Ain’t Misbehavin’ and the Small Business Owner’s Song

I was thinking yesterday about my late Dad (as it was 17 years, and a few day, since is passed away).  One of my abinding memories was a song that he used to sing, and was played at his funeral and it got me to thinking.

Running a small business is a lot like singing a jazz standard: sometimes smooth, sometimes offbeat, but always from the heart. “Ain’t Misbehavin’” might sound like a love song from the 1920s, but if you listen closely, it’s basically the unofficial anthem for small traders everywhere. You work alone, you stay loyal to your dream, and even when the world seems to be out partying, you’re at home doing the books. Here’s how this classic tune lines up with the daily grind of being your own boss.

The timeless tune that keeps us company

If you’ve ever heard Ain’t Misbehavin’, you’ll know it’s all about loyalty. The singer’s saying, “I could be out doing all sorts, but I’m staying faithful. I’ve chosen my one true love, and I don’t need anyone else.”  If you haven’t heard it, there’s a YouTube video here (lasts for 2m 46s).

Swap out the romantic partner for your small business and suddenly, you’ve got the theme tune for self-employment.

Because let’s be honest:

• While everyone else is down the pub on a Friday night, you’re still answering emails.

• Saturday morning? You’re in the shop before the shutters are up, rearranging stock that only you care about.

• Sunday afternoon? “Day off”? Yeah, right. That’s when the accounts finally get done.

You’re not misbehavin’. You’re staying loyal. Faithful. Totally committed to your business. It’s a love story… just one with invoices.

“Ain’t misbehavin’, savin’ my love for you”

That one line alone could be sung by any small trader.

You could be out there, flitting between hobbies, jobs, or even employers. But no – you’ve picked this life. You’re staying faithful to your business idea, your customers, and your future. Even when:

• Temptation calls. A shiny new side hustle, a tempting job offer, or a 9–5 with an actual pension might whisper in your ear.

• Distractions loom. Netflix is suggesting “just one more episode” but you’ve got stock to check.

• Everyone else is out. You’re not. You’re “saving your love” for spreadsheets, stocktakes, and supplier phone calls.

The tune’s about devotion – and if small business owners are anything, it’s devoted.

Running your own business: jazz or chaos?

Jazz, like small business life, can look a bit chaotic from the outside. The beat skips around, the notes wander, and sometimes it feels like everyone’s making it up as they go. (Spoiler: they usually are.)

Sound familiar? Of course it does. That’s the daily soundtrack of self-employment:

• Improvisation. The courier’s lost a parcel, your website’s gone down, and you’re suddenly out of milk. No plan in the world covers all that – you just riff your way through.

• Syncopation. Everyone else works 9–5. You? Midnight, Sunday mornings, bank holidays. Your rhythm’s a little… off.

• Solos. Unlike in a band, you don’t get to hand the spotlight to someone else. You’re always centre stage.

But here’s the thing: jazz only works because the musician loves it. And your small business only works because you love it too.

The loneliness of “one true love”

The song’s all about not straying. That’s touching, sure, but it also means the singer’s alone while everyone else is out having a laugh.

Sound familiar? Small business owners are the masters of FOMO (fear of missing out).

• Your mates are on holiday. You’re still in the shop, counting stock.

• Family wants a BBQ. You’ve got orders to pack.

• Everyone’s bingeing telly. You’re updating your social media page (and wondering if anyone even sees it).

It’s not glamorous, but it’s faithful. You chose this life, and like the song says, you’re not misbehavin’. You’re putting everything into that one true love – your business.

The punchline life of a small trader

Of course, you’ve got to laugh. If you don’t, you’ll cry. So here are a few tongue-in-cheek comparisons:

• “Don’t go nowhere, what do I care?” — Sure, except you can’t afford to go anywhere because all your money’s tied up in stock.

• “Your kisses are worth waiting for.” — In business terms, this translates to “your invoices might get paid one day.”

• “What do I care, your kisses are worth waiting for” — Replace “kisses” with “customers actually leaving a Google review” and it makes perfect sense.

Running a small business is basically a comedy sketch nobody else rehearsed for.

Customers: the applause at the end of the song

Jazz musicians live for applause. Small business owners live for that one customer who says: “Thanks, this is brilliant.”

Because let’s face it:

• For every kind word, there are ten awkward silences when you hand someone the bill.

• For every loyal customer, there are dozens who “just want to have a look.”

• For every glowing review, there’s that one person who complains the delivery took 25 hours instead of 24.

But when someone claps, sings along, or even just smiles? That’s the moment that makes all the late nights and dodgy instant noodles worth it.

Why this song sticks

You might wonder why Ain’t Misbehavin’ is such a perfect anthem for small traders. It’s because it taps into that feeling of loyalty. Devotion. Sticking with something even when it’s hard.

• Waiting for love – or in our case, waiting for customers.

• It’s about focus. Not wandering off into other distractions.

• It’s about pride. Being able to say: “This is where I’ve chosen to be.”