How My Time in My Family’s Business Got Me to Where I Am Today

Our paths shape who we are, and like many other entrepreneurs, I faced more obstacles than I can count and met a lot of hardship, enough that I questioned my next steps and had to do a lot of personal growth. However, with each hurdle I saw, I jumped over and used it as a stepping stone to my next stage in life. Once again, like every entrepreneur, I never let myself give up when I knew the potential I had in myself.?

My introduction to entrepreneurship started in my family’s business, and while it did not have a fairy tale ending, it did lead me to where I am today, helping other businesses find their warranted success, and with that, I could not be more grateful.?

The Beginning – The Family Business?

My family’s business is NextPage?., based right here in Kansas City, Missouri. It is where my entrepreneurial journey began.?

The first title I had under my family’s business was Bookkeeper. It wasn’t flashy, but it was my first chance to truly hone my skills and dig my heels into the business world. It was my first taste of what was to come. This job had me processing accounts receivable and payable and invoicing customers. After two years, I moved up to Product Division Production Manager. Now, it is important to remember that while it was a family business, I was not handed my titles without good reason. I worked for my positions and continued to grow through the years to earn what was given to me. For eight years, I managed production for the digital printing department. Through those years, I grew and learned what it meant to succeed individually and as a group. Everything I learned since day one in my family’s business I carry with me to this day.??

Then, the last title I earned in the family business was that of Co-Owner and CIO. During this time, we grew the company from $2 million to over $18 million in revenue. The business grew bigger than it ever had been and became one of the leading businesses in its industry. All of this to say, I was proud of the work done and even prouder of myself for my growth over the 17 years of my time there. It shaped me and taught me more than I could have ever dreamed. However, that growth led me toward some tough decisions.?

The Middle – My Growth In Between?

Being there for almost two decades showed me the highs and lows of working with your family, and while I eventually earned the title of Co-Owner, I reached a point in the business where I saw that my seat at the table was no longer there. This is not to say I did not enjoy my time there or did not appreciate every moment, but I was learning that I had the potential to do much more than what I was doing, and the business was going in directions that I could no longer follow with a clear conscience.?

Whether it is you or someone else in your family who realizes that their seat is no longer there, it takes patience, consideration, and planning to take the next steps to ensure the business and the individual are set up for success. No matter the situation, you can’t place blame on the individual, and everyone involved is now responsible for ensuring that when that person leaves, the business is not rattled because of it. At the end of the day, change is inevitable, and this transition might prove to be essential for the business’s (and the individual’s) well-being. And most importantly, help ensure that they have a graceful exit. This is your family and a business that means a lot to you and them; a graceful exit is essential. When I knew it was my time to leave, I made sure the business was prepared and ready for such a significant transition.?

So, I took 17 years of experience, knowledge, and growth and decided to see what else was in the world for me. And let me tell you, that shift was a scary one. Leaving stability to return to school, venture to new opportunities, and find a new path is not something to take lightly, but I did it with my chin held high and optimism coursing through me.?

At my core, I knew I wanted to help others. My travels took me back to school initially. I earned a degree in counseling with the vision to help people individually, but entrepreneurship and business life were still tugging at my sleeve. I knew there had to be a way to combine my two passions.?

After seeing the troubles that family businesses go through and how the passion of a business can be lost, I figured out what path I needed to take. I wanted to help other businesses and leaders find that passion again to become the best they can be to not only succeed professionally but personally. Of course, now I needed to find out how I was going to do that.?

Where I Am Today – Helping Businesses of All Sizes

That is when I found the Entrepreneurial Operating System? (EOS?) and became a? Professional EOS Implementer?. Under this profession, I can work closely with businesses and leaders of all kinds to solve their root problems, lead more effectively, build a better business, and live a better life. EOS provides clarity to businesses that have hit the ceiling and can’t break through.. My role as a teacher, facilitator, and coach helps take the mystery out of where the company is headed, what’s expected of everyone, what numbers really matter, what the real issues are, and how to establish a pulse so businesses can achieve peace of mind for the family and the business. I am the bridge between the lost passion and the success of the future of businesses of all sizes and stages of growth. EOS is a complete set of simple concepts and practical tools that help business owners and their leadership teams clarify, simplify, and achieve their vision for the business.

This is everything I was hoping to provide to the world. Having the ability to wake up every day to help entrepreneurs and leaders who want to better themselves is everything I could have wanted.?

The Future – Always Looking Ahead

Starting as a bookkeeper and coming to where I am today showed me that you should become more friendly with the tough choices in life. There is no end to the amount of growth one person can do within their life, and I know that I am not done learning and evolving in my industry. I have more businesses to help and more leaders to reignite. Remember, there is no expiration date on education. Go back to school, take an online course, find a mentor, and take those risks to excel in your career. My family’s business holds a special place in my heart, not just because it’s my family’s but because it showed me my worth and showed me how much more potential I have.?

Every business and leader has the ability to grow. Are you stuck, or are you looking for professional growth? Send me a message or contact me through EOS Worldwide !?

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