I just took my first ski runs of the season before work this morning. While I was riding the chair lift I was pondering skiing as an analogy to running a small business (and life in general). There are many skiing challenges and there are many small business challenges.
Skiing, as with business, is cyclical in nature. You take a run down the mountain and then regroup and ride the lift back up. Then repeat. Each run can be as exhilarating or challenging as you want to make it. There may be moments of bliss or failures, small or epic. Each run (or day) you are improving and learning – repeating the cycle for the challenge, the fun, and the exercise.
There are many reasons people choose running a small business… or to hit the slopes. We do it knowing there is always a chance of failure or serious injury. There will always be ups and downs and in the end it is our attitude and perseverance that determines whether we grow and improve, crash and burn, or just plod along playing it safe. This is similar to small business challenges.
Whatever your sport, or your business, here’s to hoping you find a balance of risks and rewards while continuing to improve, and enjoy the ride. If it’s not fun, challenging, or good exercise it’s probably time for a new sport… or a new job. This weekend I’ll do more laps up on the Mountain – scoping out optimum lines and trying to stay on my feet. Monday, I’ll be back at work, doing the same, trying to keep up with the ever changing conditions, avoiding the obstacles and finding the things that make doing this job and living this life rewarding and fun.
It is important for Jeff and his staff at Websticker to ski as much as possible to test custom sticker products in winter conditions and do field research on what promotional stickers are being displayed on helmets, snowboards and skis;)
Jeff Nicholson is the founder and Creative Director at 
