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.
- Evaluate why
you want to work, and schedule your working goals appropriately.
- Be comfortable
with your definition of success, and don’t worry about how others define
success.
- Look at your
calendar and schedule your work appropriately.
- Work when you
say you’re going to work. Don’t check email or do other work-related tasks while
family needs you.
- 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.
***
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
