I survived my first year as an Entrepreneur in a pandemic.
Despite the plot twist Covid dropped in our lives in 2020, somehow I made it. I learned so much about myself, my business and Entrepreneurship.
Background…
My backstory is that I spent 20 years working In banking, finance and financial crimes. The only “real” job I have ever known. My mom helped me get a after school job working in checking processing in the basement of a small local bank in Minneapolis. I was just 17 years old, but I was bright, determined and capable. I found myself catching on to terms, processes and procedures relatively quickly. My senior colleagues affectionately nicknamed me “whiz kid”. That name stuck with me, as i became the youngest person in the department to be promoted to leadership. At 19, I was the Lead of my department, handling attendance, scheduling, delegating work and balancing & overseeing work flow.
Not enough — I want more.
I always had the thirst for more. To learn more, grow more and do more. In my spirit I knew I was destined for greater, which is why and how I quickly climbed the corporate ladder. Ultimately, landing in a high ranking financial crimes group of a Fortune 500 financial institution. Even still, I was miserable. I realized that I could learn anything , I could be taught anything and become proficient at anything that I focused on and dedicated myself to mastering. But even still , I found that being good at a job doesn’t give you fulfillment or satisfy your purpose or personal goals and objectives. For me climbing the corporate ladder was a dead end street, because I wasn’t operating in a space of complete happiness. Learning to be good at a job is a result of time and effort. However being happy and waking up satisfied is a matter or purpose and direction.
In 2016, my father died suddenly of pancreatic cancer. Shortly after in 2019, my mom suffered two strokes. Two life changing events that led me to finally find the strength to walk away from corporate world. After 20+ years of working my way up the proverbial corporate ladder I finally had time away long enough to know enough is enough. The career did present me with the ability tin learn & obtain some invaluable skills that will forever make me a better person and a highly sought after professional.
Trusted Adviser and mentor
The transition to entrepreneurship was not instantaneous. In fact I struggled with letting go of the comforts of a steady paycheck, benefits and a retirement account. To shake the imbedded mindset focus that I was leaving a sure thing for pure uncertainty — was so scary! It took me weeks to months to actually quit the job. I confided in a trusted mentor, advisor and friend with whom herself is a successful entrepreneur. I had watched her transition from corporate and follow her dreams and it lead her to a very lucrative business and future. She encouraged me and ultimately helped me rip the band aid off.
I walked away...
Now what?
In 2020, I decided it was time to create everything I spent years envisioning as a employee. I started my LLC. Filed my registrations, requested trademarks and began making connections and building relationships. Monetizing my business first by becoming a contractor/consultant. I went back to school to study to become a Real Estate Agent. I began making plans for my empowerment platform and programs.
Then… BOOM! Covid hit.
Learning to pivot is a lesson I learned year one as an Entrepreneur in a pandemic. Learn to create avenues with multiple streams, potentials and avenues to create income/revenue. If you depend on one source of income, you’ll drown.
I spent most of 2020, writing, creating, reading, learning, studying and preparing for more. I invested so much time into seminars, workshops, online courses, books, podcasts and YouTube videos — that I was setting myself up to build and create more for myself and my businesses. You could say, I was trying to make the best out of the circumstances we were all dealt when covid-19 hit.
Sometimes the setback is actually the setup.
This year, 2021 I am in full execution mode. Launch mode. Action mode. The pandemic slowed me down enough to absorb and prepare & also taught me how to be strong and pivot. I learned that being able to adapt and adopt a new way quickly is a must for successful entrepreneurs.
Sometimes dead ends are simply ways to reroute you to your goal. Yes — the pandemic impacted me hugely not just starting my business, but emotionally, socially and having to become a full time teacher to my three younger children. But with that came Strength, perseverance & strong belief system that got me to see the bigger picture.
Now — I’m setting myself up for the next level. Being an Entrepreneur means you have to keep reimagining your business and thinking of ways to grow it.
Survival is not guaranteed
I learned this year — Entrepreneurialism is not for the weak. You have to have tough skin to make it in this environment. You have to believe in yourself, your ideas and often you are the only one bringing it to life and working all aspects of your business. Marketing, customer service, management and so on. You will wear many hats in this business. It will be tiring. You will work long hours but it’ll be worth it if you’re consistent. Nothing worth having comes easy — just remember that on the tough days. Keep going & surround yourself with people who want to see you win and who are in the same direction you want to go.
My first official year as a Entrepreneur has taught me…
As long as you don’t give up — you’re making strides towards success each day. Wake up everyday with a plan to work on your business and work even harder in your business. You are your own boss, whether you win or lose is in Entrepreneurship is largely dependent on how much you’re willing to put in. Effort equals progress.
