5 Things I love about running my own business
Imagine the kind of day where you choose when you start work, have time in the morning to execute a proper morning routine, have meetings with inspirational business owners. You feel inspired throughout the day and have enough time to pursue things other than work. Sound good?
Ever since I started Chutzpah Creative, I realised that even as the hustle of the first year felt like it was going to burn me out, the months that followed turned out to be some of the most fulfilling and enjoyable ones I’ve experienced.
Starting a business is hard, don’t get me wrong. You have to establish a client base, build your product or service, test out what works and what doesn’t work and bring yourself into a space where uncertainty might follow you every hour. It’s the path that leads to something good or, well, it’s a lesson learned. In any case, entrepreneurship is one of those things that genuinely bring fulfilment because every single day, you’re doing what you love to do! The time, effort, and love that goes into everything is a huge reward and something I do not take for granted.
Three years of full-time business has been incredible and taught me so much! I thought I’d list the things that have been plus points for me and my lifestyle. There are negatives like I said before, but that post is for another day!
People you get to meet: This is #1 for me.
One of the things that makes me happy is meeting inspirational people, and believe me; the business world is FULL of humans who are absolutely, mind-blowingly talented. Go to one networking event, and you’ll meet at least one person whose ideas and business acumen inspire the heck out of you! Not just that, most experienced entrepreneurs I’ve met are risk-takers, willing to try new things, always focussed and equipped with an array of life lessons unique to their journey. I’ve met mentors, business operators, teachers, innovators and big dreamers willing to challenge the status quo and improve on something. I always leave these encounters buzzing with newfound energy, and I’ve found that I implement something different in how I approach my own business after these meets!A plethora of opportunities
In the past, in the span of a single month I’ve had the opportunity to onboard a life coach, the founder of a not-for-profit organisation, coordinator of community mission driven programs, a healthcare service provider and a PhD student looking at creating a new service!
Researching different business backgrounds, understanding what stage the business is at, understanding the goals and visions of the founders I work these, all these are pivotal parts of the process that I enjoy so much! It’s crazy how much energy goes into preparation and research for each new client, and I feel lucky that this is something that is so exciting for me. When it comes to having a niche, I’d say my strength is working with businesses that are in between the launch and growth phase of their business. Apart from this, I can truly say I am industry agnostic. If there is a clear vision and mission, and the team is positive, enthusiastic and ready to learn, it’s game on!
3. Flexibility - time and location freedom
An online business is one of those things that affords you location freedom like nothing else! As long as you’re thethered to high speed internet (thank you Optus & my beloved Apple iPhone) no place is off limits! You can pretty much work anywhere including gardens, on the grass, under trees, in co-working spaces, cafes, libraries, courtyards, your own office at home or in corporate offices. There’s also the bit where you can choose the hours you work. Want to create a four hour week like Tim Ferris? Try it out. Feel like taking Fridays off? You absolutely can! Organising your time in a different way from the usual 9-6, 5 days a week work week is totally doable, and this is one of those things I freaking love about having my own small business.
There are times when you might not want to take too much on, for health reasons, travel reasons or family reasons. Whatever that might look like that for you, creating a sustainable business allows you the time for living - because, hey - there is so much more to life than work! I’m obsessed with my work, and I truly love it, but I’ve lived enough to know that a fulfilling life is a holistic one - one that allows connection, community, nature, art, hobbies, selfceare and wellness and the nurturing of family and relationships.
4. Profits and income
There are no limits on how much you can earn while running your business. While it's always a work in progress, setting money goals is easier when you have your own business that has systems to contain and execute those goals. Different profit goals require other systems and additional team members, depending on what you want to accomplish and how you want to do it, but here's the thing - the only limit on what you can achieve in your business is in your mind; it's totally and entirely up to you. A steady job offers a regular paycheck, but a business's opportunities are extraordinary. You can consider philanthropy, further education, helping your family, travel and anything else your lifestyle would include! I think it's truly powerful.
5. Mission and leadership driven work
Let this be said - to be in business is to experience one of the most influential and life-changing self-development courses ever! It’s all about taking action, learning, growing, failing fast and maturing into a better entrepreneur every single day. To do this work is to be aligned with your highest Self. It’s leadership at its finest. Before you lead your clients or your team, you must learn to lead yourself. I love this part of the business because I’m constantly challenged, always set to look at my past Self and ready to move into new territory. What was once scary becomes the norm, and there’s always a new mountain to climb. I’m grateful for the chance to experience this! My mission is all about helping businesses thrive in this new age of storytelling, and I can’t wait for the rest of this wild ride.