By Eddie Mugulusi
Why Every Small Business Faces Highs, Hangovers, and the Grind
Starting a small business is exciting. The first sale feels like winning the lottery. The compliments, the support, the social media likes—it’s intoxicating. But here’s the truth no one tells you: every small business goes through three unavoidable phases.
I call it The High-Hangover Cycle.
- The High – thrilling but temporary.
- The Hangover – painful but real.
- The Grind – hard, unsexy, but the only way forward.
Understanding these stages is the difference between building a sustainable business and quietly closing shop.
Phase 1: The High – The Sweet Beginning
You’ve launched your product. You’ve made your first sale. It might only be ten dollars, but the rush feels priceless.
I know that feeling. Back when I was in manufacturing, I made 20k on a product and walked around like I was Jeff Bezos’ next-door neighbor. That was my high.
During this stage:
- Your energy is endless.
- Every compliment feels like proof you’re destined for success.
- You look at your small kiosk or shop and see an empire in the making.
But here’s the catch: the high never lasts.
Phase 2: The Hangover – When Reality Hits
The hangover comes fast. Suddenly:
- Rent is due, and Instagram likes won’t pay it.
- Facebook ads are boosting Mark Zuckerberg’s pocket, not yours.
- Friends who came to “support” end up drinking your soda, taking selfies, and buying… nothing.
This is the painful awakening. Excitement doesn’t pay suppliers. Excitement doesn’t bring customers back. Excitement doesn’t keep the lights on.
Welcome to the small business hangover.
Phase 3: The Grind – Where Most Businesses Die
If you push through the hangover, you’ll meet the grind—the hardest, longest, and most important stage of business growth.
This is where:
- Long hours replace the early buzz.
- Customers become harder to win and keep.
- Competitors start eating into your space.
- The work stops feeling magical and starts feeling heavy.
I learned this the hard way in my juice business. At first, sales skyrocketed—everyone wanted to try us. I thought I had struck gold. I even dreamed of franchises and delivery trucks.
But curiosity wore off. Customers went back to their favorite brands. That’s when I realized: curiosity isn’t loyalty. The high was over. The grind had begun.
What Entrepreneurs in Uganda (and Everywhere) Must Know
If you’re building a business in Uganda—or anywhere—the High-Hangover Cycle is unavoidable. Every entrepreneur faces it. The question is: will you survive it?
- Don’t let the high trick you into thinking you’ve made it.
- Don’t let the hangover discourage you into quitting.
- Don’t underestimate the grind—it’s the only path to long-term success.
Business isn’t a joyride. It’s more like a marathon where you’re the runner, the water-boy, the coach, and the cheerleader.
Final Thoughts: How to Survive the Business Hangover
If you’re launching a new venture, remember:
- The high is fun. Enjoy it, but don’t get lost in it.
- The hangover is painful. Accept it, because it’s part of growth.
- The grind is tough. But if you survive it, your business has a real chance at success.
That’s how small businesses in Uganda—and everywhere else—turn into lasting companies.
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