Since creating Lamplight Creatives, I’ve launched myself into the community from a totally different angle than ever before. This is my part 1 in the series: Confessions of a Business Owner.
It’s taken me a few months to realize that I’m not just a citizen anymore, I’m not just a professional, but that I’m a business owner. What I do everyday is helping to enhance the economic vitality of our communities. And that’s a big job.
I had no idea where this journey would take me, and still have no idea where I will ultimately land. But, as any good business owner should be, I’m flexible and open to all possibilities.
I’m getting used to saying ‘yes” when people ask me to be a part of things. I’ve had to step out of my comfort zone on more than one occasion and walk blindly into a meeting, event, or storefront in hopes that maybe something will present itself that will benefit the growth of Lamplight.
My job as a business owner never really stops. I don’t get to “clock out” at the end of the day.
I see things or think of things at all hours of the day and night that inspire me to grab my phone, pull up my notepad, and make a note of the idea before I lose it. My list on my notepad is growing very long.
As most small business owners, I wear many hats – sales, customer service, marketing, admin, budgeting, data collection. I don’t like to do all of those things, but I have to do them to stay on top of my business because no one will do it for me.
MY CONFESSION
In this new role, people often ask me, “How is it being self-employed? Do you love being your own boss?”
The answer to both of these questions is without a doubt that I LOVE IT. But, I’m not going to sugar coat it either. It’s scary and uncertain and downright hard sometimes.
The illusion of being self-employed is that you can do whatever you want, whenever you want, connect with the people you want to work with, not work with the ones you want to avoid.
This couldn’t be further from the truth.
The truth is, no one makes me get out of bed every day. Even if I have no place in particular to be, I still need to make moves in the direction of my goals. I can’t stay stagnant and expect my business will grow.
I’ve learned I have to be active and stay relevant in order to meet my next client. I’ve learned that I am the motivation behind my own actions, I am my own cheerleader, and I make business happen every day.
Every connection matters, and how I handle that connection directly impacts my namesake, my bottom line, and my reputation. Every interaction matters, and every first impression needs to be a good one.
Most of all, I’ve learned I’m the reason I will succeed or fail in business. And that’s a lot of pressure. But, I’m ready and willing to persevere because it’s a commitment I made to myself, to my business, and to my clients.
This is the first of many of my confessions of a business owner.