This is a collaboration blog by Erika Del Sordo and Meredith Kimmel, ACC. This blog is also posted at www.TodaysTalkwithErika.com.
Going from being an employee to an entrepreneur can be a very daunting undertaking for some, and for others it is quite easy. There are people who are very entrepreneurial by nature, and never had their own boss. Erika and I both know very well making the leap from employee to entrepreneur. We wanted to share our experiences with you so that if you are planning to make the leap, we can help.
Several years ago, before we knew each other Erika and I both left our corporate jobs and started our own businesses. Had we never changed careers, there is a good chance we never would have met and never created this collaboration blog to share with our growing audience.
What Does It Mean to Be an Entrepreneur?
An entrepreneur is someone who creates their own business and takes on both the risk and the reward. Sure, you can work a corporate job, and have your own side hustle and be an entrepreneur.
The following are reasons why I find being an entrepreneur so rewarding:
- I can do the work I want to do instead of doing someone else’s work.
- I have flexibility and can create my own schedule.
- I get to meet new and wonderful people like Erika.
- I am in control of my destiny in terms of how much I earn.
- I go to bed every night knowing that I have helped people, and there is truly nothing more rewarding in my opinion.
How Do You Go from Being an Employee to an Entrepreneur?
There are many ways to answer this question. In my opinion, the best way to start is to have the mindset that you can be an entrepreneur. It is all in your thinking. You also must have trust in yourself that you can make the leap from employee to entrepreneur. You must have the drive and motivation to do so as well. Just because you open your own business doesn’t mean that you’ll be making money instantly. You must go out there and get the prize. I decided to make the change when I realized that I was incredibly good at making money for my boss. I, in return, only received a fraction of what I brought in it as my salary. I figured why not work for myself and get the whole pie instead of just a piece.
Erika, what do you think?
I think you’re absolutely right! I read something today that completely settled in my bones. It said, “The comfort zone is an addiction.” It really is. If you’re comfortable, you most likely won’t have the drive and motivation to create something magnificent.
Just a few years ago, I worked for a company where I was under-appreciated, where I worked my arse off for nearly 15 years and got very little reward (pay). So, as I prayed – and watch out for those suddenly answered prayers – one day my entire life felt like it was thrown in a blender. You know that feeling where you’ve left the top off of the blender and then turned it on and food is just flying EVERYWHERE and you’re trying to catch a tsunami with one hand? Yeah, that’s how I entered entrepreneurship. And that’s not a joke. Ask some of my closest friends.
How Can You Ensure Success as An Entrepreneur?
The only way you can do that is by constantly wanting more for yourself, for your business and to never lose sight of your personal goals. I always tell people, I’m a one-woman show. I need to stay healthy because no one can do what I do, for my personal business that is. I am the only one who can voice for my clients with the voice they want. Same goes for Meredith. She is the only one who can help her clients. HER clients want HER. So, you must take steps to stay healthy. In entrepreneurship, there are no sick days.
I must say, being an entrepreneur makes you stronger. When you know that the success of your business is all on you, there’s a motivation that ignites in your soul that’s inexplicable. If you have a sniffle, you don’t call out and still get paid. No! You blow your nose and tackle the day head-on. It truly is the best leap I’ve ever taken. I have complete control of my life. And as mentioned in Blog #10, I’m completely Grateful for this gift of Entrepreneurism.
I have to say, I love talking to Meredith as a fellow entrepreneur. We take our collaboration seriously and discuss how each other’s businesses are thriving. It’s a totally different dynamic than what my life used to be several years ago when it was exhausting trying to explain why my corporate job sucked. It makes me really sad now when someone complains about their awful boss. To that I say, DO SOMETHING about it!
Get out there and hustle AND don’t look back! Tell everyone Meredith and Erika sent you. 😉
Meredith’s next thoughts here are spot-on as entrepreneurism really isn’t all that glamorous!
It’s Not All Glamorous.
There are many lessons learned when running your own business. I do everything on my own: coaching, billing, marketing, networking, and paperwork. I believe that the key to my success is having a dedicated support system. I work with coaches to help me stay accountable. I network and collaborate with other coaches to stay on top of industry standards. I support others’ small businesses.
I have learned so much by making the transition from employee to entrepreneur, and I am so grateful for the support system that I have that makes it all possible.
