Time to get personal
One of the bravest decisions I could have possibly made in my life and career was quitting my job to start my own business. I was the Digital Marketing Manager at a leading software development company for 7 years. I worked on leading brands, helped build new brands and launched incredible products and solutions. It was amazing, I worked with extremely intelligent people and learnt so much in such a short time. So why did I leave? Because I had a vision of what I wanted to do and I knew I had to create the opportunity rather than wait for it!
I didn’t give the idea of starting my own business any thought, the idea came to me at 11pm on a Thursday night and I went to bed at midnight. I woke up the next morning, went to the office and straight to my CEO where I graciously resigned. I came home that afternoon feeling nervous yet extremely excited! A new journey awaited me and I was thrilled. The thought of finances scared me but I also knew I was great at hustling and I would make it happen!
It’s been 15 months since launching Mashup Marketing and not only have I been involved with digital marketing solutions but also multiple software and mobile development projects on the go; working with brands in London, San Francisco and Australia. Helping small businesses grow their brand online is my passion and it’s incredibly rewarding.
So, what’s the moral of this story?
Opportunities don’t come knocking on your door very often. If you have a goal, a dream or a vision of where you want your life to go then you have to create the path to achieving it. You’ve got to build your dream because no one else is going to do it for you. Whether you want to start your own business, change career paths or invent a new product, just do it.
Having a business plan and mapping the road ahead is important but the most important thing is starting. If you’re going to spend months trying to craft this plan before actually doing it then it’s probably never going to happen. You can’t plan and account for every strength or weakness, those things change all the time. Have an idea? Then just take the risk and leap straight into it, you will figure it out as you go along. If you’re scared of failing, don’t be! You’re supposed to fail at certain things, how else will you learn and grow.
Networking is crucial. Meet likeminded people, attend networking events and put yourself out there. Look for a mentor, not just a person who’s a serial entrepreneur worth millions but just someone who’s on the other end of your goal. My goal was simple – I wanted the freedom to work from home so I could build my family and spend time with my daughter whilst working and making money! I have achieved that. My next goal is to grow my company with new clients and make my first hire. It’s an opportunity I have to create, not wait for!
What does she know?
I know many might think, but what does she know? I hear you! I haven’t been doing this whole “entrepreneur” thing for a very long time but if there’s one thing I know for sure is that opportunities don’t come around too often and if you want something, anything out of life then it is your right and your responsibility to make it happen. Is it difficult? Yes! Is it scary? Of course. Is it achievable? Most definitely.
