Over a year ago now, I started on a journey to start my own business. Since then, I’ve learned a lot about myself, about the administrative parts of running a business, and about what I really love to do (create, inspire and develop potential). But the most critical lesson I’ve learned is how important it is to have strong support people in my corner. I have felt supported, advised, and loved. I am truly fortunate and thankful for the friends, family, and broader network that I have and I hope that I can one day help them as much as they have helped me.
There are too many people for me to tell you about all of them unless I was writing a novel, so I’ve picked a few people who have truly been there for me from the beginning for this post.
My mom.
I remember how much I worried about telling my mom that I was going to leave the security of my well-established career and great salary to strike out and start my own business. I was sure she would caution me against it, at she’d question my judgement, and worst of all, that she would lose sleep nightly worried about how I would make ends meet.
As mothers sometimes do, my mom surprised me.
She was excited for me, and said things like “it’s about time!” and “you are going to be great at this!”
Since then, she has continued to be supportive, offering to help with anything she can. Thank you mom. I’m so lucky to have you in my corner.
My sister.
My sister has a great career as a Real Estate Broker/Manager, and is a savvy marketer. She has always been entrepreneurial, and has started several businesses in the past, including the awesome Realty Boost networking site for Canadian Realtors. Her fearlessness and creativity inspire me every day.
Amanda has been instrumental in helping me come up with ideas and develop some of my basic pieces like business cards, marketing material, and website. The amazing thing about the way she’s helped me is that even though I know she has strong opinions (on everything!), she has been very open to listening to me about my business. She’s also always willing to make time for me when I need her.
My dad and my sister Amanda
I so appreciate her help, and couldn’t do it without her. Thank you for being in my corner, Amanda.
My dad.
My father is where the entrepreneurial spirit my sister and I have comes from. He is a smart business person and connector, who has done everything from selling flashlight screwdrivers out of our garage (it’s a long story) to being successful in real estate, to many years as an elected Alderman, to running a manufacturing company. He has a great ability to understand business and what makes different companies successful.
I enjoy talking to my dad about my business. He not only gets it, he listens and offers thoughtful advice. I may not always take his advice, but I always appreciate it.
Dad, I am so fortunate to have your support. Thanks for being in my corner.
Greg.
When I first told my boyfriend at the time, Greg, that I was thinking of leaving my job to start my own business, he was hesitant. He works in B2B sales and was continuously speaking with business owners who were struggling in this economy. He told me about his concerns, and also told me that was the only time he would do so, and that he would support me no matter what I decided.
He stuck to that promise. He was nothing but amazingly positive and supportive since that first conversation. He saw me at my worst, when I was questioning my decision, unsure whether I could do this, and frustrated with various processes. He listened, understood, and empathized with me. I truly don’t think I would have made it through the first 6 months without him by my side. Although we are no longer together, I truly appreciate his support.
My Friend, Colleague, and Client Leslie.
I met Leslie Newhall over the phone many years ago, when she interviewed me for a position that she had actually already filled. We hit it off so well that over the following 6-7 years, we kept in touch and she regularly tried to recruit me for different positions until finally the stars aligned and we worked together for a couple of years. When she left her role as Director of HR, I stepped into her big shoes and loved the challenge of filling them (she had prepped me well).
Since I started my business, she has been extremely supportive, from taking time to bounce ideas off, to introducing me to other contacts, and even becoming my first official client, hiring me to develop training programs at the company she works at now.
Thank you Leslie. Your support means the world to me.
Who’s in your corner?
Who is in your corner? Do they realize how much you appreciate them?
I know I haven’t told my family and friends often enough how much they mean. I will make a concerted effort to make sure they know how thankful I am for them from now on.