Two years ago, I started a business online. It was a side hustle that complemented my salary as I was not ready to leave my 9-5 yet. Also, the income was far from what I needed to sustain my lifestyle, and so there was no way I was going to leave employment just yet.
Small Business Owner
After running my little joint on the side for a year and seeing lots of progress, I left my 9-5 to build my empire. And create time for travel too as I am a sucker for adventure. To say the least, I did not fully get into this venture expecting roses and hugs, but it has been more challenging than I thought initially. Still, I would not trade this experience for anything.
These are the lessons I have learnt this far.
Money is Never Enough
I think it’s fair to say that you are unlikely to have enough money when starting a business – unless you are a trust-fund kid, maybe? I didn’t expect to make too much in the first two years but I knew I could expand just a little. I did that but it left me so broke I almost mortgaged my house. Luckily, I have trust-fund kids for friends and they came in with loans that kept me on my feet.
I’ll Sleep when I Die
This line is not a lie! I thought I could sleep in just a little now that I didn’t have to drive half a mile to work every morning but boy was I wrong! Businesses require lots is dedication and as such, I find myself being up at odd hours fulfilling orders and preparing for the next day. Six hours at best is what I get – on a good night – but regularly, I have learnt to contend with 4.5. Terrible, I know! Doesn’t help that I do almost everything myself.
Skills over Skills
I will be the first to admit I am not very techy, and so anything too complex I outsource. However, if Google has a solution, there is no way I am paying a dime – at least until I try it out. I wasn’t even going to try a DIY website and so a web development services took a chunk of my money. Best money spent, though, as I have been making enough use of social media, thanks to this killer site. I am yet to start delegating as my business is still small, and so I have learnt essential financial management tips online that I intend to keep growing.
Information Overload and Anxiety
I don’t know if anyone else suffers anxiety the same way I do, but boy is it real! Things change everyday and so what you knew last week could be obsolete the next. I always feel anxious when I realize how much I have to learn every day. I am yet to come up with a system that allows me to keep updating and expending my knowledge but I will, and maybe I will conquer this anxiety.
Rewarding to the Core
Has this journey been easy? Not at all! Rewarding? Certainly. I might add here that I haven’t travelled outside my state in a year but I am still hopeful. Here’s to all the struggling entrepreneurs!