I've discovered that when you are starting out on a new venture in business or building an annual community event or fundraiser, undoubtedly at some point in the beginning you will have to take a very big leap of faith. The leap comes from one not knowing how something will be perceived by those around them or if there is room in the market for another whats a ma bob. So what makes some of us take that leap of faith while others write lists, research, re write their lists, ask their friends and families and still don't take the leap?
There's something inside of you that screams out do it! Some people call it their intuition. My mom is convinced that others lack the gene of fear when it comes to change and can just do it without a second thought. I can only speak for myself. I have started five businesses. Some more successful than others, worked for numerous start up companies, and pledged my support to fledgling entrepreneurs when I was in my twenties. I usually jumped in with both feet before ever looking both ways at what might be coming down the road at me. Up until now it has served me well and the experiences and knowledge that I have gained by building from the bottom up has made me a formidable business person and marketer. When you build from scratch you quickly learn how to be a "jack of all trades" and learn how to get it done with little or no budget. That could be anything from reusing fax ink rolls (ouch I'm old), to moving electrical outlets, cold calling fortune 500 companies, establishing revenue streams where no one thought they could ever exist and answering the phone as accounts receivables, payables, marketing, and production all in one day. I LOVE IT and thrive on it. By forgoing the traditional route out of business school and opting for the smaller growing companies I was able to take part in a huge range of duties : co-host national talk radio show, mgr. team of 12 telemarketers, script writer, newsletter and blog poster, manager of operations, director of marketing for print and internet, copy writer for health and fitness site, educational seminars at trade shows, and on and on....
All well and good and I've traveled, met famous people, been quoted in prestigious publications, and best of all made life long friends, but well into my thirties I've found myself asking what do I want to be when I grow UP?
Then one evening on Facebook the most unexpected occurrence took place and my life has since taken off in a direction I never knew existed. I grew up in a very small town in New Hampshire, Spofford/Chesterfield. We started school together and stayed in the same building for eight years. I moved to Maine in 9th grade and that was the last time I saw all of my childhood friends. Then I received an invite to a elementary school reunion and debated whether or not I would go. Seemed so far away and I still pictured everyone pre-puberty, it might be better to keep it that way.
Than Tyler Ryan asked to be my friend on Facebook. Tyler who? So apparently puberty does a world of wonders for some and twenty years later I barely recognize my old friend "TG". I accept his friendship and three months later when he IMs me and it all starts to make sense. Then two weeks later I am his new VP of Northeast Division and meeting him face to face at our elementary school reunion. So this is where I am making my big leap of faith. I've decided to take a position in an unestablished territory with horrible benefits (kidding) for now and commit to making this company grow with no uncertainty. My family was hoping for me taking the secure cushy position in a larger company with predictable salary, benefits, and vacation time but something inside of me is screaming that I must take this GIANT LEAP of Faith and make it happen.
So two weeks into this new job and way of life I can honestly say that I LOVE what I'm doing and I know that I made the right decision. Oh and by the way in case you are wondering, row 1, spaces 4 & 5 are Jen and Tyler.
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