Being the CEO of my own business is a dream come true for me.
It has been quite a ride, and I am so blessed to be where I am today.
I look back at those early days when I was struggling to get the business going, and then I see how far I've come, and I'm proud of myself.
And yes, it's perfectly okay to be proud of the work you do when it's honest work done with the right intentions.
I'm thankful to have had the determination and the tenacity to keep working hard and not give up.
Even during those times when I felt a bit unsure of myself and of my ability to actually create a thriving business, I kept moving forward.
I am also extremely grateful for the support I received during those times; support from my family, my friends, colleagues, advisors and coaches.
I could not have done it without their sincere belief in me and their desire to see me succeed.
I mention this because I believe it is extremely important to have support of all kinds in your business, and in your life, for that matter.
Starting and operating a successful business requires an understanding of so many aspects of business management- planning, marketing, accounting, and so on.
Not many of us have the expertise in all of these areas at the level needed to do it all alone, and that's okay.
That's where the outside support comes in.
If you are a seasoned business owner, then you understand what I'm saying, and you most likely have support services in place to help you manage your operations.
If you are new to business ownership, you may not.
If that's the case, I encourage you to begin building your network of support now so that as your business grows, it can grow in an organized, well-managed way.
First, find yourself an experienced business coach.
A well-qualified coach is worth their weight in gold when it comes to teaching you how to start, manage and grow your business.
They can help you with business planning, goal setting, marketing and pricing your services.
Next, unless your expertise is in accounting, hire a bookkeeper/accountant to handle the financial side of your business.
A good accounting person can help you manage the day-to-day expenses as well as keep up with the various tax reports that must be filed.
This frees you up to handle the development and growth side of your business.
In today's world of Internet marketing, understanding the role of social media as you promote your business is critical.
If this isn't an area that you do well or enjoy doing, then hire someone to assist you with social media/Internet marketing.
I know you're probably thinking "My business is new; I can't afford to hire all these people to help me!" Believe me, I get that.
So start small...
but start.
Perhaps find someone who is also new in business who would enjoy the work, even though it may be just a few hours each month.
Maybe start with just one support person, and slowly bring on others as you adjust to the new 'investment' and see how great it is working.
And then there's that emotional support I mentioned earlier.
Remember my saying that I wouldn't be where I am today if not for the unwavering support of my family and friends? I encourage you to develop your own network of emotional support as you embark on your entrepreneurial journey.
Why is that so important? Because without it, the road to success can be long and lonely.
When those tough days come around, you'll need those faithful supporters to remind you of your dream.
So reach out to your family, friends, colleagues and peers, and develop a strong group of supporters who will be there cheering you on when you need a lift.
It makes the road to success a lot smoother.