Shifting from a corporate job with a stable salary to starting your own business can be a challenging and daunting task. But it can also be one of the most rewarding experiences ever.
As Oprah Winfrey once said, “The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams.” For me, starting my own consulting and marketing communications firm was the first step towards living my dream life and unlocking the freedom I needed to fully lean into motherhood.
Eleven years ago, just three months after giving birth to my son, I made the decision to leave my corporate job in proposal management in the technology sector to start my own firm. It was a scary and uncertain time, but I knew deep down that it was the right decision for me.
A quote from Richard Branson has always stuck with me and symbolizes my road to entrepreneurship: “If someone offers you an amazing opportunity and you’re not sure you can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it later.” I said YES when I jumped into the wonderful world of entrepreneurship, and I haven’t looked back since.
Early on, running my consulting and marketing communications was filled with more early mornings and sleepless nights than paying clients. However, despite the turmoil, I persevered and stayed the course. Doing so positioned me to work with clients I love, set my schedule and use my expertise and outside-the-box strategies to support brands in their efforts to boost their bottom lines.
Did my journey include sacrifices and challenges? Absolutely. Initially, I had to wear all the hats – customer service, marketing, finance/accounting and more and navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship while mothering a 4-month-old son. It was a steep learning curve, and while some days, I wanted to wave the white flag, I, again, stayed the course.
Building my reputation and credibility was a significant challenge as a new consultant. However, with my experience and expertise, I quickly gained the trust of many previous employers who hired me for their consulting and proposal management needs. Landing these initial clients motivated me to put myself out there and continue promoting my expertise and services.
If you’re considering launching a consulting business, take the leap of faith and go for it! It’s challenging, but the rewards are well worth it. And if you’re passionate about what you do and willing to work hard, you can achieve anything you want.
Launching a business is like jumping out of a plane and assembling a parachute on the way down. It’s not for the faint of heart, but it can be gratifying. If you’re willing to take the risk and put in the work, starting your own business can be one of the most fulfilling experiences of your life.
Ultimately, I’m grateful for the challenges and opportunities my business has brought me. It’s been a wild ride, but it’s been worth every minute. If you’re considering making a similar leap, I encourage you to go for it. You never know where it might take you!
By Apryl Beverly
Apryl Beverly founded the world’s first woman-owned, flat-rate sales and marketing content platform. Her team has written content that has helped celebrities, professional services firms, tech companies, and more amass $100 million in revenue. Visit wordstylistz.com to find out more.
