Five years, two months, and one day ago I left my corporate job forever. I didn’t have a website, and I didn’t have any paying clients. But I did have a plan to make big bucks fast.
When I announced my departure, some coworkers thought I was leaving to get pregnant. (I wasn’t.)
Others thought I was quitting to enjoy life as a well kept woman to a sugar daddy husband. (I love my husband, but he’s no sugar daddy.)
Another contingent told me they thought I had been planning to work my way up to Vice President and was surprised to hear I was quitting. (The thought of being a VP at that company made me want to crawl into bed and never come out.)
What I knew for sure (in case you’re reading, Oprah) was that I couldn’t spend one more day working for a company whose mission I didn’t align with in a job that was devouring my soul.
On June 12, 2009, I left.
Of course, I had a plan.
I had just started coach training and believed I could make good money running my own coaching business.
I was going to fill my roster with one-on-one clients, offer group coaching, and sell digital products. If my plan panned out, I’d hit my six figure corporate salary in one year.
Step 1 was to make a website for my business. My husband and I set to work, and my first website was online in August that year.
Step 2 was to start attending weekly, 2-hour networking events. I printed business cards and started schmoozing.
Step 3 was to email friends and colleagues with the details of my new coaching business (because of course they’d want to immediately hire me). I messaged everyone I knew.
Step 4 was to have a booming business.
“Simple enough,” I thought.
Things didn’t go according to plan.
With my website up, business cards in hand, and a fancy name tag on my shirt, I drove an hour each way every Friday to one of the best Chambers of Commerce in the US. I networked weekly for a full year to try to grow my business.
I emailed friends, family, colleagues, old college roommates, people I used to know in high school, and even my neighbors to tell them about my business and entice them to hire me.
I blogged twice a week and sent two newsletters a month.
And I practiced my coaching skills with coach training buddies and former colleagues.
But clients weren’t hiring me.
So I launched a class. No one signed up.
I kept networking. But no one seemed interested in hiring me as a career coach.
So I offered another class. And I got one student!
I held a free workshop for young professionals at my previous workplace. I shared everything I had with them, hoping they’d hire me to coach them. No one did.
I felt like I was putting myself out there, but clients were not lining up to work with me. I was barely making any money.
Six months after quitting my job, I had little to show for all of my efforts.
The financials were bleak.
While preparing to quit my job, I had saved one year’s living expenses to cover our household bills.
By December 31, 2009, 6 months after quitting my job, I had made a whopping $830 in my business. A far cry from my original projection.
Even more bleak, I had spent $23,026.81 over the previous two years to get to this point. Coach training, getting coached, books, workshops, retreats, and a dozen other training programs to make this business work. And I had made $830.
I began to have daily panic attacks about money.
We cut our household budget in HALF. I started shopping at the discount food store, foregoing my preferred organic options. I stopped getting massages. Stopped acupuncture. No new clothes. No vacations. I quit the gym and opted for at-home workouts. Anything that wasn’t essential was brutally cut. We were living as bare-boned as we possibly could.
I really began to question whether or not I could make this business work.
At the same time, I refused to give up. The thought of going back to a corporate job was a huge motivator to keep trying even if success looked improbable.
I tried a dozen more things.
I dug deep and tried to find anything that would help me get some traction.
I hosted practice coaching calls for my fellow coaches. I also traded coaching with them to get better at coaching.
I partnered with an experienced coach in town to host a 4 week workshop. She did the teaching, and I did the organizing. We filled it with 10 participants but made very little money.
I offered another paid class to my list. I got two sign ups.
I made flyers for my career coaching and posted them around town. I got one client.
A former coworker hired me.
I created my first product. Partnering with a friend, we spent over 200 hours creating it. We launched it and sold one for $63! (Then had to split that in half.)
Along the way, I purchased another dozen classes, read countless blogs, got coached weekly on my self-limiting beliefs, and coached myself daily on everything that was holding me back.
When clients did come, I coached them. I gave them everything I had to offer.
But little was really happening in my business.
Click to TweetI still refused to give up even though all the evidence was telling me that my business was never going to work.I began following the signs.
Even though my business wasn’t yet working, I wasn’t going to quit. I realized my original plan wasn’t THE plan, so I decided to try another approach.
Instead of trying to create with the end in mind (meaning shooting for a formula of X clients + Y classes + Z products = desired income), I started following breadcrumbs.
The first breadcrumb was left by a coach I knew. She told me that she wanted to hire a VA (virtual assistant). I wasn’t a VA, but the thought of working for her was intriguing. I emailed her and offered to give it a try.
Quickly I discovered that I loved it!
Soon after I was hired to be a VA for five more coaches. I loved the work, I loved working for them, and they loved working with me. These clients came easily, and I was finally starting to make money. Most importantly, I was truly enjoying my business!
I wasn’t yet bringing in megabucks, and I was definitely afraid we’d have to move in with my in-laws, but something was starting to click.
My Personal Recommendation for YouThe 3 A’s of Success: Increase Your Chance of Succeeding at AnythingI focused on what I really loved.
With my heart and mind tuned into following breadcrumbs instead of chasing an income goal, I began to pay more attention to what I really enjoyed doing.
I played a game of hot or cold.
VA work was hot.
Career coaching was cold.
Working with business owners, hot.
Working with people in the midst of a personal crisis, cold.
Figuring out online technical stuff, hot.
Life coaching, cold.
Helping others with technical challenges, hot.
Managing the logistics of an online business, hot.
I then attended a coaching conference and had a serendipitous conversation with the amazing Bev Barnes. She gave me the much needed nudge to take this game of hot or cold a step further.
I admitted defeat.
A year after quitting my job to follow my dream to be a career coach, I realized that I didn’t want to be a career coach. It wasn’t my calling. I didn’t love it. And it wasn’t something I could excitedly do all day long.
I failed. Totally and completely.
Even still, I refused to give up on my entrepreneurial dream. The business I started wasn’t the work I was meant to do, but I would not go back to a traditional job without a fight.
I quit my business.
I realized something I knew all along: I was organized, I loved planing, and I loved getting shit done. The VA work was on the right track. Career coaching was not.
Talk about a lightbulb moment.
What was I doing trying to be a career coach, when it was clear that I was meant to do something else?
The clients and the money were showing me what I was really meant to do. So I regrouped.
I did more soul searching.
With Bev’s help, I found my hot-hot trail: VA work, project management, and helping people make ideas happen.
I hired a coach to refine my new business and set out to create a website. This was going to be my business. It felt more right than ever before.
I officially closed my career coaching venture and let all of my coaching clients go.
I closed out 2010 with evidence that I was on track. I made a whopping $18,681, most of it being from VA work (which I thoroughly loved).
We were still eking by with my original savings stash which stretched out further than I ever thought possible. We were now also supported by an itty bit of business income I was now generating.
We were still living bare bones, and I was okay with it. I didn’t want to get a job. Living on so little was a sacrifice I was willing to make for a little while longer.
My Personal Recommendation for You9 Things I Gave Up to Be SuccessfulOn March 1, 2011, I began again.
I started fresh as Jenny Shih, LLC, with an internet home parked right here at jennyshih.com.
I took with me some of the things I learned from my failed business when I launched my new business.
I was going to focus on list-building.
I was going to have a great opt-in. (The Idea Flight Kit, which you can still download today.)
I opened a Facebook page.
I engaged on Twitter.
I started networking online.
However, even though I was on a hot track, I still kept eff’ing up. I still had failures. And I wasn’t raking in the dough.
I did find my way eventually, and I can’t wait to tell you more about how I got there. More attempts. More failures. And finally, the wins started to come. I’ll continue this story next week.
I won’t lie to you. It wasn’t all easy. It wasn’t all fun. And I wasn’t always smiling.
There were teary fits on the kitchen floor. There were sleepless nights. There were panic attacks about money. There were constant job searching on craigslist. There were worries that we’d have to sell our house.
Some days it downright sucked.
Whoever says business is easy is full of shit. It’s not!
Click to TweetAt the same time, it IS possible to create the business you want. It just takes persistence and unwavering determination to get there.In the mean time, I want to know what you think!
I’ve dished the first half of my story, and now I’d love to hear from you!
How has your business journey been? Harder or easier than you expected?
Did you ever want to call it quits?
Are you absurdly determined like I was to make it work no matter what?
What’s your biggest take-away from the first half of my story?
I can’t wait to read your stories in the comments below!!
Hi Jenny,
When reading your story, it feels like I’ve copied the first part of your entrepreneurial journey!
I didn’t know what to expect when I started in October 2013 but I knew that going back to a corporate job was out of the question. It still is and I’m really determined to make it work for me! There is never a moment that I even think about quitting, it’s always about finding more faith and courage so that I’m able to look for the next step. And I always get there. After Marie’s B school there was/is Bev, and now I’ve signed up for your new program! So cool!
I realise that the choice I’ve made is not only a professional one; it’s a transformation process that influences my whole life and being. And it is so right, even if it’s hard and the future is not certain. But I always think…if they can do it, I can too! So let’s do this, looking forward to work with you! Katie
What an incredible attitude, Katie! I love how you’re looking at it as something you’re not going to give up on and something that requires a full transformation process. Those are both SO TRUE!!! Thank you for sharing!
Wow. Thank you for keeping it real and sharing the struggle behind your successful business, that was truly the most refreshing and inspiring thing I have read online in months.
You’re welcome, Sarah! I prefer to tell things like they are, especially since I fell into the trap of the success stories making it sound so ridiculously easy! 🙂
Jenny,
Thanks so much for sharing your real, hard journey to success. So much of it resonates with me! I currently stuck in a job that I don’t love and working for a company that has values that don’t align with my own. Quitting my job right now isn’t an option. However, it is my goal. I launched my business in July and keep trying to fight the self-doubt and urge to give up. Right now, I’m trying to focus on list-building and networking with the hope that my hard work will eventually equal $$$. Can’t wait to hear how your business finally clicked next week!
Julie
You’re doing it right, Julie. One step at a time, focusing both on the mindset you need to succeed plus the action steps. It doesn’t happen overnight, but your continued commitment will help you get there!!
Oh Jenny…
I totally relate. I too a few in months on between contracts, I didn’t quit my job yet (have 8 more days) before I’m done forever. It’s scary. I have a financial plan — what happens if it doesn’t work? I’m definitely not going to move in with my dad…
You have enough clients yet? That’s what my colleagues (all project managers) are asking me. NO!!!!! And they are going to come. But man, that questions freaks me out.
I get the financials… Last year, I made 26k on this of the business… This year, I’m not sure that I’ve hit 5 yet.
I love the hot cold game: breadcrumbs.
Cold — coaching project managers for career coaching.
Cold — teaching theta healing.
Lukewarm –healing on other healers
Lukewarm — weight loss coaching : there are tonnes of sign.
I could also do the love/hate game. Follow the love?
As I venture out full -time cuz even though I’m worried, I’m not scared. That’s true in this moment anyways: I can’t guarantee it ten minutes from now. It continuously changes.
I have one student , one session lined up. Oh wait, now my head is spinning with fear.
I had a healing session last week with a teacher. He told me to manifest differently. Don’t manifest students & clients to pay your mortgage. Something clicked within that.
Another big thing. I can’t get people to sign-up. I would beat myself up because, well, I couldn’t make them do what I wanted them to do. I’m a control enthusiast, and yet I’m learning to let go.my aim is to inspire and be if service. It’s no longer ti get people to sign- regardless of who they are.
I read the signs. I asked for clarity. Then 3 blogs came up. Its’s great to learn from everyone else, but follow your heart. Incorporate, but don’t necessarily copy. Do to know how weird it is to try put someone else energy into an enrolment call? Love this skill …
I’m focusing now … On weight loss. My entire focus is to inspire. I have a strong plan; combining healing & coaching. I always thought they doing one wasn’t enough. The combination excites me. It’s intuitive, spiritual and ACTION oriented. It’s totally me.
One big gigantic breadcrumb that I’m on the right track… I’m totally & genuinely excited. Even doing the program on myself.. Awesome.
The big aha. If now need to get in front. I was resisting- it doesn’t matter howuch I spend on getting coached unless I get over myself and start inspiring by getting in of others. Live & Internet. I could spend another 10k easily but as my last coach said I don’t need it.
I need to JUSt start, and the rest will come.
That’s funny cuz that’s the secret of receiving intuitive messages.
I’m not sure because I’m writing from my iPhone …but it feels like I’ve left my heart on the table. Thank you for allowing me the space to do that.
Follow the crumbs
Thank you for that response to Jenny’s post. I heard you when you shared your healer’s advice to ‘manifest differently.’ That really landed. Thank you.
What an incredible journey and story! Thank you so much for sharing! You’ve really nailed it: we need to keep following, keep learning, stop being graspy for clients but look for how we can serve… You will get there and you are making it happen. I can tell this for sure!!
Hi Jenny,
Thanks for sharing the bare bones of how you got where you are at. It’s refreshing to hear the details of one’s journey. I find myself unmotivated when I hear the calls of how to make 6 figures in 30 days. It’s a cheesy sales pitch. Being an entrepreneur is hard and a solitary journey at times. I feel when I hear stories that sound real, it’s validation that one is on the right track.
I’m at the beginning of my journey. I did B-School for the first time this year. I’m still implementing the principles, I’m still in my corporate job and trying to build my business on the side. It’s early days, and I’ve spent much on my education. Now it’s on to my website presence.
It’s definitely an adventure. Meeting like minded people is key.
Thanks for sharing.
Vanessa
You are on the right track as long as you’re keeping at it — and it sounds like you are!
It is hard, sometimes solitary, challenging, and frustrating! And on the other side, it’s incredibly rewarding, free, and delightful. It’s totally worth the difficulties to get here. And it’s certainly an adventure!
Wishing you well on your continued adventure, Vanessa!
This is the story of entrepreneurship. I wish more people would tell it. Looking forward to next week’s installment!
Thanks, Adam! I’m looking forward to sharing next week’s as well!
Hey Jenny,
Everyone I’ve been around/working with lately has had completely unrealistic expectations about starting an online biz (including me in the beginning). With so much talk out there about the ‘4 hour work week’ I think its great to get a little realistic insight, because it can be incredible defeating and impose a lot of pressure to create a biz that makes decent money from the start.
Thanks for writing this 🙂
-Kristy
You had me chuckling, Kristy! One of the most challenging conversations I have with new clients is often the very first session where we reset expectations about what’s possible for financial success in their business. I don’t tell them not to dream, but I also let them know what’s required to reach their goals.
At the same time, I know I had totally unrealistic expectations and in some ways, thinking that I could reach the moon was what made me take the leap from my job. It was crazy stressful as I said above, but it also got me to do it, which was huge!
There is the dream of the 4 hour work week but it takes a s***-ton of work to get there, doesn’t it!? Thanks for chiming in!
Jenny,
THANK YOU. I love hearing the real, dirty, not always overnight success stories. I launched two months ago and have doubted myself more times than I can count. It’s so easy to get swept up in “yea but everyone else online looks successful…”
Love the hot/cold game. Thanks for sharing your story and for being honest.
Jenn
Two months ago is just the beginning! Doubt’s natural but please don’t let the overnight success stories bring you down! Your commitment to keep going is all that’s required. You can make it happen and I’m cheering you on, Jenn!!
I am really loving this behind-the-scenes look! After getting laid off in June, I decided to pursue freelancing full time. I had only been working for 2 months after graduating last May and job-hunting for 10 months. Money was tight, and most of the income I made in my job went toward paying off bills from the aforementioned 10 months of job hunting. My partner and I decided to give it about 6 months for me to see if a) the freelancing looked sustainable and b) I really wanted it. It feels like those months are quickly coming to an end and I’ve been getting increasingly fearful even though I’ve done quite a but in the first few months (Rule 1: give myself credit!). Your story about hot and cold, however, resonates SO very deeply. One aspect of my business, doing in-home parties, has always been profitable for me yet I rebel against it because it can be incredibly draining and hit-or-miss. My new question is: how can I make it mine? How can I make it better align with my goals? And what else about my business can I bring into alignment? Thank you thank you thank you for this inspiration!
Kait, I want to tell you how awesome it is that you’re giving yourself credit! Starting a new business is no small feat and there are so many things to learn! The fact that you’ve started to find traction is amazing! When we get into it, we have no idea how difficult it’s going to be and get down on ourselves for not getting there faster. It isn’t an over night thing but it is possible and I love that you’re keeping at it.
Your questions are PERFECT! How can you make it yours? How can you love it more? YES!! Keep doing that! 🙂
Really, your story is motivating & gives a ray of hope for everyone who is desperate to change the scenario of his life. I also share a lot of things common with you. Thankyou very much. We have to go a long way ahead.
So glad to hear that, Ramanand. We can change our life and our situations, and it sometimes takes a lot of grit to make it happen. But it is possible!
Jenny this is so me. I haven’t quit my job yet but I definitely want to. I had to nix a previous business (Liberated Motherhood) to start another (The Invisible Sorority). I also forced myself to step out of the psychic closet I was in and embrace my abilities to channel. So that is now a core of my business.
Its scary….business is scary…..
Now I need to get people signing up to my business.
I love that you’re keeping at it, Ty!! You have been a model of inspiration in not-giving-up-er-ness!! Embracing your talents and coming out of the psychic closet is huge! And I have a feeling that the scary is the “we’re about to do something amazing” sort of scary — and that’s a great sign!! Keep it up!
A friend/mentor recently told me that the entrepreneurial journey is as far from a straight line as you can get. The zig zags we experience are actually essential. My experience (and yours, I gather!) confirms that this is true.
The moral of this story (well, at least the first half) for me is that you may have quit your business, but you never quit your *career*. By quitting your business, you opened the door to the next step. I’m on a similar journey, and this post was very encouraging.
I’m a mom of 3, and I am absolutely insanely determined to make this career work. No matter what (corporate career + motherhood = not fun for me). I am also very much aware that the plan I have in my mind right now may not be the plan I end up with. But I think the important thing is to have a plan and to move forward.
Thank you for this post, Jenny! Can’t wait to hear the other half of the story. 🙂
Love that: zig zags it certainly is!! You’re right that I never quit on myself and my dream even though I did quit my first business. And I kept moving forward and it sounds like you are, too!!
Yup! It’s definitely a journey, isn’t it. And not always fun… in fact, many times it downright SUCKS. But if it were easy… you know the rest.
I’m still on the journey. I think we all are. Constant evolution, change, new stuff. It’s an adventure, but one that I wouldn’t trade for the world.
Thank you for sharing the shit, Jenny.
Amen! Sometimes it downright SUCKS is right!! If it were easy, everyone would be doing it. Everyone would be living the life! But everyone isn’t because it’s damn hard work! 🙂
Wow Jenny.. I just love hearing your story.
I super duper relate!
Thank you for sharing it with us all.
Can’t wait for part deux!
Love,
Carla
So happy to share, Carla! I’m excited for part 2, too!
Jenny-
This is awesome. Thank you for sharing the truth of your journey and also for sticking it out to be the inspiration and educator you are now.
I’m also wishing I could’ve found you when you were still doing VA work, lol! I would LOVE to find someone who thinks organizing and tech stuff is HOT!!!
Can’t wait to hear the next installment!
Best wishes,
Leah
Thanks for being here, Leah! You’re totally right that all of the hard times and keeping going through it is why I can teach what I now teach. If it had been easy, I wouldn’t know 17 ways to work around every challenge my clients face. I wouldn’t know how to help them through the personal challenges that come along with it. (That life coach training helps a ton even though I’m not a life coach anymore!) The struggle brought me here so I can now help everyone else who’s ready to step up and make their business work.
Hello from Spain!
I have read your story as “hipnotized”. It is incredible how many times we fight for something that later we discover it was not for us!
You have gone through a very interesting (and hard) path, and I think this is because of that failures and the incredibly knowledge you got about yourself that today you are a mature and high-paying coach. It reminds me (once more) that bad times contain an amazing lesson to learn.
Thank you for all the valuable information you share.
Love,
Hello!! That’s a great insight that by working through the challenges I’m able to do what I do today. That there are lessons in the struggles even though they’re so difficult in the moment!
Jenny,
I’ve followed your blog for a while but this is the first post that inspired me to respond. I, too, appreciated the tip for evaluating things according to what’s hot and what’s cold. I can use that. I left my job almost 2 months ago. My plan was to be earning real money by this time. Well…that isn’t the case but I’m committed to the entrepreneurial track.
Thank you for permission to quit my business or just re-think it. I look forward to reading next week’s post.
Permission granted!! Keep thinking, hunting, looking for the hot track. Keep going as long as you can, and consider what you’re welling to sacrifice to make it work. (There is no right or wrong answer to that! Just because I was willing to live on HALF, give up vacations, clothes, and eating out doesn’t mean you have to.)
Step by step, continuing to take real action will get you there. And it will come together beautifully!!!
I love your hot/cold method for course correcting- it makes sense to let that guide us toward what works, in addition to what we love to do. Thank you!
Glad it resonates!
Hi Jenny! It’s nice to hear a similar story that has ended in success. Congratulations. Having left corporate America a year and 9 months ago, I’m still wondering what the heck I’m doing most days. This ‘following the breadcrumbs’ is something I’m going to pay more attention to. Sometimes they’re so hard to see if we’re not paying attention. I’m not sure what my next steps are, but I know I’m not going back to corporate America. That’s for sure. Thank you thank you for sharing your story.
That place of unknown challenges us on so many levels, and it’s also the opening where the next thing is born. You’ll find your way if you keep paying attention. Allow yourself to be surprised, as well! 🙂
Oh, boy. Thanks for sharing. My head is swirling with thoughts and questions, and what you went through is hitting lots of buttons with me, too. It’s not easy. I’m really, really lucky that I’m not worried about money (heck, yeah, more would be nice, though!). But it’s hard, lonely, overwhelming to do this website solo business online thing. My list putters under 100, and I haven’t found the strength to network yet – where? in person? online? What programs will work? Do I love this work enough to want to get really busy doing it? Is my product good enough? Sigh. It’s exhausting. Really, truly exhausting. I try to just keep going, put the blinders on and follow what feels right, in the midst of all the distractions both inside my head and in my life. Honestly, I’m not all that sure of my “gut’s” voice anymore after the IIN and BSchool swirl… just feeling drained and unsure and trying to be brave. Breathing. 🙂
Hi Diana
thank you for being honest and to the point. I sooooo can relate to what you said, having done Bshcool and my other studies in Nutrition, Iridology and Energy healing. It is hard, lonely and overwhelming to do everything on your own and I am starting to be scare as it leaves me exhausted daily (I need to work to support my son and my self so everything else comes as additional work). It seems like everyone else is moving somewhere but me, feeling stuck with all my ideas in my head but not clear plan that I follow to move from where I am at. Trying to be brave- that resonates with me. So we both keep on breathing and pray for a clarity and strength. The best of luck in your efforts, hope you don’t give up.
Tatjana
I promise that you’re not alone. People put their game face up online where things are wonderful and rosy. I certainly did that for the first two and a half years of my business — especially when talking with family or former coworkers!!
A clear plan can be the thing that unleashes you and let’s you take set actions that you know will read you forward. (Shameless plug: That’s what make It Work Online does! http://makeitworkonline.com)
I’m cheering you on. You can make it happen.
Yes, it is lonely, overwhelming, and hard! That’s for sure.
I’m going to take a wild guess here and I could be totally wrong (and I’m okay with that!). Bev Barnes teaches that there are two ways to deal with fear in business: freezing and frenzy. Freezing is where we stay stuck and unmoving and not taking action. Frenzy is where we run around in a mental tornado trying to do a million things and not getting anywhere. I’m wondering if your fear is showing up as freezing. The remedy is to take action, any action, and move forward. It’s okay if it doesn’t work perfectly, but the way through is to act. The exhaustion can often come from holding yourself so still and avoiding the fear. Odd as it sounds, moving forward and taking action can free you and your energy.
What do you think?
Mental tornado, that is me, better yet my current state of mind 🙂
Thanks for this expression as it perfectly describes how I fee most of the time. It is good to know that you really get it.
Thank you, Jenny! You have a knack for putting things into words that really resonate with me — and that allows them to sink in and to feel like knowledge I can act on. Quitting our own business sounds a whole lot scarier than quitting a job. I love how you framed it in the same way — if we have a job that isn’t working, it’s OK to give it up. even if it’s the job we made for ourselves and think is the last job we’ll ever have!
I’m one of those with a pre-conceived notion of how I should be making money. But my equation of lots of writing students + selling my curriculum = living comfortably is NOT panning out!
The notion of breadcrumbs, of listening to where there is demand for services, is really hitting home! I have people approach me all the time for my writing and editing skills, but because I had made a decision about my niche, and it involved working only with students, not with adults, I haven’t been taking those queries as business opportunities. Instead, I have relegated them to the realm of “helping my friends because those tasks are easy and enjoyable for me”, or at most, trading with people.
I really enjoy working with both students and adults, so my game of hot and cold is more about how other people feel. What are my potential clients “hot” and “cold” about? Where is there a market for writing help? I’m thinking it’s time for some more brainstorming and clarification about how I can capitalize on both aspects of my talent, without pigeon-holing myself. Time for some serious thinking, some soul searching, and possibly some re-branding…
We definitely create fictitious stories about how the money should pan out, but that’s certainly not the way it works! I’m always re-learning that lesson in my business, too 🙂
I’m so glad that breadcrumbs resonates. It took me a long time to trust them, but when I do, it’s amazing what happens!! Things come easier, people are excited to hire us, and work feels good. It doesn’t mean we don’t have to bust a little ass to build our businesses, but it feels good to hustle!
I love that your wheels are turning around your business and your talents and how to leverage them. By the way, Bev is amazing at that. Also Alison Cardy (alisonelissa.com).
Cheering you on as you follow those breadcrumbs!
Thank you!
Fabulous, talented and oh-so-generous Jenny!
I can’t thank you enough for being vulnerable enough to share your very real + true experiences with us. Ever since I began my own entrepreneurial journey in the summer of 2012, you’ve been someone I deeply admire and trust. In your awesome “Get Your First 1,000 Subscribers” program, I remember you often opening up and sharing your experiences around starting & growing your business. However, reading this post lays everything out in much more vivid detail, and I really appreciate that. I know you are super successful now (and HELL YEAH – just as you should be!) and I think it’s beautiful for you to share your journey to help all of us, too! Much gratitude. XO
You are so welcome, Tanya! I have been feeling for some time that it was ripe to peel back the layers, like you say, and share the full story. For all that I enjoy what I’ve created, I have a deep respect for the part of me that muscled through all of those really hard times to get here. And I want everyone who is struggling to know that it’s normal! And you can still make those big dreams come true! Thank you for being here!
Oh my gosh Jenny, THANK YOU so much for sharing your story! It’s so nice to hear I’m not the only one…cause it was pretty much like reading the summary of my first five years on my entrepreneurial journey (November will be 5 years since I left my corporate job). It’s so true that there are so many days where, on paper, it just doesn’t make sense to keep going….but your crazy determination keeps you going anyway. What you said is so true – when you FINALLY stop chasing the income goal, which is completely counter-intuitive, the pieces really do start to fall into place and you can see what you are truly meant to be doing. And what will truly make you happy. I’m still in the midst of my business “re-set” but know I’m finally on the right track. Looking forward to part 2 🙂
Cheers!
Congrats on your 5 year anniversary!! That’s incredible.
Remembering to follow breadcrumbs and not chase money is STILL something I need to regularly remind myself of. Commit to doing what I love and how I can help people the most, do it in my uncompromising manner, and show up for people who are ready to show up for themselves. Then the rest is out of my control 🙂
Best of luck with your reset!
Very cool, inspiring, raw story. Thank you for sharing that it’s a lot of blood, sweat, and tears, trial and error. Apart from being a VA for people you knew, I’d love to know how you found your VA gigs. Please share…
Best!
I found my VA clients the same way I find my coaching clients: word of mouth, doing a kick-ass job for my current clients (or then current VA clients), and being of service everywhere and often! Hope that helps!
Jenny! Thank you for doing this. Seriously.
This is the STUFF THAT NO ONE TALKS ABOUT. And it’s become my passion.
But it took a long time to get here, even if it still feels at times like I’m still starting out. I officially launched my business in July of LAST year, quit my corporate gig in January of THIS year & am just finally feeling like I get it (I’m also a BSchool alum!).
There can be so much pressure on investing in all of this education, outsourcing to web designers & paying for things that maybe you’re just not ready for….
Because you don’t quite know who you’re really talking to yet. And that’s okay.
When it came time for me to hire my own business coach, I realized I didn’t just want a coach who could help me *reach my own epiphanies* but I wanted a coach who would help me get (to the best of their abilities) the RESULTS that I was looking for.
And when I invested in that concept, I realized that I had to do the same for my own business (HUGE lightbulb!).
I went from the cute girl at networking events telling people “I’d help them find their purpose” (to which people responded by saying ‘oh, that’s nice dear’ & then hunting down the appetizers) TO the assertive woman who told people I could “help them quit their job and become their own boss” (because I had done it myself!).
And I noticed how their body language started to shift. They were suddenly intrigued & they wanted to know more. It all started by me learning how to *hook* my client!
I had to meet them where they were in that very moment. I needed to touch upon that heartfelt need, but not too deep just yet. I just needed to state the *transformation.*
It took a GOOD YEAR to get to this point. And now I’m just starting to see the bigger picture that I’m a part of. I want to be a stepping stone for peoples’ success stories (plus empower their legacies!) & I’ll be damned if I let anything stand in the way of doing that.
Which is why I’ve decided to confidently SHIFT my focus to what I know my clients actually need now. It takes you learning about them, studying them (listening!) & building up those authentic relationships. After all, you wouldn’t *marry* someone without trust.
So now I desire to help those creative men + women (like myself!) build up authentic online businesses from the ground up. By holding their hand during those *baby* phases which no one really does anymore. And I want to teach them just what I did — how to match & date their clients so that it translates itself directly to client retention.
That AND (it’s something you can’t contain when you stumble upon your passion!) helping those creative souls (particularly those who dub themselves *artists*) who already have a business framework & know somewhat about their ideal client (BUT are making no money) HOW TO go in & tweak their business model authentically.
No longer looking at their brand but their story. And no longer saying marketing but storytelling. Because business and life are intertwined & your *real* clients feel that.
Everything starts to CLICK when you have the right business foundation. It makes hiring out to photographers, web designers, copy writers & the like that much easier because you know wholeheartedly WHAT your brand is & WHO you’re communicating to.
Sorry for the rant (!) but when it all finally clicks in a big miraculous bubble of light-bulbs you can’t help but shout it out in CAPITAL LETTERS 🙂
I hope anyone reading this can find this helpful & that it can all come together in the end.
Thanks for listening!
{And it was so great *bumping* into you at WDS Jenny! I was the girl who was so excited to officially meet you in the ladies room 🙂 }
WOW! What a great story! I’m so glad you shared your journey here. It’s so important for all of us who work from little computers in a corner of our home just how NOT ALONE we are, even when it feels that way. Thanks for showing up here and nice to see you at WDS as well! 🙂
Great post Jenny! I am in a similar position, waiting for things to “distill” and gel – my husband and I have a laser etching company with a few stokes in the fire but I have a passion project that I really want to start, and I’ve only recently admitted and owned that I am a writer! I’ve been writing since the time I was a little girl, and books have always been my passion. I am a creative at heart and am leaning more and more into being of service everyday. When we don’t push on when we have the deep yearning, we do a disservice to the world. I used to think that was lip service, even when I trained to be a coach, but everyday it resonates louder and louder for me. When I turn away from my hearts longing, I turn away from humanity and it is the most selfish act any of us can do.
I fret over money sometimes too – I basically have enough to last us until May of 2015, we do need to sell our house which we are ok with, as it is a burden for us now, and not what we want any longer, however, I’m working very very hard to have faith and trust that we will be ok, that I won’t have to go out and get another job because it is just soul crushing to me. I’m just not meant to be someone else’s employee, I am meant to be a servant to humanity.
Thanks for sharing your story, its incredibly helpful and affirming <3
I love how you’re opening to what you really want to do and how much you and your husband are on the same page. That’s not easy or common!!
Your attitude toward sharing you gifts is spot-on with what I believe. We’re all here to do something in some capacity, so let’s embrace it and go for it!
Best of luck to you on your continued journey!
Wow I can totally relate to the first part of your journey. I am hopeful that I can have a similar outcome as you! I am continually looking for signs to see where I might be best expressing my gifts and talents that can also provide me with a sustainable income for myself. Thanks for the inspiration and encouragement and to know that I am not alone in this part of my journey!
So nice to hear you relate and feel inspired and encouraged. That was definitely my goal. And you are not alone! We are all doing this — even if in our own little offices — as part of one big community of world-changers. You’re on the team, too! 🙂
What a great post Jenny! I can relate being in the first year of business for myself. I left my FT job as a speech-language pathologist in Oct., moved across the country, as I was in the midst of a coaching program. I planned on coaching and writing (and forgot to mention I’m the mom to 2 young children: my daughter was 6 months old at the time, my son just turned 3). I had many sleepless nights watching Law & Order SVU marathons wondering what I did when we first arrived. We were used to a certain income level, and leaving the security of my pay check completely threw me out of my comfort zone. At first, I was marketing myself as a creativity coach for moms. This was my market & my niche. Nothing. Every mom I knew was way too overwhelmed to care about creativity. I made a deal with my husband that if work didn’t pick up (as in, if I wasn’t bringing in at least $1000 a month by Jan, I would look for speech work – which every time I went to an online job board, my stomach turned at the thought. I didn’t want to take 3 steps backward, but we have children and responsibilities).
My breadcrumbs came around the same time: got my first (paying) coaching client in Nov. who was a creative person and wanted to help me make sense of her message. I started to see how my coaching and writing work was related. I could help my clients figure out their stories. On a coaching retreat in December in Sedona, I wanted to know what everyone’s stories were and how they tied into their coaching offerings. That was another breadcrumb. This work lit me up.
B/c of my $1000 ultimatum from my husband, I decided to take on some private speech clients. I realized how much I loved my speech therapy hat when it was in my control vs. working for a hospital. At first, I had the belief returning to speech therapy would be a fail. Then it was an a-ha that being a coach and a speech-language pathologist is a really unique gift to my clients, and I began marketing it as such.
By May, I successfully hit that $1000 mark, and each month since has risen – (not to the level I was at in my old job yet, but I have yet to hit a yr., and I have to remind myself I’m really working P/T since I’m home 3 days with my children.
But the panic, feelings of uncertainty, etc. – can totally relate to all of it. I feel the highs in my business, but the moments with the lows can have me curled up on the kitchen floor bawling questioning my sanity.
I’ve just come to embrace the term “creative entrepreneur.” For better or for worse, I’m one of them – and in it for the long haul too.
Thanks so much for your truthful post. Truly affirming: )
What a great story and congrats on making it work! Those kinds of ultimatums are wildly uncomfortable! I love how you’re embracing your creativity, focusing on your talents, and figuring it all out one step at a time. That’s admirable!
Thank you so much for this truthful blog entry! I love dreaming big but I also get tired of people acting like it doesn’t take sacrifice. I’ve quit jobs and started my own “company” twice now, the first time being a debt-carrying failure. But everything is a learning experience and I’m grateful to be much more educated, confident, and determined this second time around. Leaving a fully benefited, full time, stable job to pursue an entrepreneurial dream isn’t easy but it sure feels better than just accepting being unhappy. Looking forward to the next part, Jenny!
It’s such a painful truth that big dreams do often require sacrifices. But if we put it into the perspective that what we’re shooting for is so amazing, it’s often worth those sacrifices.
You have such a great attitude about learning and growing, and I love your commitment to yourself!!
SO brave + awesome that you wrote this. Thank you for the peek into your heart and mind, lady. xo
You’re welcome!
Oh lordy gordy Ms. Jenny…do I know this journey, intimately! I’ve been in this BizOwner world since 1988 and if I wrote the ins and outs, lessons learned and burnt-to-a-crisp dreams and ideas I would burn up my internet connection. I’m chuckling as I write this about the “what’s hot” comment…I’ve been in/around techie stuff for a long time and decided I wanted out. Out. OUT! And I’m just now starting to see how to find the blend of mindset, biz, and techie stuff that keeps me from wanting to commit hary cary.
The thing I would share with others is that the thing YOU do most easily and with the least thought or effort is a really big hint as to how you could (if you choose) put those skills to work.
As always, I’m inspired by and love what you share!
Many blessings
MamaRed
So true and thanks for sharing that!! What is easy and least thought of is the big hint. The crazy thing is how hard it can be to see it!! But that is definitely the ticket!!
Jenny, thanks so much for sharing this! Though, I’m a bit of veteran entrepreneur, LOL, I have a similar story to yours.
So I had my first entrepreneurial experience at 17 and since then have created all kinds of businesses in the past most of which have been financially successful but none were my dream businesses. So pretty much like you quit your corporate job, I quit my profitable businesses that were sucking the life out of me.
When I decided to sell everything, move to a different country (the US), start fresh, do some soul search and start a business that was aligned with my passions BOY did I go on a crazy journey filled with ups and downs plus many crazy turns, lots of trials and errors, lots of lessons.
My problem has been that 95% of the time I manage to make my business ventures profitable but I haven’t found a biz the sits really well with my soul. I know this may sound nuts to most but I really want a business that LOVE not only a profitable one. This journey hasn’t been easy, it has taken most of my resources and more years that I care to admit but I won’t give up. Your story has given me more inspirational fuel to strengthen my determination.
Now, I think I might be at a very similar point than you were when you were finding your hot and cold areas and I’m getting ready to launch yet another biz venture. EEEK!
I know what you mean, Tatiana. We want to *LOVE* our business, and I think it’s our right!! Keep searching for what lights you up!!!
Thanks for the encouragement Jenny! XO
Thank you so much for sharing this, Jenny!
I so often think that I’m the only one, who has struggled for months making next-to-nothing and wonder “what the heck am I doing, will this ever work out?”. So I’m really encouraged to hear your story. I too started out with a plan that I thought was a shoe-in, and then had everything flop. No clients to speak of, my e-books and e-courses selling like only 2 or 3 copies, and so forth. And I’m definitely not giving up either (I’m way too stubborn for that)!
Looking forward to reading the second part of your story next week… 🙂
We truly do fail our way to success, Barbara. And sometimes it’s rough! The next post will be out on Wednesday, so stay tuned!
I’m a bit late to the party and read this post after someone shared part two with me.
I’m in a bit of a different situation as I’m still working full-time, but at the same time I’ve also been blogging for two years. The last year as a part-time job at least.
I’ve had some wins, but none monetary (I’m a travel blogger). At the moment I’m exhausted and questioning whether I shouldn’t refocus.
I think I’m focusing much too hard on my blog, while I should be using it as a platform to get paid jobs.
The question is: what kind of paid jobs.
So basically this is what I posted in a Facebook group and someone gave me your post in the comments:)
Great question, Sofie! Start with what feels “hot” and whatever lights you up. Start small, experiment, play, and take it bit by bit. We often can’t see the end game, but we can find the step that’s right in front of us.
Hey Jenny…thanks so much for this transparancy! Glad you figured it out for us haha
Yeah, really weird because I just hit year 3 and struggling with ups and downs. TOTALLY get the being worried part and my plan not working out , but being determined not to return to corporate soul sucking world. *sigh* so thanks for the affirmation. Feels good.
I don’t have regrets, but I do wonder…what about head games that could be holding a person back? Like you said the hot and cold game helped you…but then there is other advice that what scares you the most is what has the most money behind it. That’s what confuses me. Or I wonder if I’m so frazzled maybe nothing excites me anymore? Depends on mood of course haha
The mental piece is ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL to making business work, at least I’ve found it to be 1000% true!! There are lots of ways to address that aspect. Although I’ve done a ton of my own work in that area, it’s not my thing to teach (at least not now).
And the same lesson doesn’t apply to every person. Sometimes you need to follow what scares you. Other times you need to stay away. It’s about learning your own internal nuances about what that fear really means for you. This deep inner work is what the best coaches can help with.
Thanks a bunch! Will do!
PS: I’m wondering if it is an HSP thing where not focusing on the money and focusing on what you want to actually DO makes a difference? I did a 3 day mastermind with Monica Shah leading…and about 12 other women. When it was my turn in the hotseat they all acted surprised that I wasn’t motivated by money. I think she was stumped by this on how to motivate me. She just asked, “If money doesn’t motivate you, then what does? Are you sure you want to even be an entrepreneur?” Whatever. haha I learned a lot from her, though. Maybe you are going to become the queen of HSP’s in business! 🙂
I think sensitivity and values (money or not) aren’t necessarily correlated. I know sensitive people who are motivated my money; and non-sensitive people not motivated my money. In that mastermind, you were probably just in a population of women driven by money.
Personally, I’m motivated only to a certain degree with money. Once I have enough to be comfortable each month, take a vacation now and then, and feel like I can do an occasional splurge, I’m set. This is where I am now. I have plenty of ideas I know I could execute on that could make me a lot of money, but I don’t want to work as hard as I’d have to to reach those goals. And I’m not motivated enough by the money to do it. I much prefer a life that’s chill, comfortable, and spacious, than one that has me working hard for money just for money’s sake.
I don’t think you have to be motivated by money to be an entrepreneur. Some are motivated by freedom to do work they love; others by the freedom to manage their time; others to travel; and on and on.
I am in a failing businesses my self.in agree to all of t above. Indeed your help.
hi Jenny
THanks for sharing your failure story, i’ve got many. I’m so mortified to know how much money i’ve lost that I can’t even tell you how much i’ve ‘made’, it’s in the negative for sure. Four years after starting my business i started looking for a job – 2 months ago when i found out i was pregnant. it’s hard to admit defeat. i can’t fill classes, i can’t seem to finish my website, i’m kind of alone in this, i did the bschool thing and i can’t say it didn’t ‘work’ because it’s all about my input. the 30% that open my newsletters like them. i have 1% paying clients.
so here i am, after spending 10 000 in courses and 3 years learning and more panic attacks than productive work sessions and loaded with credit card debt and a baby on the way, i dont’ want to give up on my business but i dont’ know what to do. and i’m all out of money for coaches and i have a feeling later on i’ll have to start over. i can’t imagine the 9 to 5 life again, there’s not much out there for my creative brain and money is the only thing that makes me write cover letters..
i’d love to shine some positivity here, but i’m sharing the real stuff in case there’s anyone out there like me.
hoping to have my success story one day:) thanks for sharing yours
I’ve been on your email list for 2 years. I have to admit that I half-assed pay attention because I am signed up for far too many lists. Today I happened to open this email and it’s like I’m reading my story. I walked away from my 20 year corporate job with no income officially 6 months ago. I have all the things in place, I put flyers around town, I host workshops (with mostly friends in attendance), I network and end up with other struggling small business owners, and I’m at a whopping $1000 income. I’m a wellness & lifestyle coach and thought for sure I’d be slammed at the first of the year. Nope. All of the technical stuff comes so easy to me and I watch these people crush it online helping others do that, so I’ve been having doubts that this is the right path or maybe I should do some of that on the side to get some money coming in. Time to take a step back and do some soul searching. Thanks for sharing your story!
Wow Jenny, thank you so much for sharing your journey. Reading it made me feel that I am not alone. My first year in business has not been easy and it’s been harder than I expected. There were many times I wanted to give up, but like you I am determined and kept focussing on my purpose which actually brings me joy. The biggest take-away is to not give up and to keep searching within for creative solutions. Also, I’ve learned to stay open to opportunities, my original plan has changed also, but I get closer to where I am meant to serve.
Uff…
I feel I’m in one of those moments right now, but there is no doubt in my mind that I won’t quit.
I just want to somehow avoid the panic attacks with a wiser approach 🙂
Thanks for this, Jenny, I really needed to hear it,
Llyane
loved reading this! Can’t wait to read part 2….. I am about to become your biggest fan!!!!! Eeeeekkk!
Hello. Thank you for sharing your story. I’m at the “like what I’m doing but no one is hiring me stage”, so your story is encouraging. I don’t know what VA means and when I looked it up I found 80 definitions. Virtual Aid seems to fit what you do and what I could find, is that the right definition?
Cheers, Laurie
Welcome, Laurie! A VA is a virtual assistant. Thanks for asking. I’ll go and update the post so if others have the same question they aren’t sent away to google. I appreciate your input!