One Year Since My Feet Left the Day Job
Today marks one year since I've been at Inspire To Thrive full time. Many people think I work from home in my pj's but those that know me know that I'm out and about with clients on many days since I left the day job.
Of course, there are a few days I'm home and can be found on my side deck or desk with Hunter by my side working away on the laptop. Those days have become less over the year as I gained more clients and worked at their locations.
When I first started, I planned on being home on Mondays and Fridays to do work on the computer and meet with clients Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. That quickly changed as appointments changed and client needs developed.
Today marks one year since I've been at Inspire To Thrive full time. Many people think I work from home in my pj's but those that know me know that I'm out and about with clients on many days since I left the day job. #inspiretothrive Click To TweetSo what I have done and learned in the year?
Outsourcing To The Rescue!
Oftentimes in interviews people ask: What is your greatest challenge as a new business? My greatest challenge was keeping up with the workload. I learned that outsourcing a few tasks really could make a big difference. I've hired several freelancers that would come up with ideas for me, others that would ghost write blog posts and others to schedule.
I hired a person for SEO, and I kept my techie Mayura DaSilva busy from time to time. He's been with me quite some time now and I couldn't have thrived here without his quick and phenomenal help.
Many bloggers may know Brenda Pace and she's helped hold down the fort at the blog when I go away on vacation and/or travel. You can see my latest travel adventures from the Riverboat Cruise we just got back from over on Instagram. It was a lot of work scheduling everything prior to but it was worth it! That's another tip: Do take some time off from your business!
What is your greatest challenge as a new business? My greatest challenge was keeping up with the workload. #smallbiz Click To TweetUsing the Right Tools to Help Inspire To Thrive Grow
The one tool that really propelled my business was Agorapulse. I use it for scheduling, some monitoring and more importantly, reporting. It's been invaluable to me to save time with social media management. And if you know how that goes, social media takes a LOT of time.
Another tool is Paypal. Great for doing invoicing and getting paid of course. Invoice day used to take hours and I'd work 18 hours on the 1 st of the month but I got it down a little quicker and start on the 31 st. I generate reports to send along with them via Agorapulse. These reports can show clients how their social media pages are performing.
Other tools I invested in was Premium Canva, Camtasia for Video and of course Tailwind for Pinterest to name a few. Notice I use the word invest?
Yes, if you are in business you must invest some money into tools and training.
Yes, if you are in business you must invest some money into tools and training. #businesstips Click To TweetHow the Daily Schedule Goes Being in Business For Yourself
Oftentimes, I am asked by friends how long I work and what I do, etc. I typically put in 10-hour days, sometimes up to 14 and a rare 18. I do work sometimes on weekends and try not to work for too long on Sundays.
I love doing most of my work, especially the creative work in the early hours of the morning. It's my most productive time of the day. You will rarely find me working after 8 pm. After 9 I'm really no good and need to hit my pillow.
What I Don't Miss At The Day Job
I love not having to deal with traffic to and from a city every day. I make most of my appointments after rush hour or before rush hour. It's really to manage my time better. Why sit in traffic when I get other work done?
I do not miss constant meetings and reports that do not generate results. I still do reports, but they are for me and they are useful ones. I still have a pipeline and am thankful for my sales background. I am still very goal oriented and know what needs to be done.
I also love working my own hours and not having to be inside all day. I can work outdoors when the weather is nice unless I'm with clients. Recently I got a little sick and it is so much easier working from home sick then going into an office coughing away. Sometimes, it's the little things you really needed.
What I missed After I Left the Day Job
At first, I missed connecting with others but as things have progressed, I talk to people every day on the phone if not in person and I feel I have the right balance now.
No matter what you do, you must get off "the island" because you can't do anything today in this world all alone. We all need people to help us, whether it be just to say hello, give advice or do business with you. That is something I learned a long time ago and then again with my blogging aspect of the business.
Always Learning to Stay Ahead
No matter what you do, you must get off "the island" because you can't do anything today in this world all alone. #entrepreneurship Click To TweetAnother thing I do for myself, my clients and my business is to constantly learn as social media is ever changing. I attend workshops or seminars to learn more so I can train others better. It's a never-ending process but I always love learning new things. Ever since I left the day job I put aside hours a week for this purpose.
Many of you may not realize that I also teach social media. I have classes for Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Pages. I recently have been certified by the state of Rhode Island to at the Real Estate Institute of Rhode Island for agents that need to get their CE credits every 2 years. The courses I teach will be elective and I start in September of this year. Real Estate clients account for about 1/3 to 1/2 of my business. My next venture is to do webinars or online courses. Stay tuned 🙂
Attending Networking Events to Grow Your Business Even Before I Left the Day Job
If you are in business, you will need to network. I joined a local Chamber of Commerce and attended a few events. I had hoped to attend more but my work schedule didn't allow that yet this year. I'm hoping the fall season will allow time for that from time to time. I prefer mornings of course to any of the evening events. Even before I left the day job I attended networking events for years.
If you are in business especially a service type business, you need to always network and have a pipeline ready for when you lose a client or want to outsource more work. Oftentimes, I learn a lot from others who own businesses at these events too. It's never a loss of time going to one as long as you don't go all the time and lose time running your business 😊
Having Mentors is Important When You Work
I've had mentors all my life in my work world. I've had them in my blogging world such as Donna Merrill, Erik Emanuelli, Ryan Biddulph, Neil Patel, Enstine Muki to name a few. Donna and Ryan really taught me to let go of my fears and just do it!
Many customers have also become my mentors. I can't imagine being in business for yourself without having some mentors to help you along your path.
What Will It Take For YOU To Go Full Time with Your Passion?
I talked to an old high school colleague today who sold me some arbonne products and she was so thrilled to have her own career change. She too loved the freedom of working for herself and being able to set her own hours.
Once you get a taste of it, you won't want to go back. You will forge ahead and make changes as you go along. You have to get rid of your fears of failure and fear of loss of income.
Once you do that, you will do what it takes to succeed. You can also make adjustments along your path. It's never too late to leave your day job!
Please take a moment to vote for Inspire to Thrive!
Please, don't forget to VOTE for Inspire To Thrive in the upcoming Infinity Blog Awards. The voting ends August 12th! (Do let me know if the voting is not working, there have been some kinks in it!)
What do you love about working for yourself today? If you don't, would you want to? If so, what is holding you back? I'd love to know more in the comments below.
