Survey Reveals Biggest Challenges Small Business Owners Face In Their Early Days

Starting a business often comes with high hopes and even higher workloads — and for many entrepreneurs, the early years are defined by hard lessons, long hours and steep learning curves.

A new survey of 1,000 small business owners (SBOs) and freelancers, conducted by Talker Research on behalf of HP for its Instant Ink service, sheds light on the top challenges business owners face at the beginning of their journey. Chief among them? Financial surprises. Over a third (36%) of respondents admitted they underestimated startup costs and struggled to maintain consistent cash flow in the early stages.

Marketing shortfalls were the next most-cited issue, with 29% of owners saying they wished theyd done more to promote their business. Meanwhile, 27% said maintaining a healthy work-life balance proved to be a significant obstacle.

Time, it seems, is both the most precious and most scarce resource for new entrepreneurs. The average SBO reported working over 50 hours per week to get their business off the ground, and nearly a quarter said they regularly clocked 60 hours or more. Despite the strain, most took on the equivalent of three full-time roles — covering everything from sales and customer service to operations.

The survey highlighted the value of community and partnerships. A striking 79% of respondents said their network of vendors and partners played a crucial role in their success — more so, in fact, than having adequate cash flow (76% vs. 64%). Yet not all experiences with vendors were positive; 38% reported being let down by a partner in a way that significantly impacted their business.

“Having a trusted tech partner is essential for small business owners,” said Diana Sroka, SVP of consumer services product for HP. “With limited time and budget, it’s important to find solutions that are smart, flexible and adaptable to the unique needs of each business.”

Despite the struggles, many SBOs saw value in the adversity. Forty-one percent said they wouldnt change anything about their journey, crediting the tough moments for helping them grow more resilient and better equipped to handle future challenges.

When asked what resource was most indispensable, respondents overwhelmingly cited their own creativity. For many, that inner drive proved more valuable than any external tool.

“In the unpredictable world of entrepreneurship, the importance of strong partnerships – especially with a reliable tech partner – cannot be overstated,” Sroka said. “Too many small business owners face setbacks due to broken trust, missed expectations and technology failures. Building a strong tech partnership is crucial to keeping business moving forward in a constantly evolving landscape.”

As the business landscape continues to evolve, the survey highlights a key takeaway: success often hinges as much on relationships and resourcefulness as on capital.