My daughters are at Young Life camp this week. They are having the "best week of their lives" at Young Life's Malibu Club resort in British Columbia. And today is Day 5, where they will take their turn navigating the Ropes Course, an obstacle course on wires and ropes, suspended 20+ feet in the air. It's a thrilling adventure... but the hardest part is that first step.
I'm feeling a lot like that today.
Last fall, I began the journey to expand my business beyond my solo freelance gig. I've done some studying, I've read quite a bit, I've even taken the leap of faith to hire my first employee. But going "public" is something I've dreaded.
Maybe because the more who know what I'm up to, the more public the possible failure. I'm afraid of not being totally on top of all the necessary tasks of running a "real" business. Showing people my imperfections as I hone the system is scary.
But earlier this week, while taking a very rare two days off, my old Fultz Design email box filled up. I kept getting messages from clients that their emails were bouncing back. It seems that fate - and GoDaddy - were pushing me out of the nest, ready or not.
So this morning I took a deep breath and sent out the email.
The one that said "Fultz Design is now Well Communications Group!"
And I prayed. And started filtering through the Delivery Status Notification (Failure) messages, hoping that parenthetical word wasn't an omen.
As I did, I was surprised by something I should have expected.
Several replies weren't auto-generated. They were from real people. Friends. Colleagues. Vendors.
"Congratulations!! So cool to see you growing your business and creating success!"
"Good for you sweetie! Proud of you. But not the least but surprised!"
"Congratulations, Jenny! I'm so excited for you and your new adventure! I look forward to working with you and your new team! May God bless you in your work! "
It's amazing what a little encouragement can do to a fearful heart.
So here we go, taking that first scary step. My knees will be knocking, just like my girls on the Ropes Course. But as those ahead, behind, below and above shout words of encouragement, I'll press on, one step at a time. And I'll try my hardest to enjoy the adventure!
I'm feeling a lot like that today.
Last fall, I began the journey to expand my business beyond my solo freelance gig. I've done some studying, I've read quite a bit, I've even taken the leap of faith to hire my first employee. But going "public" is something I've dreaded.
Maybe because the more who know what I'm up to, the more public the possible failure. I'm afraid of not being totally on top of all the necessary tasks of running a "real" business. Showing people my imperfections as I hone the system is scary.
But earlier this week, while taking a very rare two days off, my old Fultz Design email box filled up. I kept getting messages from clients that their emails were bouncing back. It seems that fate - and GoDaddy - were pushing me out of the nest, ready or not.
So this morning I took a deep breath and sent out the email.
The one that said "Fultz Design is now Well Communications Group!"
And I prayed. And started filtering through the Delivery Status Notification (Failure) messages, hoping that parenthetical word wasn't an omen.
As I did, I was surprised by something I should have expected.
Several replies weren't auto-generated. They were from real people. Friends. Colleagues. Vendors.
"Congratulations!! So cool to see you growing your business and creating success!"
"Good for you sweetie! Proud of you. But not the least but surprised!"
"Congratulations, Jenny! I'm so excited for you and your new adventure! I look forward to working with you and your new team! May God bless you in your work! "
It's amazing what a little encouragement can do to a fearful heart.
So here we go, taking that first scary step. My knees will be knocking, just like my girls on the Ropes Course. But as those ahead, behind, below and above shout words of encouragement, I'll press on, one step at a time. And I'll try my hardest to enjoy the adventure!
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