Time-poor, dream-rich: How entrepreneurs are battling the clock     – London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com

Small business owners and solopreneurs are the driving force behind the UK’s economy, fueling innovation and strengthening local communities.

Yet, the pursuit of entrepreneurial success often comes with significant personal trade-offs. According to new research from Adobe, 42% of solopreneurs struggle to find time for content creation — a vital component of growing their business — while 39% cite time constraints as the biggest hurdle in promoting their ventures.

For working parents, the pressures are even greater, with more than a quarter (26%) admitting to missing important family moments “many times” due to work demands. These findings highlight the delicate balancing act solopreneurs face as they strive to turn their dreams into reality while managing the challenges of daily life.

Tech is the solution, simplifying success and saving time

To address these challenges, Adobe Express provides small business owners and solopreneurs with purpose-built tools to save time, reduce complexity, and enhance creativity. From ready-to-use templates to AI-powered design features, the platform empowers entrepreneurs to produce professional-quality content quickly and efficiently, even on a tight schedule.

Its mobile-friendly functionality ensures users can create and manage content wherever they are—whether between meetings, during a lunch break, or after bedtime routines. And because Adobe Express features powered by Firefly generative AI are designed to be commercially safe, even the smallest business can create and publish content with confidence.

“Solopreneurs and small business owners are at the heart of innovation and creativity, but their challenges are undeniable,” said Claire Darley, VP, Digital Media at Adobe. “Adobe Express is designed to give them the tools they need to stand out, simplify content creation, and focus on building their businesses, all while making time for what matters most.”

Missing moments: The family sacrifices behind business success

Small business owners and solopreneurs face relentless demands on their time, with critical tasks like marketing and content creation often squeezed into evenings and weekends.

On average, these business owners dedicate 5.5 hours per week to these activities, with 36% spending 1–5 hours and 19% committing 6–10 hours, often at the expense of family and personal life. For working parents, the sacrifices are even more pronounced. 44% admit to missing family events “a few times,” and 9% regularly engage in work tasks during family activities, blurring the boundaries between professional and personal time.

Despite these challenges, many small business owners and their solopreneur counterparts strive to maintain balance, with 70% prioritising non-negotiables like weekend outings (36%) and dinnertime (30%) as essential for their well-being. These moments of intentional connection highlight the ongoing effort and desire to preserve personal fulfillment while building successful businesses.

Marketing on borrowed time: Why entrepreneurs struggle to keep up

Promoting a business in today’s fast-paced digital landscape presents significant challenges for business owners, who often find themselves stretched thin. Nearly 43% of small business owners and solopreneurs struggle to reach the right audience, while 36% cite difficulty staying consistent with content creation — a vital factor in maintaining visibility and engagement. The competitive nature of the market adds to the pressure, with 33% feeling the need to differentiate their brand and 36% grappling with budget constraints that limit their marketing potential.

Content creation remains one of the most persistent pain points, as 42% of small business owners and solopreneurs lack the time to prioritise it, despite its importance for business growth. Additionally, 27% face challenges finding inspiration, and 24% highlight the difficulty of accessing professional-grade design tools. These hurdles underline the complex balancing act smaller companies face as they work to keep their businesses thriving while managing limited resources and demanding schedules.

The tools small businesses need desperately to thrive

Running a business often feels like a race against time, and small business owners and solopreneurs are clear about what would help them succeed: tools that save time and reduce complexity. 38% of small business owners point to ready-to-use templates as transformative for creating professional-grade content quickly and efficiently, while 35% highlight the need for user-friendly design platforms tailored to their unique demands. These tools aren’t just conveniences — they’re essential lifelines.

Mobility has become equally critical in today’s fast-paced world. Half of small business owners and solopreneurs want mobile-friendly solutions that allow them to create and manage content on the go, and 29% are turning to AI-powered tools to simplify and accelerate their creative processes. Additionally, 34% see AI-generated design suggestions as a way to combine efficiency with creativity, freeing up time to focus on the heart of their business. These insights underline the growing need for intuitive, accessible, and powerful tools that can empower these business owners to overcome obstacles and thrive in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

“I started Kai Collective to have the freedom to bring my vision to life, drawing inspiration from my travels and my love for collecting unique fabrics. Running a fashion business means juggling many roles, and finding tools that save time without compromising creativity is essential. Adobe Express has been a lifesaver for me — it allows me to create beautiful, professional-quality visuals quickly, whether I’m designing social media content or putting together a lookbook. Its mobile-friendly features mean I can work on the go, making it easier to manage my business and still have time to focus on what truly inspires me,” said Fisyao Longe, founder of Kai Collective.

Balancing bedtime stories with business goals

Amid the relentless demands of entrepreneurship, small business owners and solopreneurs are proving that maintaining balance is not just a priority — it’s a necessity. Despite packed schedules, 70% of these business owners actively protect “non-negotiables” to maintain a sense of balance, with 36% prioritising weekend outings and 30% safeguarding dinnertime as key moments of connection. These small but significant acts of self-care and family time underscore their determination to find harmony in a demanding lifestyle.

Other cherished routines, such as bedtime stories (27%), school activities (16%), and personal breaks (29%), highlight the importance of staying grounded amidst the pressures of business ownership. These intentional choices reflect a commitment to personal well-being and relationships, proving that solopreneurs are finding ways to blend ambition with life’s most meaningful moments, demonstrating that success can coexist with balance.