Ever since I left grad school it felt like a race to make more and more money. I started with a smaller research firm and then was off to the multi-national corporations. Each position that I held paid more and came with a more impressive sounding title. However, like many entrepreneurs today, I became more and more disenchanted with the work that I was doing. For years, colleagues and friends had told me that I should go out on my own. I finally listened to them and haven’t turned back. My story isn’t unique but I felt the need to share my thoughts as I still see others struggle with this decision.
1. Believe it when someone says, “Love what you do and you’ll never work another day in your life.”
When I first went on my own I was in marketing since that’s what I was “sucked into” for the previous decade. It was great answering to myself but I still wasn’t exactly following my passion. The ten year old me was very upset that I was using my eight years of education in marine sciences and math to do marketing strategy. I listened to her and dove right back in to what I spent so much time learning.
2. Make the entire planet your comfort zone.
Stop worrying about how you look or what others may think. Someone else’s opinion of me is none of my business and - just like your mother taught you - usually a reflection of themselves. Would you rather “look foolish” or regret not taking the chance? Who cares how you look? Most individuals are worried about themselves and don’t have time to be preoccupied by thinking about you. Take chances - don’t totally throw caution to the wind, educate yourself - but go for it.
3. Network. All. The. Time.
When I first went out on my own, I went to nearly every networking event that I could find. I’m a lot more selective now but I built up a great group of other women entrepreneurs, clients, and friends this way. The key to great networking is to be memorable and hand people ONE business card, letting them know the ONE thing you do. I get confused when people tell me about everything they’re involved in and don’t know what I should call them for. On the other hand, people that I KNOW do a particular skill get referrals from me all the time. Because I tell people only ONE project I am doing when I meet them I also get great referrals - like the one where someone sent me a reporter that needed a shark expert to feature for Shark Week. You may be involved in more than one project but go to a networking event with only one of your business cards. You can hand out a different card at a different type of event another time, trust me.
4. Ask a lot of questions.
I’m fortunate to be in West Los Angeles where there are networking events, entrepreneur panels, and other meetups nearly every night of the week so I get to ask a lot of different people questions. When there’s a panel I am usually the first one to speak up and ask a question, in fact. These aren’t empty questions just to hear myself talk, I’m asking advice. I research events and who will be there/who the speaker(s) are and come prepared with an idea of what I want to know from them. For workshops I assure that I ask questions until I am completely clear on the material. Again, don’t worry about what others may think of you - speak up! (See point 2.) Ask questions online as well - Google, web contact pages, email, social media, etc. Whatever business issue you are having there is almost guaranteed to be someone that has already encountered it and is more than happy to tell you their advice if you ask.
5. Take care of yourself.
You are no good as an entrepreneur if you are in poor health. Take the time to exercise, eat right, and practice self care. I don’t believe in that sleeping-in-shifts nonsense, not sleeping at all, eating fast food, or skipping meals. That’s a one-way ticket to dismantling everything you’ve worked for. It may take a bit to catch up with you, but it will. Think of it as investing in yourself - that extra hour you take to plan your meals, exercise, or sleep will pay off in less downtime with illness, etc. in the future.
6. Be resourceful.
I’m not going to lie - it is a challenge not receiving those steady paychecks every month. Become the master of frugality and finding free/reduced cost resources for your company. The Small Business Administration has a lot of services for start ups as do local Chambers of Commerce. Depending on what type of company you start there are industry-specific resources that are just an internet search away. Every industry seemingly wants to grow the innovation in their respective spaces so take advantage of that. Remember to also cut out all of those lunches, dinners, and happy hours out that aren’t necessary for schmoozing. Plan your spending every week as you plan your goals and time.
I could add more to this list but these are my six top tips for those of you that want to embark on the entrepreneur journey. I’m not saying it will all be easy. There are definitely times of struggle and disappointment. Good luck!