Recently on facebook, someone asked the question “When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?” Hmmm…when I was a little girl I wanted to be a bank teller, doctor, ballerina and a model. Not all of those things I think and definitely in no particular order.
I did study ballet for a few years and I did model. I thought I wanted to be a pediatrician however, after failing the MCAT, I decided that once was enough. Once I graduated from college and eventually graduate school I was slowly but surely realizing that I didn’t want to work for anyone…ever!
That would become clearer after my first child was born. I mean how could I leave that sweet little adorable chocolate baby with someone else while I go sit in a cubicle day dreaming about being at home? At that time in my life I wasn’t a single mommy, but it was not fairytale either. I got the entrepreneur bug and started my first business, failed, then started the next, failed again, then started the next. Can you tell that I don’t give up?
Did I also mention that I lived in a city, heck a state where I had no family and by this time my daughter now had a brother and the relationship with their father was over? I’ve been homeless, battled depression and had suicidal tendencies. Still not one to be defeated by circumstances, I kept moving forward. This isn’t some rags to riches story; it is one of perseverance and commitment.
Commitment to living the life that I was designed to live. I’ve seen others come from worse circumstances than I and have massive success in life and I asked the question, “If they can do it what about me?” I speak to women everyday who would love to start a business but they allow their alibis to stop them. You’ve heard them before and may have even said them yourself.
“I don’t have any time”
“I can’t afford to start a business”
“My kid(s) take all my time”
“I’m too old”
“I’ve tried to do something like that before and it didn’t work”
“I don’t know how to do anything”
….and any other alibis that you’ve heard.
I had no income when I started my business but I get a loan from a family member. I had started in business before and failed…miserably but I was willing get the skills I needed to succeed this time. My kids did take up a lot of my time, hello single mom here! But I created a schedule that worked for my family where they never felt neglected. You see I didn’t make any excuses, couldn’t afford to.
I also made a decision that I NEVER thought I’d make and that was to move back home with my kids to live with my mom and sisters. Now that took faith, patience, and trust. What I discovered is that it was the best decision for my family at this point in the journey. My chocolate drops get the benefit of being with family and my mom loves seeing her grand babies every day.
I am literally building my business from the kitchen table and my laptop. My chocolate drops love their school and I get to help my clients reach their goals and more importantly live better lives. I couldn’t have done this if I didn’t get over all the crap that I allowed myself to believe for the longest time and I’m so thankful that I did.
I realize that every one doesn’t have the benefit of a welcoming family but the point is that I had to put my ego aside and do what was going to bring me closer to living the life that I was designed to live, while building a profitable business and raising my beautiful children on my terms. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Golda Smith is a single mom who is building her “Business From The Kitchen Table” and enjoys working with other moms to get them into the happy zone and living the lives they were meant to live! She has a FREE report entitled “5 Ways To Talk To People About Your Business Without Ever Picking Up The Phone”. Don’t listen to another dial tone, get this NOW!
I understand that need to “put your ego aside”. In my case, it was selling the home that my grandmother left to me – the house that had been “home” to our family for nearly 50 years. Sentimental value is very much a value, but it wasn’t a value that was putting food on the table or paying the bills. Selling that house and investing in our business was the right thing to do.
I really needed to read this post right now. There is so much stress going on in my life related to financial matters and things are really hard. Luckily, I have the support of my husband who doesn’t want me to give up my dream of working from home online. I want the best of both worlds–to be home with my beautiful son and earn an income from home with my skills. Recently I feel like I’m being told, “You can’t always get what you want. Give up and go get a regular job like everyone else.” I need to fight that voice when I hear it. I know what I’m doing now will ultimately bring in the income my family needs. I have to power through this. I should be thankful that I have a supportive husband and healthy child right now!
Hey Golda, sounds like you are really going for it. It’s only those people that keep going in the same direction that really succeed in life. I wish I had your perseverance. I am sure your business will thrive evantually. Keep working on it.
Being a doctor is one of the things that I aspire when I was a kid. But then I realize of the years and expense of studying medicine so I change my point of view. Building business seems different priority for me. It is good that Golda was successful in building her business using her laptop. Maybe I should learn how to build a business myself and thanks for the inspirational story.