Hey business owner – you are a punk!

I grew up in the 70’s with the radio streaming endless loops of Beatles, Stones and Zep (all great songs so no complaints here!).   But as 1980 rolled around a friend shared a tape (yeah – a mixed cassette tape) of English punk music – the Clash, Sham 69, Pistols and the like – but also on that tape and much more impactful, local punk bands made up of regular kids not much older than me.   These kids made their own records and made their own magazines/fanzines and booked their own shows at dive bars, community centers and American Legions.  They did it their way – independently and with true conviction.

Years later when I started my own business it occurred to me that the punk ethic (and I’ll date this ethic to the time before it hit the mainstream) has a ton in common with running a small business.   Back in that era (and maybe still – I’m too old to know what’s going on now) the punk scene embodied resilience, creativity, and a whole lot of hard work.

What are the parallels between that punk ethos and SMBs?

DIY – Do-it-yourself.

In the punk world, if you want a record, you make it yourself. If you want a gig, you find a dive bar and make it happen. Small business owners operate the same way. You wear all the hats: accountant, marketer, customer service rep, and even janitor. Nobody’s handing you a manual – you’re creating your own thing and doing it your way.

Hard Work and the Daily Grind

Punk bands are notorious for their grind. Touring in beat-up vans, selling merchandise out of the trunk, and playing gigs for gas (or beer) money.  As a small business owner, you’re constantly hustling to make ends meet and get your name out there. Every sale, every customer, every review feels like a hard-earned victory.

Challenging the Status Quo

Punk rock when I was a kid was a rebellion against the excesses of the arena rock dinosaurs and noodling hippie scene —going against the grain and sticking it to the man. Small business owners? Same energy. You’re taking on the big-box stores and corporate giants, offering something unique and personal that they can’t replicate. You’re proving that passion and individuality still have a place in the market.

Learning As You Go

Most punk bands don’t start out as polished performers. They pick up instruments, learn a few chords (if even that), and figure it out along the way. Running a small business is no different. You’ll make mistakes, improvise, and sometimes screw up—but you’ll keep going, because that’s what punk rock (and business ownership) is all about.

Being a small business owner is punk rock at its core. It’s about grit, creativity, and a relentless drive to do things your way. So the next time you’re grinding through another long day, just remember: you’re not just a business owner—you’re living the punk rock dream.

Want to protect that dream?   Reach out to us – happy to share some (not all) stories from the old punk days but also eager to help you insure your business.   Workers’ Comp, Business Owner Policies and General Liability conversations are NOT punk but protecting your business is pretty awesome…..

sheldon@policybinder.com