“Each suburban wife struggles with it alone. As she made the beds, shopped for groceries, matched slipcover material, ate peanut butter sandwiches with her children, chauffeured Cub Scouts and Brownies, lay beside her husband at night- she was afraid to ask even of herself the silent question– ‘Is this all?”
― Betty Friedan, The Feminine Mystique

I’d been invited to speak at a Sales leaders luncheon in February and while I was browsing the internet for statistical information to supplement my content I came across the above mentioned quote.

I stopped for a moment, contemplating the above statement and with a rather peaceful sigh

realised that

somehow I understood exactly what Betty Friedan meant.

In a good way.

Four years ago, much like Betty, I left behind my corporate position, my lovely Tuscan home on the banks of the river, great income and social status in exchange for safety, kid shifts, lunch boxes and laundry, to move to Australia.

6 months after migrating, I too woke one morning,

and asked the question

Is. this. all. there. is?

This question has taken me on a 4 year journey of introspection,

transformation, discovery and

often epiphanies.

As epiphanies go , I recently discovered this, while reading a book called Turning Pro: Tap Your Inner Power and Create Your Life’s Work

they can be darn useful, they serve their purpose, exposing your bullshit…

leaving you with the choice of continuing to believe in the bullshit or to turn pro

Can you guess which I chose.

Let me give you a clue.

It is not brown in color and certainly does not smell like poo.

You got it!

I turned pro.

I started my business from home ( my personal story had a lot to do with this ) I realised that I wanted more from life, I’m not saying that dropping of kids, making lunchboxes  and doing laundry was bad, it has it’s place and is much needed in my home, but for me to feel fulfilled, making beds does not cut it.

So , if you’re thinking about starting your own business, or perhaps you already have a business, here are a few important tips I found helped in the early stages of my business.

Do what you love to do.

So often people have an idea to start a business purely for profit, while this is good – it’s also not sustainable. In my opinion you must love what you do or else you simply are exchanging one job for another.

On those freaked out, crazy days when the world and your home seems to be upside down

Chill, relax, breath and take it slow. ( Organic growth can be good growth)

(Confession time)

It’s taken me 4 years to get to this point.  [ and I am still a massive work in progress.]

before

I was the crazy lady control freak who wanted EVERYTHING to work exactly the way I saw it happening in my mind.

Lucky for me and for those around me I was surrounded by beautiful people  (my hubby) who continued to support me even when I had scary hair brained schemes.

and

I am a lot more chilled.

Working on your own can become quite lonely and the need for intellectual adult stimulation much needed.

Find and connect with people who are on the same wavelength as you

This is a must. – you could go dilly listening to your own voice.

Connect with people who get you, inspire you and encourage you on the crappy flat days.

Having a support network of likeminded people who can also stretch your boundaries and challenge your way of thinking is sooooo important. I find this helps me to remain focused on taking the next big step to grow my business to the next level.

There is so much more I could add.

I wont.

There is plenty of time to share the amazing journey and insight that becoming a successful entrepreneur brings

So

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To peanut butter sandwiches and growing business