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Do you have an idea that is meant to be a thriving business?
Collect Experiences,
Not Riches
Since I was a small girl I have been colored as a passionate, free-spirit. Family historians commented on my ability to embrace extraordinary opportunities. While meandering through electrifying experiences during my years I was met by an eclectic group of mentors who lit my soul on fire. These collections of moments and people opened my heart to unique opportunities and quieted the bubbling murmurs of self-limiting thoughts.
As a girl I looked at sparkly new ventures as a chance to meet new people and learn new things- and I never factored “failure” or “what- ifs” into the equation. I do recognize that most people are not wired this way. I recognize that grounded, forward-focused people typically take an approach anchored with a well-thought-out blueprint. My gypsy-like navigation through life coupled with my “I can do anything” attitude were met with stumbling blocks. However, these stumbling blocks were not walls of resistance for me. They were the pages in which I learned the most valuable lessons.
During my entrepreneurial exploration sometimes I soared-and other times I stumbled. What has been constant in this entrepreneurial equation was my ability to get back up after setbacks, brush off my boots, and learn the lessons of my journey.
Needless to say, the fumbles along this path are now the teaching tools I impart to clients with a steady cadence. Through trial and error, I believe I have created a functional roadmap for you that offers you the opportunity to revolutionize your ideas and ultimately monetize this service or product.
My personal story began with a spark. I had just finished my Master’s Certification Life Coaching- and I became certain I wanted to practice this craft on a bigger scale. I recognized that coaching was my calling. Coaching was my Ikigai.
Coaching is my Ikigai.
What is “IKIGAI”? Ikigai is a Japanese concept that means "a reason for being". The word refers to having a direction or purpose in life, that which makes one's life worthwhile, and towards which an individual takes spontaneous and willing actions giving them satisfaction and a sense of meaning to life.
This mission, or Ikigai, is a primal calling from within- and I knew I was destined to live my life as a coach and lead the coaching industry with an authentic and innovative practice.
This entrepreneurial drive was sparked by a lightning bolt- and this revelation hit me all at once- I was an ENTREPRENEUR in the making. I needed to take this idea and make it a real, thriving business.
I approached this business idea with my usual “Figure- it- out- as- I- Go- Along- Style”. Spending countless hours basking the dimly lit glow of my computer, I educated myself on how to launch a coaching business online.
Google became my teacher as I learned how to distinguish myself from the multitudes of other coaches that crowded the world wide web. Podcasts became my touchstone as I drank the Kool-Aid of those hustlers who went before me.
I dove deep into Facebook and Instagram to understand algorithms and the advertising cycle. I experimented on different forms of social media. And I made mistakes. One error was that I concluded that Pinterest was an out-of-date platform and that it reaped little benefits. I failed to realize that Pinterest is a search engine (not a social media platform) that can be as powerful as Google.
My path of educating myself landed in the bowels of “YouTube”. I also taught myself how to edit and make videos. With scrappy determination I am proud to say I became a novice website designer. Perhaps my most satisfying accolade was when I taught myself how to create and market an online mastermind group. This became an extension of my practice and now boasts a nation-wide community of like-minded growth-seekers who meet weekly….... and the list continues.
Your Idea may begin as a spark. You need to fan this small flame and surround yourself with like-minded people that, perhaps, have walked ahead of you in your entrepreneurial journey.
To say that I was obsessed is an understatement. I spent days upon days lapping up every tip and trick to take my business to entrepreneurial oblivion. Through plucky ingenuity and a true belief in my skill set- my mission-based idea grew into a life-giving, full-time business in less than 1 year.
Does this sound impossible? I guarantee that this is the most possible thing you will ever do-- IF your idea is born out of love. If this quest is purpose -driven and not money- driven, you have the best chance to succeed. The bottom line is that because I was able to successfully launch my coaching business, I am doing what I am most passionate about--imparting wisdom and guiding people towards living the life they are meant to live.
Do you have a spark? If you have that feeling in your gut that you have an idea that will make a difference-do not let that tiny flame be extinguished. Take it to the next level, take it to a hustle. But do it the smart way.