By Today I published my official work website, which to me means the business is really real. If you go back in time (to the first blog entry), you’ll see my plan was to retire or semi-retire and find myself. I continue to work on finding myself. I did find that I wasn’t ready to retire, that’s for sure. I knew I had more I wanted to create. I knew I enjoyed the work, that was never the issue. The issue was not fitting in anymore in a corporate environment where overhead lights suck your life a way (this is a reference to Joe versus the Volcano – classic movie). That’s not to say I will never go to work for another company (never say never). For now, at this moment, I’m enjoying the freedom of my own business.
As an entrepreneur, I can decide my own hours, which clients to work with and how much I want to work. Of course there is vulnerability in being out on my own. I am at the mercy of my clients/prospects. If they don’t hire me, I don’t work. Which means that after about a year of doing this as a lark, I’ll officially write a business plan and actually take this more seriously… maybe. I am having fun and I want this company to represent who I am…and to prove to myself and others that you can be who you are and be successful.
And just like when Amanda and I started the bakery, I’m learning all sorts of things I didn’t know, which I LOVE.
Things I’ve had to figure out:
- found a time tracking system and set it up for my projects
- found an online accounting system
- created an invoicing system
- found an online business bank
- connected the bank and accounting system
- created an LLC
- secured insurance
- created a statement of work
- and finally – got some clients…and started delivering Mary solutions
I did all of the above without a website. I grew my business with a post or two on LinkedIn. The last few months as I reflect on what I’ve done, I’ve thought I need to be more serious about this endeavor. In my mind there are three things to left to do: build a website, get a logo and write a business plan. I’m sure there’s more than those three things, but I don’t want to bite off more than I can chew.
First on my list was the website – ta da – https://www.orangewhipsriskadvisors.com/
Thank goodness for all the technology that exists today! I literally sent a text to my niece asking her about Wix (the website creation platform) yesterday at 11:30 am. And Voila. I have a site built. It is a work in progress that will evolve as I get feedback, but wow! To me that is amazing. I put this site together, with multiple pages and pictures and all sorts of goodies. All by myself.
What makes me laugh is how I handled this. I apparently have an M.O. for any project I tackle. This website build followed each step. First, I get super excited and dive in. Then, in the middle of the project, I panic and feel like it’s not going to work out. Next step is to walk away, take some deep breaths (or sleep on it). Finally, start afresh with an improved outlook/attitude and power through any problems. Succeed. Walk a way with my head held high, either laughing or at least grinning at my antics.
If you ever work with me (hopefully), you’ll see each step. And now that I know, I can at least grit my teeth in panic mode and know that it’s just a step in the process.
#WINNING
(and this is me winning somewhere in Eastern Europe when I hiked up a mountain that I wasn’t sure about.)
