10 Things I’ve learnt since becoming a business owner
I finally began my business in June 2020 when I was working full time and halfway through my coaching diploma.
I’d known for a while that I wanted to build a business helping others going through what I’d been through, but it wasn’t until January and February 2020 that I finally dared to begin making the dream a reality.
Suffice to say, it has been a wild ride and I can hand on heart say that this has been one of the biggest self-development journeys I have been on!
With that in mind, here is a list of the learnings I have made so far (in no particular order):
1. Working for yourself can be pretty lonely at times.
When you begin your business, you are doing ALL of the things. And plenty that you have never heard of before. A lot of time is spent by yourself and on your business, whether it is thinking up new ideas, contacting people, having calls, creating content, doing all the admin…and more!
The transition from full time working to self-employment was initially a hard one as you are also having to motivate yourself to do everything. You can’t just pick up a phone to a colleague or nip out to lunch with them to offload, pick their brains or just chat. Most of your friends are working in their jobs at 2:55pm when you are needing that support so learning to self-soothe has been a must.
2. Having a support network is everything.
When you begin the journey into self-employment, you discover that there are loads of brilliant people around you all doing the same thing or at the same point in their journeys. Through networking and courses, I have created some amazing friendships that I really cherish. It’s weird knowing that I still haven’t met some of them in person yet (although I feel like I have) as they are scattered around the country (and world in some cases)!
One of the best things I’ve done is create an accountability pod with a couple of these lovely friends where we meet weekly. This has been a godsend as it breaks up the week, we keep each other on track and we are all cheerleaders for each other, however big or small the win! Also, knowing that we are going through the same stuff makes me feel less alone.
3. Not everyone will understand your journey - and that is OK.
I’ve had comments, assumptions, disinterest and silence when I told some people about my business idea at the beginning. Thankfully these people formed the minority, but it let me know who was in my tribe and corner! Letting go of that initial hurt was cathartic and I now shrug it off.
One of my mottos now is not to take advice (or comments and criticisms) from people who have never walked the same path. I apply this to all aspects of life! In most cases people mean well but some can project their own fears and insecurities onto you which you don’t need on top of your own.
4. You will learn so much about yourself.
As I said above, owning your own business is a wild ride. At every level you must push through your own internal blocks. Scared to post content, send a cold message or run a course? You’ve got to get on with it anyway!
The thing is, as soon as you feel comfortable with one thing, the next block comes up to be worked through. That’s why having support (and a coach) can really help you keep moving forward.
Resilience is another thing I knew I had but didn’t know how much until I began this path. Every time I want to give up (and it has crossed my mind many times), I just get back up again and keep going. Knowing my why has been invaluable for this.
5. The technology!
I’m not really a technology person. I know enough to get by, and I do enjoy working with databases and systems. However, I’ve had to really pull up my sleeves and get to grips with numerous websites (including integrating them where possible) to allow my business to run more smoothly behind the scenes. Online calendars, website, newsletter, landing pages, payments, Zoom etc etc. Before I began, I’d never heard of most of them before! I have spent countless hours sorting things out but I’m glad I did as it has given me such an insight and a range of skills I never had before.
6. It is NOISY out there.
The coaching industry has exploded in the last few years and there is so much information out there vying for your attention and money, all selling different methods for running your business. It can be exhausting navigating it!
However, the longer I am in the industry, the more I am letting my values and intuition lead me. That has led me to amazing clients and meeting other brilliant people in my network. Being true to me is so important.
7. Boundaries, boundaries, boundaries!
Hmm, I have been a TERRIBLE boss to myself at times. I once spent a whole month working without a day off to push some things through which was a horrible idea. That’s taking the quick route to Burnoutsville.
When you work for yourself, especially in the beginning, you do work long hours to get everything off the ground and it can be hard to switch off from the constant list of things to do that is circling in your head. Scheduling time for self-care in your calendar and finding ways to switch off are really important.
8. You and your business are constantly evolving.
My business looks very different now from when I first began. My processes have developed and deepened, I have learned so much from other people, courses and my mistakes and, as I follow my intuition, I continue to evolve too (and my business with it). I’ve noticed that I’m not the same person I was 1/6/12 months ago and I know I will be different again in 1/6/12 months. My business will change as I do and as the market/demand changes which is very exciting!
Also, it takes time to build a business. Some people can do it really quickly, but generally it takes 3-5 years to really get going. Think about how much it (and you) will change in that time.
9. The freedom and autonomy.
One of the things I love about working for myself is that my business can take any direction I choose. I can try out most ideas I have and build a lovely community that is really interested in the services I have to offer – this is so exciting! Yes, having everything on your shoulders can be very scary at times, and mistakes can feel awful in the moment, but there is tremendous freedom and autonomy in this. Plus, although I’m working long hours, I can pretty much pick and choose which hours I work and when.
10. It’s OK not to feel ready. Do it anyway.
Talk to any business owner and they will be nervous about something, whether it is upscaling, going live on social media or cold calling/emailing a potential client. Most of us don’t feel ready for each step we take forward, mainly because those steps are into the uncomfortable unknown. Do it anyway as the golden nuggets are on the other side!
Send me a message and let me know which of these resonate, even if you have never started a business!
Sarah x