Robert Lit-Meng Tang

Leading a Small Team? Some of Our Most Challenging Staff Stories.

Running a small business is deeply personal. It’s born from passion, fueled by purpose, and guided by the hope of building something meaningful — not just for ourselves, but for others. Along the way, we’ve tried to lead with empathy, offer opportunities, and create a supportive environment for growth.

But through a series of difficult experiences, we’ve come to a simple yet powerful realization: it’s perfectly okay not to have staff at all. Sometimes the best path for an entrepreneur is to step back from managing a team and return to running their business solo — as a solopreneur. Or in our case, a duopreneur!

By focusing on what we love most — teaching, connecting, and inspiring others — and using technology to streamline operations, we can build a business that feels true and manageable.

This isn’t about giving up; it’s about clarity and freedom to define success on your own terms. If you’re feeling the pressure to grow bigger when your heart says otherwise, know that you’re not alone. And that’s okay. 💛

If you’re a fellow entrepreneur or solopreneur, you might recognize the challenges and lessons behind these real-life staff stories from our own journey. 😅

🚩 1. Surprise Real Estate Transaction… at the Office?!

One staff member casually brought a real estate agent into our office — not for us, but for their own personal property deal. No heads-up. No permission. Just turned our workspace into a private deal room.

📧 2. Side Hustle in Our Space

Another staffer decided to create an email account for their other part-time job and started sending mass communications — during our office hours, from our office space. Dual employment is fine, but boundaries, anyone?

🕒 3. The Vanishing Act

Imagine someone clocking in, working for 15 minutes, and then… disappearing. For hours. No explanation, no message. Just gone. Houdini, is that you?

📱 4. Teaching… From a Chair (and a Phone)

While co-teaching a class, a junior instructor literally sat down mid-lesson and started texting. In full view of students. We thought we were running a school, not a lounge.

🔑 5. Key-Keeping Chaos

One instructor went out of town for the weekend — and took our office’s front door key with them. When asked to return it before the Monday morning open, they responded, “I’ll bring it next week.” We had to go to them to retrieve it, just to open our own business on time.

⚠️ 6. A Case of Commitment Gone Quiet

In two separate cases, staff members had asked for the opportunity to teach at our studio. We believed in giving people a chance. But after being scheduled, both began missing assigned lessons — repeatedly and without notice.

Later, we learned that one was struggling with mental health challenges, and the other with issues related to alcoholism. While their behavior caused disruption and confusion for students and staff, these situations also reminded us how important it is to approach people with both accountability and compassion when personal struggles are involved.

❤️ A Note on Mental Health

As stressful as it was in the moment, we also recognize the importance of compassion and support during difficult times. Mental health matters.

💸 7. Compassion vs. Accountability

An instructor asked for a month’s pay advance to cover unexpected bills. Wanting to help, we agreed.

But shortly after, they missed a scheduled lesson — no notice, no explanation. Students were left waiting.

As hard as it was, we had to let them go. Compassion matters, but so does showing up.

Why Share This?
Because if you’ve ever felt like you’re the only one facing the unexpected, unexplainable, and sometimes unbelievable moments of managing a team — you’re not alone. 🙃

Got a wild (or wise) story of your own? We’d love to hear it. Share it in the comments or tag us in your own #BusinessHorrorStories.

You survived Monday. You’ve got this. 💪