I never set out to be an entrepreneur. In fact, I frequently remember telling people when I worked in my banking and healthcare tech corporate days that “I didn't have an entrepreneurial bone in my body.” (The universe laughed.)
Then, I went to go work for an entrepreneur, speaker, leadership expert and author, Cy Wakeman. In my three years working for her, I learned invaluable skills on how to run a leadership consulting business, share ideas and content that mattered to others, and just be in business for yourself.
I loved working for Cy, but as my daughter got older and I remarried, I wanted to be home more and travel less. I wanted to take on more 1-1 leadership & executive coaching clients, as that was work I could do from anywhere. While Cy wanted to remain committed to the speaking business, she was incredibly supportive of my trying my own thing, launching my coaching practice and partnering where it made sense. My husband was also supportive, reminding me, “If not now, when?”
On March 1, 2019, I worked my first day as my own boss. I didn't have a desk or a chair so I set up a table leaf across two TV trays and sat on a padded bench. I had no idea what I was doing but I did have to furry co-workers :)
FIVE LEADERSHIP LESSONS IN FIVE YEARS
This week, my business turns FIVE on March 1! I have a real desk now and office setup, too. As someone who never believed she had an “entrepreneur bone” in her body, it’s hard to imagine I’ve been gone from corporate that long.
My business has gone through many iterations since day one. When I first started, I took anyone who desired coaching or training! It wasn't until late 2020 that I focused in on my mission of helping women to advance to the rooms where decisions are made and offering my coaching, training and speaking for them.
Here are five lessons learned in five years of business.
I think these would have served me well in corporate, too:
1. Success Loves Clarity. The world is noisy so you have to be more clear and consistent than you think. People’s inboxes are full and they aren’t paying as close attention to you as you think.
2. Know What You Stand For As A Leader. You are not for everyone and that is okay. Know your strengths, what you believe in, then find your people and serve them well. People will always be ready to give you well-meaning advice about what you should do in your career, and knowing what you stand for will help you discern what's meant for you and what isn't.
3. Confidence Is A Side Effect of Taking Action. Doubt will ALWAYS be creeping in. You can’t wait around to feel confident, it will never happen. Instead, you have to change your relationship with doubt. Make friends with it - it’s not going anywhere if your stretching your comfort zone. You can take brave next steps WHILE ALSO feeling doubt, nerves and imposter feelings.
4. Teach People How To Work With You. More simply, set and honor your boundaries. Define your values and set time, pricing, people and energetic boundaries that align with them. Honor meetings only inside your working hours. Say no to people and projects that are outside your values or talent zone. Breaking this leads to resentment. (Every time!)
5. Treat Everything Like An Experiment. It either works (yay!) or it doesn't and or get the benefit of learning & iterating new versions. Getting attached to always doing things a certain way or always expecting that your first effort will result in instant success is a set up for disappointment. Always be learning.
🔥 Above all else, thank you for being here and cheering me on!
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