Commit to the process
One of my favorite things to do is to discuss with others their ideas because that is when I get to create follow ups for them out of thin air. I love creating and I have ideas all day long so when I get to help someone else with their idea, oh boy is that my bread and butter. What I want to do is to help guide people in taking their ideas and sharpening them into an actionable plan. That is what kind of life coach I want to be, helping people to create their dreams and bring them to fruition.
Today I got to hang out with a friend that I haven’t seen in so long. She is awesome, spunky, intelligent and definitely has the heart of an entrepreneur. So when I heard her ideas my brain started firing off a bunch of things to her. It was exhilarating because her ideas are brilliant and to be a sound board for her was filling a huge need for me. After having dinner and spending a quality night together it allowed me to see a step for myself as well. I get a question a lot from people looking to explore the space of opening up their own business and nothing excites me more. How did I begin with all this!
Well I was scared like most people. I had no idea whether or not I could afford to do it and knew nothing back then. But the first thing I did was name it and make a business card, along with a logo. Nothing fancy, this I don’t always recommend especially if you have a vision for yourself. Me I was winging it every step along the way so I adapted with every move, and re imagined myself and what I wanted to create, and explored more opportunities. Back then I didn’t know my target market, who I was catering towards or what kind of massage therapist I was. Working in fancy spa’s like the ritz Carlton or Mohonk Mountain House that spa life was all I knew. While working at one of these places someone was trying to find someone to take over a room they rented. Nervous to take it I stepped up to the plate and for $195 it was mine.
Once I knew I wanted to get started that is when the doors began to open for me. Back then I didn’t see it but the first step to anything is to commit to the process. No matter how scary, no matter what you think you can’t do, you need to fully invest in it regardless of the headspace or mentality. Shift yourself into a state of being committed. Cause if you can’t commit to your dream do you honestly think anyone else will? This is where I come in, I want to help you get there. So if you have an idea that has been with you forever but don’t know how to let's get started together.
After committing to your idea I want you to research everything you possibly can. What is your cost to produce it, ingredients, time, energy, labor. Knowing your start up costs will be a great way for you to understand your numbers. When I first started I needed an appointment book, business cards, a massage table, decor, and a printer. It was low cost and low overhead so when I first started venturing out my prices were also low. I had an introductory massage rate so people could try me out. After knowing this I set off to Facebook to set up social media and used a free website from my insurance. Everything was basic and wasn’t super cohesive but like I say, “It doesn’t have to be pretty you just have to do it.” Precisely what I did. I made catchy pull tab fliers and put them in diners, grocery stores, I gave away my time for free a lot. (This one I don’t recommend. People always want free stuff and will always be off to the next “free” thing.) It’s fine to give samples or little hints about your services, meaning like a 5-15 min freebie, but don’t give full things away. It brings in the people you don’t want and puts your value down.
Play with things, for me I didn’t know my target market or who I wanted to cater to because I was still figure out who I was as a massage therapist. So I adapted the spa massage into my practice and after a year I grew into a new space. Then after that I grew more and found my niche in the athletic massage arena. By committing to the process I was able to eventually adapt to the point where I found my clientele. But here is the thing you always want to be innovating and growing. And again I am in a new place being a different person I see myself evolving again as a massage therapist. Into a new arena and stepping into the fear. That is what I recommend you get comfortable with now, as an entrepreneur you will never be able to do the same thing forever. You must always be growing and changing and adapting to the world around you. If you think selling the same product in the same way you did 5 years ago will work then you are in for a rude awakening. I.E. blockbuster. You always want to be learning and challenging what you have and how you can make it better. Become sharper in your skills or tools, bring in new products for clients, new amenities or techniques.
Once you start the step to committing to your idea then the rest is bound to happen as long as you don’t let your fear to dictate your fate. You are in control of your life, not the fear. Do you want to keep putting off that idea until someday, or is today the day you embrace it and commit? Are you ready to dare to habit?
Today was a 10.