Real Life, Entrepreneurship and Success

When I think of my dreams, I think of owning my own business. Deep within me has always rested an entrepreneurial mindset. That’s probably why the first reason I like being self-employed is because I like personal growth. To me, owning a business is the best way I can grow and become the best I can be.

It can be a thrilling experience, and it isn’t easy. Today, I’ve been a business owner longer than I ever worked for someone else. I’ve learned so much about what makes a successful woman entrepreneur and the realities of entrepreneurship. Here are a few I’d like to share with you. 

Focus on Your Strengths, Know Your Weaknesses
The best-chosen jobs are those that maximize our strengths. Your business should be a place where your gifts and talents can shine, because that’s critical to your success and professional satisfaction.

Over the years, I’ve learned to do so many new business-building activities and the learning empowered me. I had to learn to set up my email, direct sales techniques, product knowledge and fit, fashion trends, how to close a sale and place orders. I’ve found my strengths in business and they motivate me: I enjoy building relationships, making connections, and establishing trust and loyalty. I truly love connecting with other women. Though I’ve always been attracted to self-growth and I always wanted to own my own business, I’m still learning time management. Though my strengths paint my canvas, there are aspects of the job that make me aware of my weaknesses. Time management will always be on that list, and being aware of it helps me to improve how I address it.

I truly believe business owners can only be happy at work—and thrive! —if they have chosen a field that uses their strengths to achieve success. Rather than say more about your strengths here, I’ll refer you to a previous post, which includes a link to the Strengths Finder test. 

Acknowledge Your Why
If you are a business owner or think about becoming one, it is important to acknowledge your “why”: Why do you work? Why own your business? There can be countless reasons and we are all motivated by different goals. It is important to know your “why” because it helps you to set priorities.

One amazing aspect of owning my business is that I can still stay in business when my “why” changes. It is important to realize that life will change and you’ll need to change your expectations with that. As a woman with various roles in life (for me they include wife and mother), you can adjust how much you work based on family needs, life circumstances and the time you have available. My own “why” changed when my husband lost his job, and then again when he returned to work. It has changed based on the ages and needs of our children, school hours and summer vacations. I have cranked my business up high and then dropped down low.  

I have control of my business, as long as I keep my priorities in order. 

Through it all, my business stays “open” and I direct how, when and why I work. 

Set, and Stick to, Your Priorities
When you’re working from home, it is critical to keep your priorities straight. This is one of those areas I have to keep revisiting. Either I stray off track or life is interrupted by unexpected changes, and I need to re-commit myself to my “why” and my priorities. If I don’t set my priorities, the business takes over and I’m mentally and emotionally exhausted. 

Entrepreneurship can easily be a full-time endeavor. If working part-time is your mantra, it can be done. Both require you to stick to your priorities. Even if your calendar says you only host 1-2 parties a week, so you’re only out of the house for 2 work events, consider all the extra hours in the background that take you away from your family. Plan your time well and discipline yourself to stick to the plan. Find a plan that fits YOU; not what someone else thinks you should do, or based on a number of working hours that makes you feel “important”. Make sure your priorities reflect your time at work, so everyone, including your business, thrives. There have been times when I could increase my working hours within the boundaries of priorities, and other times when I needed to let someone else take the business opportunity. 

In Closing
Balance your why, your strengths and your priorities and your business will thrive. Your life will thrive because you are building something that radiates “you”. Feeling successful in all aspects of life is truly a great way to live.

Schedule the amount of work that fits with your true personal goals and what your life, and your family life, can handle and thrive within. Keep your business in BALANCE so it doesn’t take over and create stress, but rather, provides HARMONY.

1. Evaluate why you want to work, and schedule your working goals appropriately.
2. Be comfortable with your definition of success, and don’t worry about how others define success.
3. Look at your calendar and schedule your work appropriately.
4. Work when you say you’re going to work. Don’t check email or do other work-related tasks while family needs you.
5. Start over when you stray from the plan. Every day, every moment is the opportunity for a fresh start. If you find yourself off-track, the moment to fix that is the present moment.

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Take an investment in who you are and what you want. Because you’re self employed, you get to pick your own benefits! Choose the benefits that add value to your life and let the others go.
  

We need to be open with our minds, soft with our hearts and humble with our will. If we can do that, I am confident that God will give us a way that puts everything into place.

It’s all a part of personal growth, my favorite part of self-employment. My years as an entrepreneur have been adventurous, and I’ve found a level of success I always hoped to achieve. If it’s right for you, I hope you’ll take on this multi-faceted and exciting opportunity. 

--Keri