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Sailing Through Challenges: A Tale of an Online Business Owner

JANICE HURLBURT

Navigating the Challenges of Running an Online Business

Running an online business can feel full of twists and turns—always changing and keeping us on our toes. Every click holds the promise of growth, and every post offers the chance to connect with new clients.

Yet, being an entrepreneur, a coach, or a service-based professional is a journey of resilience, where every challenge either knocks you down or you stand up to the opportunity to learn and grow.

The Reality of Facing Challenges in an Online Business

Sandy, an online coach for wellness professionals, found herself facing more than her fair share. She had passion and expertise, but a marketing campaign with only a few sign-ups made her doubt herself, and she began questioning everything!

Sandy was hitting a low, and her marketing campaign had not returned the results she had hoped to achieve.

Why Setbacks Are Part of the Online Business Journey

She began feeling a little anxious each morning when she opened her laptop to start her day. On one of these days, she remembered a meaningful conversation.

During this period, while living on a boat, Sandy submitted articles to various magazines to supplement her income. The daily routine, however, wasn’t as idyllic as one might imagine.

The challenges of boat life and living abroad—everything from the cramped quarters, constant maintenance, and missing her family—frustrated her, compounding her anxiety.

How a Shift in Your Perspective Can Change Your Outlook

One day, while venting to a sailor friend, he reminded her to think about her purpose.

You’re living in a setting most people only dream about. Each morning, you wake up to tropical birds singing and sunsets that inspire you to write.

“You’re not just writing—you’re living the story.”

That stuck with her.

Turning Obstacles into Opportunities for Growth

Inspired by this memory, Sandy understood that her struggles were not obstacles but opportunities. Each challenge was a chance to tell her story, showing her vulnerability and how she prevailed over time.

She took a step back and looked at what was happening. She asked herself some key questions:

• Why hadn’t her marketing campaign been as successful as she’d hoped?
• What could she have done differently?
• What more did she need to do to know her audience better?


One thing Sandy identified was that she hadn’t promoted her event far enough in advance. Next time, she planned to start promoting three weeks before the event, giving her audience plenty of time to engage. With that one change in her strategy, she enrolled her goal number.

Sandy’s story reminds me of my own experience living on a sailboat, balancing work with the constant challenges of boat life.

In fact, Sandy and I go way back to our sailing days—we’ve stayed in touch over the years, sharing our business and marketing strategies to support each other.

The Importance of Support Systems in Your Online Business

I like to emphasize that every hurdle you face in your online business—whether it’s a slow week, a campaign that doesn’t work out, or just feeling overwhelmed—is part of the entrepreneurial journey.

It’s essential to support each other, whether through meeting with colleagues, working with a business coach, or having a mentor, to stay focused on your purpose and goals.

In loving memory of Sandy, I wanted to share her incredible journey. She passed away a few years ago from cancer, but her dedication to working while cruising left a lasting impression on me. Even 25 years ago, she was working online.

Real-Life Stories of Strength and Resilience

One story that still amazes me is when Sandy and her husband first started their trip to Mexico after leaving San Diego. A few days into the voyage, Sandy was knocked unconscious by the main sail boom.

Her husband immediately performed CPR and called the Coast Guard. Thankfully, he was able to revive her, and she was airlifted to a hospital in San Diego.

Sandy’s near-death experience was terrifying, and if her husband hadn’t acted quickly, the outcome could have been devastating.

Her courage is remarkable—despite the traumatic event, Sandy and her husband set out again the following season. We reunited in the Sea of Cortez and sailed together to Mexico.

Why Character Building is Essential for Online Business Success

Sandy and I often talked about the struggles of running an online business and our old sailing days.

Her story is a testament to the resilience and strength that come from facing obstacles head-on and building character—something I fear is missing in today’s younger generation.

With phones and technology at their fingertips 24/7, many haven’t experienced the kind of character-building challenges that come from going outside their comfort zone, venturing into the unknown, navigating different cultures, or even getting lost in a jungle for a few hours.

True character is built through experiences, both good and bad, and the lessons we learn from them. Those are the kinds of experiences that shape us to be unbreakable.

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Janice Hurlburt Online Management

ABOUT JANICE HURLBURT

I help coaches and entrepreneurs shine their expertise online, by making the process of building their online presence fun, simple, and ready-for-success.

My digital agency will take care of the technology for you, help you shine like a star and get your expertise and efforts noticed. When you make me your partner in online management, I become the navigator of your journey, helping you map your success, attract the right clients, grow online and make more money.

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