579 – Business Poll Results
The How of Business - How to start, run, grow and exit a small business.
Henry Lopez, Levante Business Group
4.7 • 522 Ratings
🗓️ 25 August 2025
⏱️ 16 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Business poll results reveal the biggest challenges small business owners face, from marketing struggles to sales fears, debt concerns, AI adoption, and growth barriers.
Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/579-business-poll-results/
In this episode of The How of Business, Henry Lopez reviews recent poll results from listeners, highlighting the top challenges and concerns facing small business owners today. From avoiding common mistakes to embracing AI tools, these insights provide a clear picture of what entrepreneurs are struggling with most.
According to poll responses, the leading concerns include poor marketing and the tendency to "do it all yourself." As Henry explains, many owners fall into the trap of unfocused marketing or refusing to delegate, both of which limit growth. "If we try to be everything to everybody, we will likely fail," Henry notes, emphasizing the need for a clear plan and target customer.
Sales challenges also emerged strongly, with listeners citing not knowing what to say and fear of rejection as the hardest hurdles. Henry shares tips for crafting an elevator pitch and reframing rejection as feedback rather than failure, pointing listeners to related episodes on sales fundamentals and elevator pitches.
Borrowing money was another hot-button topic. Many respondents admitted to fearing debt altogether or being unsure how much to borrow. Henry stresses that while personal finance often teaches us to avoid debt, smart leverage is essential for growth. He offers his free Small Business Borrowing Checklist to guide owners through best practices.
AI usage continues to gain traction, with most listeners experimenting with platforms like ChatGPT or features embedded in existing tools such as QuickBooks. Henry encourages pushing beyond simple content creation to using AI as a true assistant in research, planning, and decision-making.
When asked about the most important skills for success, self-discipline and resilience topped the list. Henry highlights how discipline and the ability to make tough decisions are critical traits for entrepreneurs transitioning from corporate roles.
Finally, growth challenges tied to lack of strategy and weak marketing or sales reveal the importance of clear, focused planning. Henry reminds listeners that even a one-page strategic plan can create the clarity and consistency needed to scale.
This episode is hosted by Henry Lopez. The How of Business podcast focuses on helping you start, run, grow and exit your small business. The How of Business is a top-rated podcast for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Find the best podcast, small business coaching, resources and trusted service partners for small business owners and entrepreneurs at our website https://TheHowOfBusiness.com
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Welcome to the How of Business with your host, Henry Lopez, the podcast that helps you start, |
| 0:05.9 | run, and grow your small business. And now, here is your host. |
| 0:12.8 | Welcome to the Howell Business Podcast. This is Henry Lopez. If you're listening to this |
| 0:17.1 | podcast on Spotify, then I hope you've noticed the poll questions that are associated |
| 0:21.4 | with each episode. Your answer to these poll questions help me better understand the challenges |
| 0:26.2 | and priorities that matter most to you as you start and grow your small business. In this episode, |
| 0:31.5 | I'm going to share some selected poll results. Look at what you've told me are your biggest concerns, |
| 0:37.3 | things like avoiding |
| 0:38.1 | common mistakes, challenges with sales, borrowing money, using AI, building the right skills, |
| 0:43.8 | and breaking through growth plateaus. And I'll also share some additional thoughts and suggested |
| 0:49.4 | related episodes and resources to help you address these same challenges. You can find the Howa Business |
| 0:54.9 | resources, including the Show Notes page for this episode, and learn more about my one-on-one and |
| 0:59.9 | group coaching programs at the Howa Business.com. I also invite you to consider joining the Howa |
| 1:05.3 | Business community on Patreon. And please subscribe wherever you might be listening, so you don't |
| 1:10.3 | miss any new episodes. |
| 1:12.0 | So let's get right into it. The first poll question I selected was the one I asked related |
| 1:16.0 | to episode 574. That episode title is Five Reasons Your Business Will Fail. And the poll question |
| 1:22.6 | asked, which of the five common mistakes that lead to small business failures are you |
| 1:27.2 | most focused on avoiding? |
| 1:28.9 | And there was a tie for the top answer, poor marketing and doing it all myself. Those were the top |
| 1:34.9 | two failure reasons that the people who answered the poll question are focused on avoiding. |
| 1:40.7 | If we look at marketing, that one doesn't surprise me. I find that often small |
... |
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