Well, join the crowd!
How do you manage when you are doing everything in your business?
What happens? You’re tired. All the time. Seriously. You are wrecked from exhaustion. Believe me, I know. When I started Global Girl Life I was doing everything. There wasn’t a choice. I was finding the products, writing the blogs, taking the pictures, planning the social media, working with retail vendors, filing the subscription box orders, consulting with clients, you get the idea. Most of the entrepreneurs I know start this way. How did I manage? I got a good calendar and did the best I could.
Did you make any mistakes?
Only every day. I still make mistakes every day. That’s the only way I know to learn. I’d love to say that in the almost year that I’ve been in business I’ve perfected the processes and I know everything there is to know about running a global business. I’d love to say that. But I’m not going to lie to you.
How do you deal with the mistakes?
With honesty and integrity. I own up to them and do my best to make them right. One of the things I’m very serious about is checking the analytics for my business. I also handle customer service myself. If someone calls and they aren’t happy with a Global Girl product for any reason, I want to know why. I’m going to see if we can make it right for them. My consulting clients are in touch with me on a regular basis and know how to reach me even when I’m traveling. The Global Girl Life is about building relationships not just selling to customers. Honesty is the only way I know to maintain good relationships.
How do you stop making the same mistake more than once?
I can’t say that I do. I’ve trained myself to see mistakes as learning opportunities. Sometimes I have to make them more than once. I don’t like that but I’m okay with stepping back and figuring out what is at the root of what’s happening. I’m also getting better at asking for help when I need it. I’m amazed at how many people want to help and are just waiting to be asked. If you hesitate to ask for help (like I have been), find a way to make it easier. It really can be a game-changer.
What I’ve learned
I went into this business knowing that mistakes would be made. It’s inevitable no matter what you do. I’ve learned that people are generally forgiving, and maybe even encouraging when you let them know what happened and try to make it right. Taking a chance, making a mistake and learning from it is a skill. It can be developed if you’ll give yourself a little bit of grace.
How I’ve grown
My biggest growth opportunity hasn’t been to eliminate mistakes. That is not going to happen. Global Girl LIfe has helped me grow because I’m learning how to ask for (and accept) help when I need it. Giving others the opportunity to be a part of what we are building here is good for all of us.
If you need help climbing out of a business situation you’ve fallen into, give me a call and let’s chat for a few minutes. I bet it will feel good just to talk about it – who knows we may even be able to solve it in 30 minutes! Most problems are not as big as they seem in our heads.
If you are have always wanted to start your own business and have an idea. This is the course for you! In just 31 days you will learn how to Validate your Business Idea, Identify your Ideal Customer and choose the next steps with me helping you on what comes next!