I have been running my small business for seven years in addition to taking care of my family and working a full time job. For the most part, it was all working out great. I would run my business in the evenings and weekends. Most of the time it was very do-able. Christmas was always my busiest season, and everyone knew that once November rolled around, mom would be living in the craft room.
My business has had significant growth year over year, and I continued to say I don’t know how I will make it through another holiday season, but then we would all get through it together and it was great! It was a short window of time–five weeks of long days, full weekends. When there is an end in sight you can do anything you put your mind to. So we made it work. My husband did all of the home stuff, made me meals to make sure I stopped to eat, got me coffee, and made me yummy snacks. Everyone helped on orders, the kids had specific things they could do to help out and my husband would do all of the shipping. Last year I decided to hire two people to work part time and that was the best thing I could have done. All was going well and I continued to work full time as well.
Some of you may wonder, if my business was doing well, why did I still work? I have been asked that hundreds of times and the answer is that I loved my job. I really did. Earlier this year, after evaluating my business, I knew I had to make a change. There would be no getting through the holidays this year unless I was full-time at my business. I had to make a choice. I had to choose my job or my business. My family never saw me, we were not spending quality time together any more. I would be working and they would come in to chat. Nice weekends came and went in the fall and I knew I had to work. I had to get orders filled. But my heart wanted to take the kids to Hartley for a walk, go on bike rides, and just play in the yard. The guilt was killing me.
So I made the choice to leave my job. Deciding to leave was the hardest decision I have ever made in my life. I did it for my kids. They need more from mom, and they deserve it. I will never get this time back with them. I decided to pursue my passion and make this business my full-time job.
Now, on my first day at what I like to call #girlboss, I am trying to figure out my new normal. I am at home all the time. I make the rules now. I can grocery shop at 3pm if I want to. This is all so surreal and odd to me, but I know it will all come together as I go along. My goal is to no longer work nights and weekends. I don’t want to rush off to work as soon as dinner is done. I want to play games, watch a TV show and just be with the kids. I think it will take some time for all of us to adjust. I need to make a plan and see what works and what doesn’t. I know I will need some office time to answer emails, print orders and a place to sit and make my lists, so I created an office space with a custom desk from IKEA. I love how it all came together!
I have a lot I want to do yet this year, but before I can tackle that list, I must catch up on orders and find my balance. Being here when the kids get home from school will be great and I would love to be wrapping up my day at that time. I want to be here for them, cook dinners together, enjoy their company and hear about their day at school.
I hope that part of my new normal is an actual routine that we can all enjoy and figure out together. No one is perfect and this new adventure for us is going to make some time, but I am glad my kids saw me work so hard to get to where I am now. I want them to know that you have to work hard to have the things you want in life and that YOU can make anything possible if you put your mind to it. I never dreamed that I would be my own boss, let alone doing the thing I love the most!
How exciting! As a teeny tiny business owner, I would love to hear more about how you got this point. Looking forward to perusing your etsy.
Missy, I applaude you for taking such a leap….your creations are as amazing as you are and I know you’ve made the right decision and will succeed many times over!!! I also know I miss seeing your smiley face!! With a wedding and bridal showers coming up, you know you will be hearing from me! You go girlboss!!!
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