Going into year 3 with doors closed
Wow, three years already. Never in a million years did I expect to be where I am going into year three. Never did I expect year three I would be entering into it with my doors temporarily closed and with the future so unknown to the business world. To say I’ve learned a lot in the last three years would be an understatement.
Here are my top 5 lessons i’ve learned in three years of business:
Comparison will destroy you: Comparison will creep in at any moment and it will tell you that you aren’t good enough. But, that’s not true. Just because someone is doing something different than you doesn’t mean that they’re better than you. And vice versa. When someone else succeeds, that doesn’t mean you failed. When you let comparison take over, it starts to steal all your joy, creativity and effect your mental health. Don’t let that happen, friend.
Stay in your own lane: When you start a business, you have a specific skill set that you bring to the table. Each person has their own touch that they bring to their business. When you start your business trying to look exactly like someone else, you won’t get very far. Don’t be afraid to be you. Discover who that is and stay in your lane. It’ll take you far.
Be kind: finding peers to support and encourage your business will take you so far. So many of my customers are my friends. I built these friendships out of kindness and they can see my true personality through my business. Being kind to others will take you far. There are times where people will wrong you. How you respond is a true test of character. Kindness takes you places judgment can’t.
Make friends: I’ve said this a few times before, but making friends has been invaluable to my business. They refer their friends to my business, they buy products from my shop, they help me get speaking engagements, they support me, they promote me, etc. Friendships with peers in any industry is invaluable. Find your friends and keep them close! And don’t forget to sing their praises, send people their way, and support them too! And Bonus, you can never have enough friends.
Stay true to yourself: when you are surrounded by people who may want to see you fail, that your not needed in this town, it can be easy to want to change who you are or your business to look more like a different business that you perceive to be more successful than your own. Don’t do that, Take time to develop your story and be confident in business YOU are building.
It is a terrifying time. People aren’t working, businesses are having to close there doors, businesses that are essential are having to lay off staff with lack of work or because things have slowed down. Take this time as a sign to re grow yourself as a person, your career, relationship, business and crush some goals. Plan for the future in a POSITIVE way. Obstacles don’t have to stop you, don’t give up, figure out how to climb it and go through it.
Check in on your fellow staff members, your neighbours, friends, and family. It does not take long to send a text or make a phone call. Catch up with the ones you have lost touch with. We are in fact, all in this together.
Xo Kenny
