How I lost my retirement savings.

I recently shared the story of my entrepreneurial journey and how I ended up where I am today. The response was amazing - so many people reached out who resonated with my story.

To be clear, I'm nowhere near my final destination. My story is just beginning - so much more is coming. But it became evident to me recently that we often glorify entrepreneurship. We share only the good parts - the sparkly parts. We don't share the tears, the confusion, the times we almost quit, the constant questioning, the imposter syndrome, or the long hours.

And the truth is, we don't even usually recognize entrepreneurs until they demonstrate some sort of success. That's when they become a blip on our radar. That's when we are drawn to them. And that's when we start to consider if maybe entrepreneurship is the route for us.

Inspired by the image of the seemingly overnight success, of the smiling face that keeps popping up on our newsfeed, the multiple testimonials, the beautiful images of vacations and travel - we decide to pursue a small business of our own.

70% of businesses fail in the first five years.

If you've been a part of my audience for a while or read any of my previous newsletters, you know I'm all about intentional creation of the life of your dreams. I truly believe anything is possible.

But I'm also about authenticity and truth. You can have anything, you can do anything - but you have to be willing to overcome the barriers, shift your mindset, and do the work. You have to be consistent. And above anything else - you have to be resilient.

I've failed over and over again. The only reason I'm still standing is because I intentionally choose to be resilient. I intentionally choose to perceive failure as a pivot point rather than an endpoint. I intentionally choose to show up every single day.

Here's my story:

In 2015, I bought a website that sold continuing education courses. I had recently given birth to my first baby and was dealing with the guilt of returning to work. I thought a CEU website would be easy and something I could do from home.

Lack of experience, lack of research, impulsivity, and lack of preparation set me up to fail before I had even began. I didn't know anyone who had a similar business model and I knew nothing about running a website. I was on my own.

I quickly found out that the website was fatally flawed and unusable. I didn't know how to fix it and I didn't have the additional funds required to hire someone to do it for me.

In 2015, I closed my first business to the tune of a 7k loss, I didn't even make it a year.

Fast forward 3 years.

In 2018, I was teaching full time at a local college. I enjoyed teaching, I loved my students.

But the entrepreneur inside of me was screaming to be let out.

I had a dream on my heart.

My dream was to open my own business using my skills as a pediatric OT.

I wasn't making the same mistakes I made last time.

This time I did the research, found a mentor, enrolled in a coaching program.

I did everything that a successful business owner should do.

And in 2019 I did it, I made my dream come true.

I opened a Play Cafe in Upstate NY that catered to children 6 and younger.

I drained my entire retirement to fund my dream and make my vision come to life.

In 2020 covid hit.

In 2020 my business closed.

All of my retirement savings were gone.

In 2020 I felt lost, confused, restless, and unsure what to do next.

Enter resiliency stage left. I refused to fail. I refused to give up. I set the intention to be successful.

I frantically begin learning everything I could about online businesses, marketing, leadership, sales funnels, website building....

In 2020 I stepped in my next business. I pivoted into the online space and started helping healthcare professionals make their career dreams come true.

In 2021, I continued working with clinicians from all over the world and loved every second of it.

Sharing the joy in other's success completely fills my cup.

It is now 2022 and I have re-opened my brick & mortar business in collaboration with a therapy group to provide early intervention services in my community.

In 2022 I am re-strategizing my online business to serve high performing women who want it ALL - happiness, purpose, and fulfillment.

Dreams are placed on your heart for a reason.

So often we let fear stop us in our tracks. We perceive failure as a sign that we are on the wrong path.

I could have stopped after business #1 failed.

I could have stopped when covid hit and swept the rug out from under me with business #2 and I lost all of my retirement savings.

But I kept going and made pivots as necessary.

And that's what got me to where I am today.

And I'm still working, still showing up every single day.

Do not let fear of failure hold you back. You are the intentional creator of your life.

Failure is a perception. I perceive failure as a pivot point. Remain resilient.

Keep going. The mountain is steep, but the view at the top is worth it.

I hope you follow the dreams on your heart.

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