Learning to Let Go | How to Survive the Entrepreneurial Journey

"Every day is a fresh start" is what I've been drilling in my head since I left my previous full time job in September 2016. Last year around this time, I was living out my personal styling dreams at Trunk Club. A place that I thought I'd still be calling home until God decided to switch gears on me.

Fast forward to this year and just like clock work, I'm back in the same boat. Two weeks ago, I decided my time was up at my former job working as an executive assistant for a local designer. It had to have been the most uncomfortable feeling I've ever felt in a long time. I never had to leave a job before. After googling a few tips, I typed up my resignation letter and sealed it in an envelope. The following week, I asked my boss if we could speak in private and I broke the news to her. I had no idea what I was doing or what was next but I knew I had to go.

Friday, September 8th was my last day and I felt rejuvenated and hella pressed to have some free time to work on me and my business. I'm not fully unemployed though. I actually picked up a part time job as a receptionist at a spa just to make ends meet until I'm financially prepared to work for myself. The same day I left, I headed straight to an interview for another part-time position and GOT THE JOB! And guess what. The pay rate was exactly the same as what I was receiving as an assistant. God knew that having one part time job just wasn't enough for me to get where I needed to be.

Working as a full time entrepreneur is my ultimate end goal. I know it won't be an easy process but there are definitely some things that I plan to do to help get me there.

Want to find out how I plan to survive the crazy entrepreneurial journey? Keep reading.

Never say Never

The world is full of opportunities that are just waiting for us to take advantage of! Sometimes we find them on our own and other times God places them right in front of us. But it's up to us to decide what choice to make.

Yes, there are opportunities in my life that I wish I would have taken but I am a firm believer in everything happening for a reason. I'm learning to trust my instinct and God. But I have learned that if an opportunity is meant for you than it will work out. And if not, something bigger and better is definitely coming. But until then, I try to say "yes" to almost every opportunity that comes by way that of course is related to what I do and that will get me closer to my end goal.

Be Uncomfortable

As I mentioned above, I was extremely uncomfortable leaving my assistant job behind. I'm swimming in student loans, I'm still living at home and I'm just barely making enough money to get by but I knew my time was up. Even though I couldn't technically see it, I knew God had another plan for me.

I used to catch an attitude and get all worked up when things weren't going as I planned (and I still do sometimes) but everything that you hope and pray for isn't meant for you. You have to step out of your comfort zone sometimes to gain a blessing. Sometimes you have to do the total opposite of what you want to do just to get where you want to be. No it's not fair but it's definitely rewarding in the end.

Ask for Help

I'm probably the most stubborn person I know and that's a fact. But when I'm at a point where I feel like I can't do or give anything else, I simply ask for help. And I say simply because it's just that. One of the most simple things to do. Not everybody you ask for help from will be willing to help you and some of them may not even respond but at least you tried. At least you stepped out of your comfort zone and let them know that you admire what they do and need some guidance.

I'm the type of person that thinks I can do everything on my own. But it's nothing like being guided in the right direction by someone whose already been in the same situation as you. I'm sure the person you're reaching out to eventually asked for help too.

Invest

Investing in yourself and your business is the most important thing you could ever do as a business owner. Over the past year, I've personally learned that everything isn't an investment and every investment isn't everything. What does that even mean?

Well, when you want to invest in something you have to make sure that it is the right investment for you. You don't want to be broke after putting all your money into something that won't even benefit you in the long run. Do your research. You have to make sure that what you're planning to invest in is worth the investment. What will you lose? What will you gain? How will it effect your business in the future? These are questions I always ask myself when deciding whether to invest in something.

Plan Ahead

I write EVERYTHING DOWN. And if I don't, it doesn't get done.

I've always been organized but college really took my OCD (I haven't been diagnosed yet) and the perfectionist in me to the next level. Every night, I take out my planner/journal and write down everything that I plan to accomplish the following day. A lot of the information is redundant as far as posting on social media or working on my blog. I make sure that these tasks are completed each day so that I get in the habit of being consistent. Consistency is key when it comes to owning a brand and business!

Network

NETWORK. NETWORK. NETWORK. Networking is a blessing and a curse. At least for me. There aren't many fashion related events that happen in Baltimore, so I tend to travel to D.C or other surrounding ares for most events. The commute from Baltimore to D.C is an hour so the event definitely has to be worth the travel.

But how do you know that it's worth it?

Well, you have to do your research! Stalk the people that you know will be in attendance. Look at their website. Learn about what they've done and who they know. Make sure you know their names so that you can introduce yourself when you run into them at the event. Make sure you have plenty of business cards on hand to pass out to those people who you could potentially collaborate with. And make sure you get their business cards as well. If they don't have one, follow them on social media. You want to be able to follow up with them after the event so that they remember who you are. It's all in the follow up!

Even if you don't get any business cards, make sure you gain some kind of knowledge from the event. It can be something like a marketing tool to use for social media or even an upcoming fashion event that could be taking place in your city. Always be sure to bring a pen and notebook to take notes. Like I mentioned before, I write EVERYTHING DOWN.

These are just a few tips that I live by in order to survive this crazy entrepreneurial journey that I am on. It's all about trial and error and having a solid strategy. If you map out your goals and plan accordingly, something is destined to come out of it.

Some of the things that help me, may not help the next person so comment below and let me know the advice your live by that keep you level headed during your journey!

Photographer: Crystal Brooks (@crystalaegeanb)