The dual pressures of being an entrepreneur and an employer — and how to deal with them

For many entrepreneurs, staff feels like a blessing and a responsibility. You are proud of your team and know that you cannot run your business without them. But when financial problems pile up, that pride turns into stress. You lie awake worrying about wages, fear layoffs and wonder: How do I keep this up?

In this blog you can read what you can do if your company has debts while you employ staff, and how you can create relief and clarity with the right help.

Why debts with staff feel extra heavy

Doing business with debt is tough. But doing business with debt and people on the payroll is even tougher. You feel responsible, not only for your own income, but also for that of your employees.

Typical stresses are:

• Salaries that you have to earn monthly
• Illness or absence in the team while you can barely handle the capacity
• Legal obligations such as pension, payroll tax or transition payments
• Fear of losing your team if you can't be honest about the situation

Many entrepreneurs try to keep everything going without asking for help — out of pride, shame or loyalty. But then the situation often quickly deteriorates.

What not to do: keep silent and procrastinate

When debts mount up and you keep your staff employed, risks arise:

• You're coming structural deficit in cash flow
• Je no longer borrow or pay yourself to cover wages
• You postpone payments to the tax authorities or suppliers
• Je gets burned out himself or loses the overview

Well-intentioned, but disastrous for the continuity of your company and your own health.

What can you do?

1. Make everything transparent: cash flow, outstanding debts, obligations
   Without an overview it is impossible to manage.
2. Talk to a financial specialist or debt counselor
   You don't have to solve it alone. With guidance you often see more possibilities.
3. Be transparent with staff if it is responsible to do so
   Honesty creates understanding and prevents mistrust or turnover.
4. Investigate whether restructuring or restarting is possible
   Sometimes a different form of entrepreneurship is the only way to retain your team.

What Zuidweg & Partners can do for you

We support entrepreneurs with staff who are in financial difficulty. Whether you are still fully operational or are considering stopping, we will look with you — without judgement, with a concrete plan.

What we do:

• We analyze your debts and obligations
• We will map out your personnel costs and options together with you
• We assist you in making fair agreements with creditors
• We are investigating whether a restart, temporary downsizing or debt settlement is possible
• We help you to create peace and perspective again — for you and your team

Take care of your team — but don't forget yourself

Loyalty to your staff is admirable. But to be there for them, you must first take care of yourself. Debt counselling is not a sign of weakness, it is leadership in action. Especially in difficult times.

Do you recognize yourself?

Do you recognize yourself in (part of) this situation and do you no longer want to walk around with worries? We are ready to help you. Do not wait until the problems increase and take control of your financial future today. Click on the button 'Apply for debt assistance now' and take the first important step towards peace and security for you and your company.