It’s 2015 and I finally made the decision to do my business full time. Why? Several reason swirl around in my mind but they all seem to focus on a better future for myself and my family. I have been doing marketing and administration for years for family, friends and even at my church but I never had the courage to step out and build on what I already knew how to do. Yes, I did the research and wrote the business plan but my mind was constantly bombarded with a laundry list of why it wouldn’t work, couldn’t work or shouldn’t work. I had all my excuses lined up as to why I, a single mother, wouldn’t succeed as an entrepreneur. Well, that was until I started teaching my three girls about what it means to be an entrepreneur. That’s when my part time side gig took flight.

I am writing this post only days after announcing that my website is live. That in itself was an amazing task. What did I do to go from fear to faith? How did I decide to walk away from a full time job as a single mother? In 2014, I began teaching my two daughters and my little sister about entrepreneurship. I challenged them to create their own businesses, come up with basic budgets and have fun doing something that interests them. They brainstormed for a short time before their imaginary dam broke and ideas flooded their mouths. You can only imagine how it must have sounded with three preteen girls talking with excitement. lol. My youngest wanted to create bows, my oldest wanted to create crafts from duct tape and my sister wanted to create natural body scrubs. They were eager to move forward and began getting supplies almost immediately.

This first step that my girls took made me reminisce on the times that I sat writing out my business plan and throwing out ideas about what kind of business I could start. Can you remember the first time you began planning out your business goals in a childlike manner? Without thinking about where the money would come from or about how you would find the time? Just daydreaming about the possibilities and opportunities awaiting your decision to move forward? Then the adult in us rose up and stomped on our dreams like some angry ogre. Well today is the day that you pluck the ogre in it’s eye and make it going away crying and whimpering. (I have a bit of an imagination)

Take a hold of your dreams today! Move forward with your vision by taking the opportunity to dream without limits. That’s it! That was the first step in moving forward with my business full time. I had to get out of my own head and experience starting a business through the eyes of a child. It was fun because it allowed me to freely plan my business and look at opportunities in a optimistic view. I had the freedom to leave behind what an adult would say is impossible or not profitable in order to focus on doing what I enjoy, networking and encouraging entrepreneurs. What will business can you start this year when you allow your inner child to think freely?

“And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:2-4 ESV)

#EmpoweredEntrepreneurs

Start brainstorming about your business whether you have already started one or are still in the thinking process.

1. If money were not an option how big of a business would you like to have?

2. Describe the ideal client.

3, What one thing would you do for the rest of your life if it was profitable?

4. When would you like to retire?

5. How much would you like to be paid for your service or product?