I've been a small business operator for most of my life, and I've always been proud to be able to say that. Until I got cancer.
When I got cancer, my whole world shut down. Including my handmade jewelry business. So in addition to everything terrible that comes with a cancer diagnosis, I also had to come face to face with the fact that I have never really been a small business owner. Or an entrepreneur. Ecopreneur. In fact, I've spent most of my life being what I can only call an overworked hobbyist. I just didn't know it.
The good news is, I came out ahead of cancer. I've finished my treatments, I'm currently free of disease and I feel healthier than I have in years. The bad news is, I had to basically rebuild my business. But I guess that's good news, right? Because tearing down and starting over is the only way that I can strengthen everything for the next curveball that life is sure to throw at me.
For the past two years I have been seeking out absolutely every free resource about business that I can get my hands on, taking notes, and implementing so many new systems. I'm not exactly where I want to be yet, but I'm getting closer everyday. I talk about this in my latest podcast episode "What Getting Cancer Taught Me About My Small Business" (available on Apple and Spotify). If you're a creative that wants to start strengthening the business side of things, here are some of my favorite entrepreneurs/cheerleaders/resources:
and finally - SHARK TANK!
I have literally watched every episode of Shark Tank. I pretend it's me in front of the panel, and every question that they ask the entrepreneurs, I ask myself. If I can't answer it, I ask myself why. And if I can use that to make a movement forward in my business, I do that.
Also, as I'm typing this, I really think that I should rewatch every episode again and write blog posts about the questions that come up. I can always use a refresher course, and if I can share that with you, we all win!
Thank you so much for reading today. I hope to continue to learn on this business journey, and I hope that what I'm doing here creates a valuable resource for you and for me.
Until we meet again...I love you. Keep growing,
Jessica