This time last year, I was still working in my 9-to-5 job, caregiving for my grandmother, and hoping to make a major life change. After years spent searching for the perfect job, moving on to ones that paid more, promised growth, or offered me the flexibility I needed, I decided to go out on my own and create my dream job. In October 2022, I launched myself full-time into entrepreneurship after completing Camp Clarity with my business coach Diana Davis, and feeling as ready as I ever would be to bet on myself (I always say, if you won’t bet on yourself, why should anyone else?).
While I didn’t have all the answers when I made this decision (who ever does?), I was ready to take messy action and roll up my sleeves to find my niche and get clients. In the beginning, it all felt a bit glamorous—things like setting my hours, working from my favorite coffee shop, or implementing year-round “Summer Fridays” were all what I had planned when I started my business. I loved the flexibility, as I simultaneously navigated caregiver life, carved out time for myself, and started to build a business around my life. I implemented a lot of what I learned in Camp Clarity almost immediately—and it paid off.
For the first few months, I was in an enviable position where I could supplement my business with savings as I went out and landed more clients. But after months of paying an exorbitant amount for health insurance (which was almost as much as my rent) and the inevitable churn that happens when you work for yourself and rely on a client-based business, funding my business became more difficult. Still, I networked and hustled, reached out to potential clients, and made new connections at events.
But then my grandmother passed away, and keeping my focus on the business became all but impossible. I decided to permit myself to take a step back over the summer, feeling at some points demoralized and at other times just stuck in grief. When September rolled around, I planned a trip—my first trip out of the country in three years—which helped focus me. And when I landed back in the US, I got to work. That work meant drilling down on what I wanted to do and the kinds of people I wanted to do it with. In a way, I needed to go back to the basics, and that meant returning to the next round of Camp Clarity (which, fortunately, just kicked off).
There’s something about being in a room full of creatives that gives you life when you are a creative. There’s a palpable energy, a camaraderie that’s not competitive, and a supportiveness that can often be hard to find. While I loved my first round of Camp Clarity and feel I got a lot from it, having the opportunity to go through all of the modules again with a year of entrepreneurship under my belt will be even more beneficial this time around.
Over the last few months, I’ve been thinking up new offerings, dreaming up clients I’d love to work with, and putting myself out there in a whole new way. I’ve had so many ideas percolating in my head, and I’m looking forward to bringing them to life in 2024 with the help of this new Camp Clarity group.
So, what’s something I’ve learned during my first year of entrepreneurship? Honestly, I’ve learned a ton, but I think being open to pivoting is crucial. When I first launched my business, I started with a different name and was focused on the types of clients I wanted to work with. And while that’s important, sometimes you need to hang a shingle out and see who comes to you. The adage that your vibe attracts your tribe is so true! You may also discover that there are certain things you thought you’d like to do and don’t, so being able to pivot and change course will come in handy. And, sometimes, to do that, you need to go back to the drawing board, which is a little like what I’m doing now.
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