It’s a big, life-changing question. But the answer, and what you do with that answer, could change your world completely! Personally, I have always wanted to have my own business. I just didn’t know what I wanted to do. But after picking up work as the editor of two e-newsletters during Maternity Leave, the idea just came to me. If I could help out other time-poor community organisations and small business owners doing something I loved, it had to be a win-win situation. Especially when it meant being my own boss and having flexibility around my young family. Returning to full-time work simply wasn’t for me. I headed back into the workforce three days a week when Gabi was nine months old. Thankfully I had the support of family, so childcare didn’t need to be investigated into at the time. But I discovered what many other women find when they head back to work part-time after Maternity Leave. I still had the same full-time work. I just had to squeeze it all into part-time hours. I was stressed and felt like I was letting down my team as well as my family when I came home and snapped at them. I gave it a shot for six months, but then realised it wasn’t going to work anymore if I wanted to have a happy family – and a happy me!

So I made the decision to start my own business. Did I know what I was doing? Absolutely not! Was I scared? Of course! But I decided to take the plunge and I haven’t looked back.

I admit that it’s helped to have a secure client that I am contracted to work for three days a week. In addition to the e-newsletters I was already doing. So if there is the option to obtain something like that before leaving your employer, then I do recommend it. However, along my business journey I have met so many amazing people in my local community so I am sure that, with a bit of hard work, I could have built up a regular and stable client base from scratch if I needed to. What are some things that I have learnt along the way? Here is a little list –

• Go with your gut instinct and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.
• Seek a business coach if you start to become overwhelmed at any point.
• Start small and focus on only a couple of specialties – so that you can perfect them.
• Join online small business communities on Facebook.
• Become acquainted with your local council and any free courses or seminars that they offer.
• Just because it doesn’t seem plausible now, doesn’t mean that you won’t get there in the future.
• Networking is the most effective way of attracting new business.
• Getting a mentor and/or joining a mastermind group is beyond beneficial.
• Everything happens for a reason.

If even the thought of starting your own business has crossed your mind, for whatever reason, then I highly recommend looking into it. I’m not saying that it’s going to be easy, but if the ultimate outcome is to feel satisfied, love the work you do, and have flexibility around your family, then surely it’s worth a shot? Check out Business Connectfor more information on getting started. I wish you all the best on your journey. And, of course, if you need any assistance with writing copy for your new website or blogging, then feel free to contact me!