Feeling the fear
When I’m asked what drove me to start my own business, what comes to mind is a pretty straightforward answer: it’s something I’ve always wanted to do.
Even back when I was studying at university, a friend and I used to talk about how we could set up an accounting practice with a lunchtime running club! It’s been pretty rewarding to realise a dream of mine.
Since university I have had various experiences playing major parts in running a business and teams of people. I have assisted businesses in their start-up phases, and there really is nothing more exciting and challenging to go through. Those who know me well know I love a challenge!
Kindred.Co came about because I felt ready to take on the responsibility 100% on my shoulders.
As a new business owner I have a clear idea of how I like to do things, the speed at which I want to do them, and the way I want to communicate within a team.
But, excitement and achievement aside, it has to be said that this journey hasn’t been the easiest thing I’ve ever done, but that’s what makes it so rewarding: feeling the fear and doing it anyway.
When I first kicked things off, having no people around me was a challenge. I do enjoy my alone time but I also love to have a team around me, and lots of contact with people so I didn’t want excessive amounts of time by myself.
But that just became one of my goals: find people! I am lucky to have found a space on Seaview Rd with Pope & Co so I can have some “water cooler chats”, and I often work within an established office in Grenada. I also have a great support network around me.
As the saying goes; no risk, no reward. Right now I’m feeling as though the hard work is starting to pay off. I genuinely love all of the clients I am working with and I can hand pick people who are drawn to me and me to them. My energy levels have increased, the ideas are flowing faster than I can implement them, and I’ve found that I’m not agonising over the things that I thought would cause the biggest headaches.
My journey of owning my own business has only just begun, but here a few tips that I thought would be helpful if you’re considering taking the same leap of faith:
Always allow for more time and money than you think you need.
Ask for help when you need it, it can be a big job and sometimes its just less stressful if you have many hands. You will be surprised how many people are willing to help for the love of it when they can see how passionate you are, and they want you to succeed.
Talk to professionals to make sure you have included everything in your start up plan and budget. A different pair of eyes can spot things you haven’t thought of, and it gives you more confidence.
Set up how you intend to go on, where possible and budget allows. It can be very disruptive changing over technology systems anytime, but especially when you are growing and may have limited manpower and resources. It is much easier to get it right at the start than to change down the track.
Talk to other people in your industry who have been through it, you will always be able to find someone who has an abundance mentality, that is not afraid to share their tips and experiences with you, it is so valuable being able to relate exact scenarios emulated in your experiences
Running your own business requires time, patience and a heck of a lot of willpower, but it’s an incredibly rewarding and freeing journey that (eventually) gives back just as much as you put in.
Lisa-Jean Foote
June 3, 2019
