There’s no guarantee…of anything
I“Around 15 years ago, a Google executive threw out $1,000 bundles of cash to employees at an all-hands event around the holidays. Staff at Meta long enjoyed free laundry and dry cleaning…. At Netflix, employees were trusted to use their judgement when it came to travel, vacation time, and parental leave. More recently, the travel has been limited, the budget for hoodies and jackets has been reduced, and the quality and volume of the snacks has declined. The grass-fed beef jerky is gone.” – From “Techies: They’re Just Like Us”, The Wall Street Journal, By Katherine Bindley April 26-27, 2025
Around 15 years ago myself, I most certainly DID NOT have anyone throwing bundles of cash at me. And I was—much to my own chagrin—doing all my own laundry. Vacationing was rare and my snack budget was so meager I once had a meltdown in the grocery store over the cost of pickles. (no joke.)
Yet, in the face of all that money and wild opportunity happening in the tech industry, and despite living in the hub of the tech world, I opted to make my foray into solopreneurship.
The courage to move forward in unpredictable times, was audacious.
There is a lot of personal back story that explains why I made that choice, but fundamentally I knew that even the seemingly secure corporate world offers no guarantees. And I wanted to own my time.
Defying the outdated notion that work must be dull and uninspiring was a courageous act.
In fact, many people I spoke with rejected the idea that joy and fulfillment had any place at work. But it was the singular driving force in my venture!
I had to define what success looked like for myself.
If today’s unpredictable landscape is holding you back from going forward, I suggest harnessing your courage and boldly pursuing your path anyway!
It’s like having a baby – there’s never really a “right” time. You just have to do it!
I can help.
TL;DR - Why be miserable at a job that doesn't guarantee you a thing and keeps your final work product when you can pick all the best snacks for yourself and take ownership of your time and effort - from home?!
3 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Launch
There's always something or someone ready to hold you back…but how can you get out from under the doubt?
You do your due diligence…and then you get it done.
"Is there a market for my product/service?": Assessing the demand and competition within your industry can help you understand if your offering has the potential to succeed. Keep in mind: If you are a service-based business, there is always room in your industry because no one can do what you do the way you do it! You are the brand. You are the product.
"Do I have the necessary skills and resources?": Solopreneurs need to evaluate their strengths, weaknesses, and available resources to determine if they can effectively run a business on their own. Keep in Mind: You don't have to be the best at everything related to your business. What software automation can't handle, you can outsource to other experts. (We give thanks to the entrepreneurs who came before us and paved the way!)
"Am I ready for the challenges and excited about the risks?": Starting a business comes with financial uncertainty, allows for time flexibility, and demands continuous learning and reevaluation. Keep in Mind: Finding clients, managing deadlines, and staying motivated without the structure of a traditional job might feel like a lot at first, but it gets easier over time. Resist assuming you know how you'll respond without ever giving yourself the opportunity to try.
Referrals are the lifeblood of every small business, including mine!
Do you have a friend who is looking to go into business for themselves?
Is your mom looking to take her jewelry making side hustle to the next level?
Does your brother need new professional photos or a portfolio website for a job search?
You can:
Give them my website: www.StefanieSmall.com
Introduce us over email: sjsmall560@gmail.com
Reach out through LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stefanie-small
THANK YOU!
