Hi, friend - and welcome!
When you clicked, “Tell me more,” or opted into this newsletter, you trusted I would share something of value. And if I’m being entirely honest, I wasn’t sure what I intended to communicate when I committed to this idea. I knew, however, that this would intentionally grow my accountability network and provide a platform to reveal my wild experiences of starting a business while highlighting the incredible work being done by SGC Partners.
Instead of writing about why I am doing what I am doing or my approach to serving clients better (more on that another week), I thought it might be fun to share how I am reframing the complexities of starting something new.
Key Takeaways
Trust a quick-reacting nervous system. Within two weeks of deciding to launch SG Consulting, my entire system graciously responded to this tremendous change. Yes, of course, I had a few sleepless nights, but once I accepted my role as chief productivity driver, these nights were no longer rooted in fear. Rather, many were sparked by the ideas and leads I wanted to explore, the people I yearned to learn from, and the opportunities I desired to illuminate for deserving partners. Not only did clients quickly call out the new energy I brought to our meetings, but my husband noticed my lighter, more joyous approach to everyday things. But most importantly, I felt at peace with exploring and learning through the unknowns and was genuinely excited about “work” again. Lesson: watch for how the body reacts to certain environments, trust those responses, and make necessary adjustments to achieve an optimal operating status.
Starting a business is like raising a child. At first, you don’t know what you don’t know and tend to over-research things. Then, you begin to figure it out and create routines around the systems that yield the greatest growth and freedom (hello, sleep training). All the while, you are aware of developmental milestones and put incremental steps into place to help your baby (or business) reach those goals – but if you don’t focus daily on moving the needle, you end up scrolling Instagram for ways to play catch up (delayed speech). While I could go on, I hope you understand my comparison. Just as a child needs constant attention, love, and support, anything new, changing, or developing needs the same. Be ok not knowing everything; create systems to maximize your input and output; establish KPIs; and focus on sustained growth, even if it is hard.
Prioritize fit over fear. In the beginning, saying “no” tends to result in one less monthly retainer, one less logo on your business’ website, and one less early win, which might feel like unnecessarily slow growth. But, practicing fit over fear creates space for only the most aligned opportunities. This looks like joining teams that respect and welcome your expertise, signing clients that might require more time on average but closely align with your corporate vision, and keeping your plate void of draining relationships.
A Few Other Thoughts
Know your why to have clear objectives.
The people you keep directly reflect your reputation and chances of succeeding.
Appropriately share your vulnerabilities with SMEs.
Questions to Consider
What would failure look like if I pursued my greatest opportunity (or fill in the blank)?
What are you doing at home or in your business that could be outsourced?
What daily actions sustain a growth trajectory?
Recommendations
Always know the rules of engagement and do not sleep on engaging professionals.
Grammarly (IYKYK)
Toggl – for individuals looking to track and manage their time better
Ask your tax advisor about Florida’s new tax credit for childcare costs. I am continually shocked professionals do not know about this great opportunity.
If you read this far, you are amazing – thank you! I encourage you to stick around for a few emails, share your feedback via a reply message, and engage with SG Consulting on our social channels.
Yours truly,
Samantha