Hot take: I think the 'hustle culture' advice is mostly bad for small shops

I was at a local business meetup in Denver last month, and this guy Mark kept telling everyone they needed to work 80 hour weeks to 'make it'. He runs a marketing firm. I told him my bakery has been solid for 8 years because I work 40 hours and focus on my 3 best-selling items. He said I was leaving money on the table. But I have a life and my staff is happy. Has anyone else built a steady business without the crazy grind?

3 comments

3 Comments

verar211mo ago

That grind mindset can actually burn out your best employees first, which costs way more than any extra hours would make.

kim3731mo ago

Wait, "costs way more than any extra hours would make"? I mean, do companies actually think the extra hours are making them money? That's wild.

oscarb771mo ago

Exactly. @verar21 is right about burnout costs. I've seen it happen. A good employee leaves from being overworked, and you lose all their knowledge. Then you spend months and real money just to train someone new to half their skill level.