Why Some Business Owners Avoid Change: Insights from Consultations

As a consultant who specializes in helping small business owners enhance their presence on platforms like Instagram, I’ve often found myself in an unexpected role—essentially functioning as a therapist rather than a strategist.

Many clients approach me with the same goals: they want to see increased engagement, improved reach, and significant growth. I genuinely enjoy these discussions, and I’m thrilled when clients take my advice seriously and implement changes. For those who do, it can be a transformative experience.

However, I’ve noticed a troubling trend—many clients fail to implement any recommendations after our consultations. Despite diving deep into essential topics like brand clarity, messaging, content strategy, and ways to connect with their audience, the follow-through simply isn’t there. Instead of taking actionable steps, it feels as though they’ve paid just to vent about their frustrations.

This leaves me pondering: why make the investment in professional guidance if you’re not willing to apply it? For me, if I were at the helm of a business, my commitment would be unwavering. Understanding my customer’s needs and desires would be my top priority, as that’s where the revenue flows from.

So, I’m compelled to ask—what prevents business owners from fully utilizing the help they seek? Is it common for professionals in my position to encounter this, or am I simply engaging with a unique subset of clients?

In sharing this, I hope to spark a dialogue around the importance of accountability and the willingness to adapt in business. After all, growth requires action, and every consult should ideally lead to meaningful change.