Since I was a little red-headed girl, I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up – a business owner. I didn’t know what kind of business I wanted to own. I just knew that I wanted to be the boss.
When I was a too young to get a job, I experimented with many business ideas; a neighborhood newspaper for kids, putting on plays and carnivals in the back yard, crappy craft sales and as I got older, babysitting. In 1998, with more than a decade of salon management and business to business sales experience behind me, I made the hard choice to quit my job with Aveda and realize two dreams; finishing my degree in Entrepreneurship at WSU and starting a business development consulting practice, Creative Solutions.
My mother, who only wants to protect me, immediately sent me this article about entrepreneurial terror when I told her what I was thinking. (Thanks Mom!) While it scared the bejesus out of me, I persevered.
Next year I will celebrate 20 years in business as Creative Solutions, helping other people start and grow their own businesses. While, owning my business (now two with the Finishing School) certainly is a roller coaster, being in charge of my own destiny is still exactly where I want to be. The rewards that go way beyond compensation, are well worth it. Besides, there are lots of actions to take to overcome entrepreneurial terror.
I don’t know why it took me over a year to come up with the idea to offer a class on entrepreneurship at the Finishing School! Helping open businesses like Planet Hair, Tanya’s Soup Kitchen, Donut Whole, Songbird Juice Co and many others has taught me a lot about what it takes to be a successful boss lady and what to consider before boarding the entrepreneurial roller coaster.
Have I scared you off yet? Are you still thinking about starting your own business or already have? Maybe this incredible, crazy entrepreneurial calling is for you too! Come to our Enterprising Woman class on Wednesday, May 31 and find your inner Boss Lady.