The Most Overlooked Business Strategy for Small Growing Businesses: Wellbeing

In small, growing businesses, everyone wears multiple hats. The pace is intense, the expectations are high, and the lines between work and personal life often blur. Growth is exciting but it also brings pressure, uncertainty, and risk of burnout. In the midst of it all, when was the last time you and your team really checked in?

The Hidden Cost of Growth

Scaling a business is demanding. Long hours and mounting responsibilities can take a real toll, especially when teams are lean and roles overlap.

Mental health is often neglected, despite its clear impact on performance. In the UK, 80% of small business owners report poor mental health¹. In Ireland, a 2023 University of Limerick study found that owners and staff in micro-enterprises face significant stress yet supports remain limited or ad hoc.

Absenteeism, low morale, and reduced productivity are already costing small firms significantly – as outlined in the SFA’s article ‘Building Healthy Workplaces’. A wellbeing strategy, that is implemented, doesn’t just reduce these issues; it helps prevent them and builds stronger teams for the long term.

Three Ways to Put Wellbeing to Work

1. Set Boundaries and Share Responsibility
Growth doesn’t mean doing it all.
Encourage clear boundaries between work and personal time - in whatever way that works for individuals. Promote a culture where responsibility is shared, not hoarded. When leaders delegate with trust and clarity, others are empowered to step up confidently.

2. Prioritise Mental and Physical Health
Wellbeing drives productivity.
Normalise mental health conversations, encourage regular breaks, and build in time for movement. UCC research shows only 1 in 5 Irish employers invest in mental health initiatives—yet 64% report stress-related absenteeism². That gap costs businesses more than they realise.

3. Build Sustainable Workflows
Don’t let momentum override sustainability.
Break larger projects into manageable phases and use time-blocking to maximise focus. Make room for honest conversations about workload, capacity, and how to support each other, especially during busy periods.

Why It Matters

Wellbeing isn't a "nice-to-have" – it’s a strategic advantage. A focused, supported team is more resilient, engaged, and likely to stay. Better decisions, stronger collaboration, and long-term sustainability start with people who feel well.

Remember that leadership sets the tone. When balance, boundaries, and rest are valued at the top, they become part of your company culture.

Strong businesses are built by healthy teams. Start with wellbeing and build from there.

Your Next Step
Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish – it’s essential. If you’re part of a small business team, the best investment you can make is in the people who make it work.

[1] Mental Health UK & iwoca (2022)

[2] UCC and the Enterprise Research Centre (2023), surveying over 1,500 Irish businesses.

Further Resources:

• National Workplace Wellbeing Day – 30 April 2025
• Join SFA's 'Employee Health and Well-being Webinar' in partnership with Gewardz Health on Tuesday, 29 April.
• Join Donna Reilly People and Wellness for a free 30-minute session on ‘Wellbeing as a Business Strategy: Taking Care of You and Your Team’, as part of Ibec’s national workplace wellbeing initiative by registering here.

_

To connect with Donna Reilly People and Wellness for personalised guidance and business wellbeing strategies, please check www.donnareillywellness.ie or contact hello@donnareillywellness.ie.

LinkedIn @donnareillypeoplewellness | Facebook @donnareillywellness | Instagram @donnareillypeoplewellness | Tik Tok @donnareillyhrwellness