We’ve all had that aha moment.
For me, it was about 3 years into my entrepreneurial career that I decided to take a leap. I had acquired the machines, to manufacture my product line after self learning the simplest ways to design photo gifts and then selling them to family and friends. I had attended every crafter and vendor fair that I could get my hands on, and at approximately $35 a pop, this was a reasonable means of advertising me and my business. The vendor fairs were pretty cool to meet lots of like minded women doing the same thing that I was. We were all doing our parts to bring extra income into our households. We were all craving connections outside the home. We were all desperately seeking out passion and getting closer and closer to our life purpose, one event after another.
I continued to gain more exposure and joined groups in my community. I was fine tuning my craft and my business. I was plugging along and working hard. But I needed to work smarter, not harder. I was meeting 20 new people a week, which is great, but I needed to gain more visibility. I can be a bit impatient, as are most entrepreneurs, and at the rate I was going, it felt like I was watching paint dry. Now that I had a few years under my belt and my sales were increasing at a slow, but steady pace, I decided it was time to pony up. So, I took a leap, because I knew it was time to take my business to the next level.
Yes, I decided it was time to advertise. It was a reputable local magazine and I invested into the only affordable option that I could. It was $100 a month with a commitment of 4 months. Oh sh!#, I thought, a commitment. I was on the right road though and I knew I needed to do it because all the big companies do it. Even Werther’s Original candies’ advertises, and they‘ve been around since 1903.
I see my ad and I feel like I am on fire! This is such a high, sending endorphins through me like jolts of lightening. I feel myself stepping closer and closer to my dream. I was taking action, which I knew I needed to do, but it was a little scary, because I was putting myself out there for the world to see. At the same time, I was in charge of my own destiny, I was in control and I felt alive and empowered. Everywhere I went, I was gitty, like I had a secret.
My predictions and expectations of people knocking down my door with excited interest and checks in hand were exceedingly high like anyone else’s would be. I didn’t see any immediate results and I was a bit deflated. My product is unique and no one can touch what I can do, especially online, and I was tired of the marginal outcome and income. I persevered though, and kept taking continued action with flyers, another keen way to advertise. It still seemed unfair that I work so hard while, out there, it appears that other entrepreneurs are easily flourishing. Maybe they are flourishing because of their marketing strategies I wonder.
Today, I thought I would take a look at my numbers.
When did I place that ad? Alas, it was the summer of 2011. And now, I furiously look in my shop for the sales numbers. The sales chart I created years ago. Where are those numbers? And then I see it. I find the chart. I look to the summer of 2011 and then my eyes impatiently dart toward the fall numbers. There it is in black and white. I am amazed at what I see. My numbers in fact almost tripled in that quarter, it was a 2.63% increase to be exact. Wow. For years I have wondered if I ever got anything from that ad placement. Now I wonder, why did my numbers increase? No one ever said that they found me through the ad? Was it because of the visibility of my logo and branding? Maybe the increase was a result of taking action. Looking back now, the increase could have only resulted because of one thing. I believed. I believed that I was making the right decision. I believed in myself. I believed that it was my turn to flourish.
But I want more visibility and I want a voice. I had a need. Then in 2013, there was an opportunity. Suddenly, it clicked.
There was a need for women entrepreneurs like myself, to gain the visibility we desired and I now had been presented with an opportunity to provide it. I had the opportunity to gain visibility for more than just me. I had an opportunity to help other women achieve their visibility with my new idea. But how could I take this on? I’m only one person, how much can I handle? I already have a business, I’m a leader in my community, I’m the manager of my household and I have 4 children. How can I make this work? And then I remembered Iyanla’s words… “Don’t ever worry about the how.” Her words stuck to my limbic brain like glue. Follow your passion she says and don’t every worry about the how.
My business model turned from precious photos to real people. I took a leap of faith and walked down a road that was new and unknown. We are always told to step into our fears, so I did. I took my own needs and the needs of like minded women and designed a platform that would provide us the visibility to market ourselves in a way like no other. We need the right audience that will listen. We want a platform that gives us long lasting visibility and top of mind awareness. We deserve a platform that is unique and allows us to have a voice. We crave quality and affordability. We love to inspire and educate. We are passionate about diminishing misconceptions and uncalled for industry stereotypes. We need a presence. A together we stand sort of thing. We need power.
Many times in my life I have poured my heart and soul into my work. I gave my energy to administrative work, purchasing, sales, catering & then management. I was eager to learn, create, inspire, educate and nurture. When I fell into my authentic self, I became alive and had meaning. What I’ve learned along the way is priceless. I continue to follow my passion and keep the service I provide desirable and attainable. I nurture the powerful women revealed platform because I know that marketing ourselves and our businesses is essential to even be considered. There are thousands and thousands of women who deserve to be recognized in our community and beyond networking with their powerful missions, products and services. We all need to be visible. We all need to take control of our own destiny and take action. My listeners want more women. It’s time to give them you.