I love hearing about people who are keeping it real.
The ones who are juggling this crazy thing called life, and a family, all while growing their business, their way.
Because the truth is, it’s not all rainbows and unicorns all of the time.
But it is worth it in the end.
In the #RealLifeBiz interview series, I talk to some of my favourite people about how they do what they do.
And this week we are talking to… me!
“Wait, Sam, isn’t it a bit wanky to be interviewing yourself?”
I almost didn’t… I was worried what people would think. But the thing is, I’ve learnt a hell of a lot about “the juggle” over the last year, and I’ve really had to change my mindset about what I want, and what’s possible.
So here’s an insight.
So, what do you?
I help people create amazing courses.
The format of that looks different for every client.
Sometimes I’m doing the tech set up and uploading their existing content
Sometimes I’m reviewing and auditing their content
Sometimes I’m creating content for them
Sometimes I’m creating course outlines from their book or existing content
Sometimes I’m creating government accredited content and assessment for larger courses.
It all depends on where they need the help.
How Long Have You Been Doing It?
It depends on what you call “it”.
I opened my first business over 11 years ago.
I started selling content and coaching 9 years ago.
But I moved into being completely self employed and helping small business owners in one way or another at the end of 2012.
What Does Balance Look Like or Mean to You?
I’ve given up on balance to be honest, and prefer to use the term “focus”
Some days the focus is on family.
Some days the focus is on business
Some days the focus is on just getting by.
The wonderful thing about focus, is you can pick and choose at any time. You can direct your focus towards one thing for 10 min and then change to something else.
What does a normal week include?
Mondays are Mum-days. I have 4 kids, 3 who live with me at the moment, 1 goes to school, and the little 2 stay home. This means my Mondays are full of feeding, playing and nappy changes.
Tuesday through Friday the tornado of toddler goes to day care, and I work around the youngest.
And on Fridays I get a solid day of work.
Of course, between that, there is all the school drop off and pick up, play dates, grocery shopping, and taking the older 2 to and from my ex husbands place… and much more. A blended family always makes it extra interesting.
What’s the best thing about being your own boss?
For me, it’s the flexibility of time.
I get to do school drop off and pick up, I get to take the day off if the kids are sick, I get to squeeze things in during nap time, or after hours. It’s not always easy, but it’s convenient. Rather than having to ask permission from a boss to continually have time off, or find a job that allows me just to work school hours.
My kids aren’t my “why” as such, but being your own boss makes it much easier to balance looking after them and getting stuff done.
Plus, I’ve been my own boss for so long now, I don’t think I could tolerate being made to go to work between 9 and 5 (or some other arbitrary hours)
And what’s the worst?
It’s lonely.
It’s stressful
It’s difficult.
There’s no one to tell me what to do and when to do it (that’s definitely a pro and a con)
I have to rely on my own drive and motivation.
It’s not for everyone.
When times are good, how do you celebrate?
I don’t… not well. I tend to just roll on to the next thing.
If I’ve signed a big new client, or got good news I get a high five from hubby that night at dinner.
And if I’ve had a big month cashflow wise, then I use those funds to treat us.
But I must get better at finding a way to celebrate the good things.
When things are crappy, how do you handle it?
I sulk… I vent… and I’m just generally grumpy.
I also have a habit of avoiding the problem for as long as possible (which isn’t a good thing) so I tend to stress about it for longer than I should.
Whats the long term plan?
For the moment, the plan is to build a bank of resources to help people create their own courses, without needing my help.
Over the next 12 months that includes workbooks, workshops and lots of long form blog content.
Beyond that, I’m not sure yet. These last couple of years have been a time of big change for me, and what we want to do in the future has shifted. It means my business goals will shift too.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone getting started in the business?
“Do or do not, there is no try”
Ok, so I have a sneaky suspicion that someone might have given that advice before me…
But there is merit to it.
If you are going to “try” to start your own business, you are going to struggle
If you are going to “try” and create your own course, you are going to struggle
Because you just have to commit. Throw yourself into something, give it your all. Do it.
And if it fails, that’s ok. Get up, dust off and go again (or move on)
But you’ve got to do more than just try.