CRAVE Chat: The Life of an Entrepreneur

You know you are a true entrepreneur if you start a business, lose everthing and are willing to start over and do it all again!

Last week I was invited by my friend Danielle Fontus to attend a CRAVE Chat. CRAVE is a  global community resource for women connecting savvy business owners through online networks and in-person events. They host business chats, symposiums, and other fabulous parties that bring together smart, successful business owners who support each other and together discover new, innovative ways to boost their businesses.

As the event drew closer excuses started popping up. Uuuhh, I don’t think I can go.. I’m too busy, I’m broke, I don’t have a cute outfit to wear.. blah blah blah. But at the last minute I said what the heck, maybe I’ll actually learn something so I made time out of my busy schedule, hopped on the uptown F train and when I arrived, I realized this was the best decision I had made in a long time!

The event was held at In Good Company Workspaces, which provide private offices, dedicated desks, a shared co-working space, virtual office set up, and a variety of meeting and conference room rental options - perfect for the entrepreneur who prefers to work in an office environment as opposed to the living room sofa.

I was very impressed with the host of speakers which included Jessica Drummond, MPT, CHC; a health, hormone and nutrition educator for mothers and daughters; Nisha Moodley, founder of Fierce Fabulous and Free; and Inna Shamis Lapin of Avant Guard Communications. I felt empowered to be in a room full of successful women and I hung on their every word. After brief introductions, the chat begin. The first question was "How did you know you were ready to take the leap from 9-5 to entrepreneur?" Some of the answers that surfaced included:

• I’m a PASSIONATE person
• Corporate life was not right for me, I refused to drink the KoolAid
• I fell into it by accident 
• Job cuts forced me into it
• I love my job but felt there is something more; I needed something different
• I’m a hustler baby!

Suddenly I was fully alert. I could relate to these women. When I made the move to NYC a year ago, I started doing freelance projects while seeking full-time employment. I was very frustrated sending out resume after resume and getting excited about countless interviews that fizzled into nothing. That's when I started to think outside the box and realized, I already have a job, why am I looking for one? 


I gained a lot of valuable information at this Chat and wanted to share just a tad of what I learned along with some great links to resources. 

• Always surround yourself with people who believe in you. 
• Continue to learn, be an expert at what you do.
• Know your value and put a price tag on it - don’t be afraid to charge what you are worth. 
•  Network, mingle, meet people, and most of all, communicate - let people you are looking for new clients, what services you offer, etc.
• Make a conscience decision not to be overwhelmed – ask for help.
•  Get off Facebook! *Like*
• Don't roll outta bed and onto the sofa with your laptop (soooo guilty of this!). Shower, get dressed,  go set up shop in Starbucks or create a designated office in your home.
•  Say things aloud – "I am a smart, sexy, savvy business woman I can achieve whatever I want." Say it. Believe it. Achieve it.
• Paint a big picture of where you want to be - Set goals, have something to look forward to that is motivating (i.e., I will accomplish this by this date and will reward myself with a trip to Hawaii! – well, maybe just to Atlantic City but you get the picture)
• Be a $ugar Mama to your business
• Don’t’ try and go big all the time. Make time for family and friends. Relax and enjoy life.

There is no one formula; it is different for everyone so don’t obsess too much over structure and strategy. I think Inna of Avant Guard Communications said it best... “Follow the universe - everything happens for a reason. Follow your intuitions, go with your gut – everyone has the knowledge within themselves but you need to really tap into it. If the passion is there, you will make it happen.”

Move forward. Never give up. And remember, it takes years to become an overnight success!

Resources:

• Procrastinator? Hire a business coach
• Need some administrative help? Hire a virtual assistant
• Need help finding Mr. Right? Check out Single in Stilettos
• You’re in NY and your client is in LA - Schedule a webinar
• Hungry? Let's do lunch!  
• Need to outsource? How about a crowdsource
• Need someone to do your social media but you only have $5.. no problem! Check out Fiver.com 
• Want the world to know All About You? Create a profile in All About Me
• OK, I'm convinced! I think I have what it takes to be entrepreneur, but where do I start?  Start with a good book - The 4-Hour Workweek

 To find out where the next CRAVE chat is near you, visit thecravecompany.com/events