Becoming a Solopreneuer: My Journey to Pursuing Passion

Why I’m Starting a Business and Why Now?

The Freedom to Pursue My Passion

In today’s fast-paced world, sticking solely to a 9-5 job doesn’t cut it for many of us anymore. Solopreneurship gives us the freedom to shape our career around our passions, whether it’s fashion, technology, fitness, or any other area that lights a fire in us. For me, it’s all about beauty, and the chance to create a brand that celebrates individuality and self-expression. What about you? Just picture waking up every day excited to do what you love, whether it’s coming up with cool gadgets, baking scrumptious pastries, or turning outdoor spaces into breathtaking landscapes. Pursuing our passions not only keeps our enthusiasm alive, but also lets us share our unique talents with the world around us.

Now, listen, I get it. Not everyone is cut out for the solopreneur life, and many of us (myself included) can’t just dive headfirst into chasing our creative dreams without the safety net of our day jobs. For a lot of people, the 9-5 grind is what gives us the funds and security we need to eventually work for ourselves, whether we stick to our side hustles or go all in. Personally, I’m not quitting my job to pursue my side hustle, but I am giving it my all. I wouldn’t advise anyone to jump into solopreneurship without a solid plan in place.

Control Over My Destiny

When you work for yourself, you’re the boss. You get to call the shots, set your own hours, and pick your clients. This kind of freedom is priceless and can lead to a more fulfilling and balanced life. In retail, even in luxury retail like myself, it can start to feel like you’re playing second fiddle to your customers. You’re expected to give up holidays, weekends, and time with your family just so your customers can have a great experience with theirs. Sure, it can be rewarding, but at what cost? Is it worth sacrificing time with your loved ones for money that you can’t even enjoy because you’re stuck at work? How much are those missed family Christmas trips really worth these days?

Also, leading up to my birthday this year, I’ve been feeling antsy when it comes to how much time I’ve spent in my career not having the autonomy to come and go as I please, to be a slave to a clock, to be imprisoned by how long a customer wants to stay in our store because they are more valuable than making it to my family outing in time. I can’t begin to count the number of missed, or cut short lunches, missed outings, and missed opportunities all in the name of helping someone else build their business. And I love my job, I always have, but there’s no reason why I can’t pursue my passions while helping someone actualize theirs. Also, being able to do your own thing lets you go after projects that really matter to you and get you excited; which in turn, improves how you show up for life and even how well you perform at your 9-5.

A Sense of Accomplishment

There’s just something so satisfying about starting from scratch and building something, you know? Every little milestone feels like a big deal, and when you look back, you can see all the hard work that went into it. It’s a journey of learning, challenges, and growth, and along the way, you become more resilient and even better at solving problems. Bringing an idea to life brings a sense of pride like nothing else, and it just makes you want to keep chasing new opportunities and trying new things.

Also, there’s nothing that has been more fulfilling in my life than knowing that you’ve had a positive impact on someone. It is so true that we may be the only Bible someone reads, the only inspirational speaker they’ll get a chance to hear, or the only business owner that looks like them in their town. I don’t take that lightly. I never will. I enjoy makeup. I enjoy using it to spread a larger message of tolerance and inclusivity, of living a life on your terms and looking and feeling good while doing it.

Starting My Beauty Business

Overcoming Fear

Fear of failure is a real thing people and it held me back for so long. But then I realized that continuing life as I knew it without even trying everything I had in my toolbox to create the life I wanted was even more scary than any failure would be. So, with this change in mindset, I was like, “Hey, it’s time to kickstart my beauty business!” What about you? What’s stopping you, and how can you smash through it? It’s totally normal to feel freaked out about diving into something new, especially when there’s a risk, right? But, embracing the idea that failure is just another stepping stone to accomplishment is very freeing. Once you wrap your head around the fact that failure ain’t the end, but just a way to grow and reach your goals, you’ll find the guts to chase your dreams. So, what are you aiming for, and how can you build up the strength to knock down any roadblocks in your way?

Planning and Preparation

Starting a business is fun, but it’s also super serious if you want to create something that lasts. I mean, I spent months digging into stuff, making plans, and setting some real goals. And let me tell you, planning is not just about setting yourself up for success, it also helps to ease the anxieties of diving into the unknown. And don’t forget about really thinking hard about the customers you’re trying to sell to and how you can genuinely help them, checking out the other players in the game, and figuring out how to make your business stand out. Building a killer brand, getting your finances sorted, and cooking up a marketing plan is also super important. You also have to research the market and weigh the risks to ensure your business takes off on a good foot.

The tough part isn’t coming up with the plan or putting it into action; it’s holding back the temptation to get stuck in the planning stage. Some of us just stop there because it’s too scary to take the next step. I understand; I’ve fallen victim to the “planning phase,” too, my friend, but I’m here to tell you, you’ve planned enough. Stop planning and start doing.

Building a Brand

Creating a brand that resonates with your audience is essential for long-term success. It’s not just about a catchy logo or a stylish website; it’s about crafting a brand identity that truly reflects your values and connects with your target audience on a deeper level. For me, it’s important to focus on inclusivity and empowerment, values that are close to my heart and that I believe are crucial in today’s society.

When you consider what values are important to you and how they can shape your brand, think about the message you want to convey and the impact you want to make. It’s about creating a lasting impression and building a loyal community around those shared values. So, take the time to delve into what truly matters to you and let those values guide the development of your brand.

Launching My YouTube Channel

Documenting the Journey

I’m kickstarting a YouTube channel to share my journey as a solopreneur. This channel will be all about giving tips, sharing experiences, and doing beauty tutorials. But it’s not just about that – I’ll also take you behind the scenes and show you the ups and downs I face along the way. My goal with this platform is to motivate and support others who are also chasing their entrepreneurial dreams. Subscribe to the newsletter, follow me on social media, and come along. We will ride the rollercoaster of solopreneurship, build a tight-knit community, and learn and improve together.

Engaging with the Audience

One of the most attractive things about YouTube is that it allows users to connect with people in real-time. I can’t wait to chat with you, hear your thoughts, and build a crew. It’s not just about giving and getting feedback—it’s about creating a community where we can all connect over shared interests. There’s so much to learn and discover together, and I think YouTube is the best format for authentic interaction. And tbh, I talk way too much for short-form content.

The Power of Visual Storytelling

Videos are a fantastic way to tell your story. They mix visuals, sound, and movement to create a real show that grabs your viewers’ attention. Whether you’re giving a sneak peek behind the scenes, sharing your top tips, or capturing the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, videos are a jack-of-all-trades medium that can bring out all the different sides of your solo business journey. Using this platform, I want to give you a genuine, immersive look into the hurdles, victories, and everyday moments that shape my entrepreneurial path, and the aim is always to build a strong bond with my audience.

Multiple Income Streams

Diversifying Revenue

Gone are the days of relying on a single income stream from a traditional job. Solopreneurship allows for multiple revenue streams, providing financial security and stability. Lately, I’ve been thinking about various ways to monetize my skills and interests, and you should, too. Not only do I believe that using our talents is a divine gift but also a divine right and act of appreciation to the Creator. God gave us our gifts so that we can inspire others, make a living for ourselves, and use our talent to bring people closer to God. And if there’s anything that the year 2020 taught us all, it was that it’s a good idea to diversify income streams in case the world comes to a standstill again.

Passive Income Opportunities

One of the cool things about being a solopreneur is the chance to make money while you chill, which can give you financial security and the freedom to pursue your hobbies. I look forward to doing affiliate marketing and creating digital stuff like e-books, online courses, or software tools to putting your cash into stocks or real estate that pay you dividends, there are many ways to earn money passively. At the same time, we can focus on other things and still keep the regular gig. I hope that having different ways to bring in the cash can also help me to ride out economic ups and downs or changes in my primary sources of income, giving me a safety net for other business ventures.

Long-term Financial Goals

Setting long-term money goals is super important. As a solopreneur, I’m aiming to build a business that fits my lifestyle and lets me save up some cash and make smart investments. I’m all about managing my expenses and making the most of every opportunity to bring in money. I wanna set things up so that my family and I can have a solid financial future. And let’s be honest, with inflation at an all time high, now is the time to think about those long term financial goals and think about if they will ever come to realization with just your income from your day job. For most of us, this just isn’t reality.

Conclusion

Deciding to start my business has been one of my most empowering decisions. It will be an exciting adventure filled with learning, growth, and fulfillment. If you’re contemplating a similar path, take the leap of faith. The same God who gave you the idea will send the audience and the customers. You’ll only regret the chances you don’t take. Want to stay updated on my journey and get inspired for yours? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow my blog for regular updates. Let’s conquer our dreams together!

P.S. -Also, if you’re in the Memphis Area and need a makeup fairy godmother, I’m here to help. Details are below.