The Birth of a Business

Why do we wait, or hesitate, to do things that we know in our heart we are meant to do? Is it fear of failure? Worry over what others may think of us? Or are we just waiting for that perfect time? I've been thinking about this a lot lately because ever since I was younger I had always envisioned myself being an entrepreneur... and then life happened and that was not the path I took. The idea of starting my own business would come and go throughout the years but I just never felt like the time was right or that I was ready to take that leap. This is also often true when couples are talking about having kids - the time just never seems right but sometimes you just have to take the plunge anyway!

I am beyond grateful, however, for the path that I did take because I have learned so much and believe that all of those lessons learned and all that experience has been building up to get me to where I am today. It's so exciting to be able to say that I'm an entrepreneur. But every time I say this I also think about how I really have no clue what I'm doing so I'm just learning as I go, putting in the hard work, and hoping for the best - kind of like having kids.

I was recently talking about some of the different elements about starting a business and it hit me that starting a business really is very similar to giving birth/having kids. You carry this weight around for so long, with so much curiosity and wonder but when it finally comes to life it is such a miracle and huge blessing. But every day is a new adventure and you realize that you really don't know as much as you thought you did, so you just need to learn as you go.

Here are a few other ways that starting a business is like having kids:

• Manage through Sleepless Nights - Google 'Entrepreneur Insomniac' because it's a real thing. Ever since I started on this path I have not been sleeping well, waking up suddenly in the middle of the night with a new idea or risk I didn't think about. In a state of pure exhaustion earlier this week I started thinking about how this lack of sleep can't be good then I remembered that it's just like being a mom to a newborn - you don't get more than a few hour stretch of sleep at a time but somehow still seem to manage and survive, knowing that you are spending those sleepless nights tending to something amazing. Clearly it's not healthy or sustainable to not sleep well but it's the reality of being in the early stages of starting a business. And heck, as a parent, do you ever really get a good night's sleep after having kids anyway?
• Get Comfortable Asking for Help - After having our first child help was everywhere that first week or two after we got home. But then it slowly dwindled and I was so hesitant to ask for help when I needed it. But I learned that people really do want to help - you just have to ask. And it's okay to ask for help because nobody can do it all alone. The same could not be more true when you are starting a new business. You need to be humble and confident enough to know when someone can help you and be willing to ask for that help. I've built so many mutually beneficial relationships and partnerships since embarking on this journey and putting away my fears and asking for help when I need it has been a huge part of this.
• Be Adaptable - It's always good to have a plan; but it's also wise to know that even the best laid plans can go awry. When you are a parent, adaptability is the name of the game. Things almost always go differently than planned when young children are involved, so being adaptable and learning to stay calm when things don't go as planned is critical. The same is true when starting a business. I'm learning this quickly, as I am someone who has an idea and wants to act on it immediately so this experience has not only been testing my patience but it is also serving as a great reminder of how important it is to keep an open mind and be willing to adapt plans as needed.
• Everyone Has an Opinion - This is one of the biggest gripes I hear from all my new mom friends, and something I experienced myself. Somehow when you become pregnant everyone wants to share their parenting tips and stories with you, telling you what to do and what not to do. I have found the same is true when starting a new business - everyone seems to have an opinion. Some of these opinions hold some really great advice, and some can be super deflating. The key is to listen to what makes sense for you and internalize into a productive outcome. And never take advice from someone whose life you would never want to live.
• Celebrate the Milestones - I remember when my kids were younger, especially my first, and how we would celebrate the hell out of every little milestone they would hit. Solid foods, crawling, first word, no more bottles, walking, etc, etc. Every little milestone was celebrated - and still is as they are older. When starting a new business it is easy to lose sight of this when you are so focused on the bigger picture. There are so many little milestones, however, along the way and when you take the time to at least pat yourself on the back each time you hit one, it will help keep you motivated and focused through the challenging times. Don't just remember where you want to go, but celebrate from where you've come and all you have achieved to get you there.

I've realized recently just how much starting a new business really is like having a child. So much unknown, yet so much excitement, and learning as you go. Each day is new and filled with so many amazingly wonderful yet frustratingly challenging moments.

I saw this great quote, "Having a baby is a life-changer. It gives you a whole other perspective on why you wake up every day." I can easily say the same is true for starting a business, my newest baby. And since I'm definitely done having kids, I guess Live Well Yoga is my fourth child (yes, James is my third). ;)