faces (and How to Fix Them)

If you’re running a business, you know the journey is lined with obstacles. It’s tempting to believe your challenges are unique, but as Tina Tower candidly shares on the Her Empire Builder Show, entrepreneurs everywhere face the same core issues—over and over again. What sets thriving businesses apart isn’t avoiding problems, but learning to anticipate, embrace, and solve them with confidence.

Below, you’ll find the 10 universal entrepreneurial problems Tina identifies, alongside her practical, experience-driven advice for solving them.

1. No Clear Vision

Have you ever found yourself running fast—without really knowing where you’re headed? It’s so common for entrepreneurs to chase vague goals like “more clients” or “more money,” then wake up one day unsure how they ended up so off course.

Solution: Define YOUR version of success, reverse engineer your goals, and write them down. Make your targets measurable and commit to specific timeframes. The clearer your vision, the easier it becomes to say yes (and no) to opportunities.

2. Poor Time Management

“Busy” does NOT equal “productive.” So many business owners fill their days with activity but struggle to show meaningful progress.

Solution: Ruthlessly prioritize. Each week, ask yourself: What truly moves the needle? Focus on activities that bring you joy, enhance customer experience, or make money. Remember Pareto’s principle—20% of actions account for 80% of results. Schedule thinking time to maintain clarity.

3. Inconsistent Sales

Business revenue is rarely a straight line. Feast or famine cycles (especially in launch-based businesses) can wreak havoc on cash flow.

Solution: Build predictable sales systems. Diversify income with payment plans and evergreen funnels, not just launches. Keep your sales and marketing wheels spinning together so there’s always momentum and fresh leads in your pipeline.

4. Weak Financial Controls

Too many entrepreneurs shy away from their numbers, but ignorance is not bliss—it’s a fast path to trouble.

Solution: Know your revenue, costs, and break-even points. Set monthly targets and track performance. Use forecasting to anticipate problems and adjust before things get critical. You need visibility over your income streams and expenses, week in, week out.

5. Fear of Visibility

You know what to do to grow, but putting yourself “out there” feels terrifying. The truth? Everyone gets nervous about being seen.

Solution: Start small. Practice Instagram stories, then try a live, guest on a podcast, or a small speaking event. Confidence is built by taking imperfect action, not waiting until you “feel ready.” Remember, when you focus on serving your audience rather than your self-image, your courage grows.

6. Undercharging for Your Services

Are you pricing based on fear, not value? Many entrepreneurs undercharge, hoping to attract more buyers—when in reality, low prices can signal low value.

Solution: Price according to the transformation you deliver, not your insecurities. Study competitors, but focus on confidently communicating your offer’s benefits. When you deeply believe in your value, your audience will too.

7. Mistimed Hiring

Hiring too soon drains resources. Hiring too late leads to burnout. So, when is the right time to expand your team?

Solution: Once you’re consistently earning, identify and systemize repeatable tasks that can be delegated. Hire for ownership, not just task completion, to truly free up your mental load. Build systems before you bring people in, making onboarding seamless.

8. Shiny Object Syndrome

It’s easy to get distracted by every new trend or opportunity. But pivoting too often prevents traction, while sticking with the wrong idea too long wastes time and energy.

Solution: Commit to repeating and refining your main offer at least three times before pivoting. If conversions are consistently low or customers are asking for something else, it’s time to reassess. Learn to listen to your business and your audience.

9. No Thinking Time

Staying stuck in the weeds keeps you from making strategic decisions. You need both the visionary and operator’s perspective.

Solution: Schedule regular thinking time. Ask yourself tough questions like, “What am I pretending not to know?” and “What would this look like if it was easy?” Regularly climbing above the daily grind to evaluate your business sets direction and saves countless hours.

10. Trying to Do It All Alone

Solopreneurs wear every hat, from CEO to admin. It’s a sure route to burnout if you try to carry everything yourself.

Solution: Build your support squad—both at home and at work. Outsource, automate, delegate, and eliminate relentlessly. Nothing great is built in isolation; your wellbeing and business will flourish when you surround yourself with the right help.

Final Thoughts

Business is a game of solving problems—and enjoying the rewards that come from growth. Anticipate challenges as part of the journey. Trust that every obstacle is there for you to conquer, and success truly belongs to those who learn, adapt, and keep moving forward.