As January progresses, many business owners find themselves in familiar territory, running on empty.
While the start of a new year is often framed as a time of optimism and fresh goals, for SME owner managers it can be one of the most isolating and mentally demanding periods of the year. The pressure of financial decisions, responsibility for staff, and uncertainty about the months ahead often collide just as energy levels are at their lowest.
That is why we are supporting Brew Monday this January but with a focus on business owners.
The hidden loneliness of running a business
Loneliness is rarely associated with business ownership. From the outside, owners are seen as independent, confident, and in control. In reality, many carry a significant emotional and mental load largely on their own.
Unlike employees, business owners often feel they have limited spaces to talk openly about uncertainty, stress, or self-doubt. Concerns about cash flow, staffing, or the future of the business can’t always be shared with employees, and family members may not fully understand the weight of responsibility involved.
Over time, this can lead to isolation, not because owners lack people around them, but because they lack places where they feel able to speak honestly.
January: a particularly difficult time
January can amplify these feelings.
“After the intensity of ending another year, many owners start January already tired. The expectation to feel motivated and focused can create additional pressure when the reality is quite different. For some, the year ahead feels heavy rather than exciting.” Said Managing Partner – Richard Hallsworth
“This combination of fatigue, responsibility, and isolation is something we see and hear regularly in conversations with SME owners.”
Why Brew Monday matters
Brew Monday is an awareness day led by the Samaritans that encourages people to pause, make time for a brew, and start a conversation. It is simple by design and that simplicity is what makes it powerful.
For business owners, a conversation won’t remove responsibility or solve every challenge. But being heard, having space to reflect, and realising you are not alone can make a significant difference.
Brew Monday creates a natural opportunity to normalise these conversations particularly those that often go unspoken in business settings.
Creating space for conversation, not judgement
Our decision to support Brew Monday is rooted in a belief that running a business should not feel relentlessly heavy.
We want to help create space where business owners can talk openly about the realities of ownership the pressure, the fatigue, and the emotional load without fear of judgement or expectation to have all the answers.
This is not about labelling business ownership as negative, nor about promoting quick fixes. It is about acknowledging that behind many successful businesses are individuals who have been carrying a great deal for a long time.
A quieter, more sustainable approach to business
Loneliness and burnout in business rarely announce themselves loudly. More often, they show up quietly through constant coping, reduced clarity, and a sense that everything feels harder than it should.
By supporting Brew Monday, we hope to encourage SME owners to pause, reflect, and reach out whether that’s to a peer, a trusted advisor, or someone who understands the realities of running a business.
Because sometimes, the most important step isn’t doing more, it’s having a conversation.
Running a business doesn’t need to feel heavy.
Call in for a brew and let’s have a conversation.