Welcome to the ‘Big Dreams Come True’ interview series where I interview fabulous people (just like you!) about having their Big Dream come true. This month I decided to feature myself, and one of my Big Dreams Come True.
What Big Dream have you had come true? Tell us all about it.
I started my own business back in 2004 doing work I love with all my heart.
What was the catalyst for this dream – what made you want this?
From the moment I started working in the corporate world, I felt boxed in and out of place. Even when I worked for the Best Boss Ever, I still felt like it wasn’t the place for me, and I started to feel the call of my own business (even when I didn’t know what I’d do!)
What obstacles/challenges did you face along the way and how did you overcome them?
Oh there were so many!! First was not knowing what I wanted to do with my business – something other people seemed to think was a huge stumbling block to my plan! Next was those pesky other people…most of whom had (reasonable) questions about what the hell I was doing (following my heart) and what my plan was (make it up as I go along). I get why they did that now…I was pretty underprepared! And I get why I had to learn to ignore other people’s opinions about my heart’s knowings and desires.
Another huge obstacle was not having the faintest clue about how to market my business or sell my services…and for the first few years, I found both incredibly difficult. In fact, I’m only just getting comfortable with sharing how I can help (marketing) and inviting people to buy (sales). I jumped into running my own business with very little preparation, plan, or idea what it would be like or how it would work out. I also had debts and no savings at the time.
I am amazed that I lasted more than a couple of years…although I have had back up work in temping and bar work for many of the 12 years I’ve been going.
Lack of support was another obstacle – in a business, you have managers, colleagues, IT and wages departments…in your own business, it’s you (and when most of your mates work for other people, it is quite lonely). Luckily I had worked in a lot of the back office roles and had a good understanding of IT, accounts, invoicing, record keeping, credit control and purchase accounts so those bits were fairly easy for me. But having no one to run things by was tough, and it took me a long time to get a good support system of other business people around me.
And the learning curve was probably the biggest obstacle of all. There are so many things you need to know when you are self-employed – from technology to marketing, from accounting procedures that work to how to structure your day to help you do your best and not burn out, from how to write and self-publish a book to how you best create. The learning never ends, there’s always something new to learn – every month at least I’m on Auntie Google trying to figure out something else I never knew I needed to know!
I could go on and on ad infinitum about the obstacles I’ve faced…but they’re summed up in 2 proverbs:
“Fall down 100 times, get up 101”
“Life is problems. Living is solving problems”
Every one of those obstacles has made me stronger, wiser, better…my attitude to obstacles is totally different now – I used to think they were there to hinder me and piss me off! Now I know they’re to help me get where I want to go. (I wrote a book about this – you can pick it up free here.)
Did it turn out as you expected?
Nope! Nothing turned out at all as I expected. It was harder than I thought, more of a joy than I thought, a bigger personal development journey than I ever anticipated, and I’ve changed so much in the past 12 years, I barely recognise myself.
What is the best thing about your dream coming true?
I love learning (luckily). I love the paths my business has taken me down. I love the confidence it’s given me. I love the people I’ve met. I love the products I’ve created and the books I’ve written. I love the clients I’ve had the priviledge to coach. I love that my business brought me so close to my soul. I love the inner wisdom I have access to now as a result of honing it for years. I love that I get to help people love their lives and make their dreams come true.
But the best thing about this dream coming true is the business I’ve created. I love my business with all my heart.
What is the worst thing about your dream coming true?
It’s a hard path. As I say, you are constantly learning and growing and being challenged. Sometimes I think it would be great to be one of a big team …and get a regular pay cheque at the end of the month!
What advice would you have for other people who want to make this Big Dream come true?
Follow your heart. Even when it’s suggesting something crazy, follow it anyway. Learn to listen to your inner wisdom and trust that over and above EVERYONE else…especially ‘experts’. There’s a lot of them around for business – my business does better when I completely ignore most ‘experts’ and do what’s right for me. And every business success story I know is the same – you can listen to others, learn from others…but ultimately you have to find your own natural way. And if you follow your heart, it will tell you when a business philosophy is not for you.
Simplify it all. Marketing is just letting people know how you help them. Sales is just inviting them to get the thing that will help them. You don’t need a website, facebook page, twitter handle, instagram account, pinterest page, linked in profile, youtube account, Google + page to have a business…sure those things can be useful, and IF you enjoy maintaining them (pick 1-3 though, not the lot, your job isn’t social media!) they are a great addition to your biz. BUT the ONLY thing you need to have a business is a paying customer. It’s that simple. Find people to experience your expertise, tell them how you can help and invite them to purchase. Anything else is window dressing.
Be prepared to do the work. I’m not talking about the hustle, the nose to the grindstone, the working 14 hour days (don’t do that, you’ll burn out). I’m talking about all the work you’ll have to do on yourself. All the times you’ll have to put yourself out there, over and over and over. All the work you’ll do to learn to listen to your soul and the soul of your business. All the work you’ll do to learn everything you need to know and unlearn everything you need to forget (like doing the sensible, logical, safe thing). It’s tough…but it’s so much fun too!
Let yourself be a beginner…even when you’re 5 years in. Baby businesses sometimes flourish in the first year or two. More likely is you’ll experiment and grow and learn and try new things and drop stuff and find something that works, and it will take time for your business to develop. Give your business and yourself that time and space.
And finally…keep going. Tenacity (stubborness) is the number one reason I made it to 12 years in business. Just keep going. You’ll want to give up 20 times a year. Check you still want your business…and if you do, keep going.
What’s next on your Big Dream list?
More books and products and business expansion. For a long time my Big Dream was “to have the freedom to follow my inspiration wherever it leads every day”. Now it’s upgrading to be that plus to help that one person who needs what I have to offer. (I’ve learned that in helping one person, I get to help many people).
Connect with Me:
Have you had a Big Dream Come True? I’d LOVE to interview you about it – get in touch and share your Big Dream Story.
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