I am totally new to the world of business as well as all of the new technologies that can be used to promote businesses today. I do have a personal Facebook page that I occasionally visit and I also have a Twitter page that is primarily for the business. Blogging has been around for a while and though I do subscribe and read the blogs I like regularly, I have yet to have a blog of my own. Until now that is. So here it goes, my first official blog post.
Many may not know this but in May 2009, I officially launched my business which is named Embellished Bath and Body, LLC. There is a laundry list of reasons why I have not officially launched but that is for another blog post at a later date. Even though I have not officially launched, I am not lacking enthusiasm, excitement, or creativity. With that in mind, I would like to make sure that I dot as many I’s and cross as many T’s as possible. I am not expecting to do everything perfectly but I am still learning about business and how to begin one effectively. As such, it did occur to me several weeks ago that I am in a bit of a rut. I have been chasing my tail now for many months. I suppose the reasons why aren’t as important as what I plan to do about it. So here, briefly I will lay out the plan.
I am being mentored right now by Donna Maria Coles Johnson (dM), founder and owner of the Indie Beauty Network of which I am an Apprentice member. Through the social networking, www.indiebeauty.com, I found out about the Lifestyle CEO Blueprint Coaching Program. Through this program I am learning how to “Break All The Rules, Build My Own Corporate Ladder, And Create The Life I Love”1 in a nutshell. The coaching program consists of eight (8) sessions and we completed our first one on May 11, 2010. I learned so much and I am so pleased with my first session. So even with enthusiasm, after looking at what working a business is like for the typical entrepreneur, I add single motherhood, twin boys, a full-time job, as well as a chronic illness and I asked myself, “What am I getting myself into?” Well these are the things I am anticipating getting myself into:
- A better quality of life for myself and my children.
I love my boys dearly but have come to realize that even though I am blessed to have a job in this economy and I make enough to take care of us with some left over; the quality of my life is not what I would like it to be. I spend the majority of my time at work. I drop my kids off early in the morning and pick them up late in the evening. When we walk in the door, it’s all about dinner, a quick bath, a short story, a few kisses and lights out so they can get enough sleep for the next day. Mind you all of this takes a time so it is still after 9 pm sometimes by the time I get them down for bed. Owning my own business will eventually allow me to adjust my schedule so that I can maximize the time I spend with them and take care of things that concern them without having to ask or explain to my boss. I will be able to drop them off and pick them up from school as well as help them with their homework instead of paying for after school care. I prefer being an old fashioned hands-on Mom if such still exists. I also won’t have to schedule my vacation around others anymore. Boy that is something that I look forward to achieving.
2. Taking my worth into my own hands.
Every since college, I have worked for someone else. At the end of the day, my worth is in their hands. I have been in companies where my worth is not celebrated or compensated. I may work like a dog to get projects out of the door only to hear excuses as to why my raise is miniscule or lacking. For each position I have held, I have always dreaded the time of the year that we get Performance Reviews. For various reasons I seem to not make the mark and my raises are a reflection of that. I am not speaking of any specific job but just in general. I dislike the measurement system that is used in Corporate America. Having my own business lends me the ability to take my worth into my own hands. I won’t be able to pay myself initially but I will eventually. Having my own business allows me to maximize my worth and have a profitable business as well.
3. A role model to my kids of the rewards of hard work and the value of owning your own business.
I did not grow in a home with my biological parents but I was well taken care of by my paternal grandparents. I did see my parents as often as I could and I have fond memories of my father coming to visit me driving his moving truck on his way to another moving job. My father owned his own moving company, Porter’s Moving Service, for 17 years. I was always proud to tell my friends that my father owned his own business and he let me ride in the truck with him when he came to visit. So I saw my father as an entrepreneur and it has been an inspiration to me. He only had a high school education and he often reminded me of his sacrifice and hard work it took to own his business. He also reminded me that his business was going to help me have a better life which it did. I had the opportunity to go to college which my father didn’t do. So I would like for my kids to see the same thing through me. I would like them to see me accomplish my goals. They will see that they too can accomplish theirs. I would like for them to see the rewards and benefits of hard work and know that no matter how tough it looks, they can do it too.
Through dM and the Indie Beauty network, I am getting something my father didn’t have access to which is group coaching and the opportunity to understand and know more of what I am getting myself into when starting a business. I have access to many tools that just didn’t exist 30 years ago. In order to maximize what technology has to offer I have started increasing my tweets and Facebook interaction and I am committed to blogging at least three times a week. Truly only time will tell what I have really gotten myself into but I am so looking forward to an awesome and exhilerating journey. Stay tuned to see the story unfold.
Question: What goals in life have you accomplished not knowing what you were really getting yourself into? How did you approach your task(s)?
The Sweet Embellished Life 