Why My Time Is Free (I'm a Rebel)

I've had a million (okay slight exaggeration) people tell me that in business you should never "work for free". Duh. My electric bill isn't going to be paid with a high five and my big smile. However, working for free versus helping others is a fine line and something I'm asked about quite frequently.

Let me explain why some of what I do and some of what my company, AIM Advising, does is absolutely and completely free after so many people have told me it shouldn't be:

1 - Our mission was created with complete clarity and commitment: "Others First. Always." We didn't say "others first as long as they have money to pay us". We've stuck with our mission and made some hard choices based on that mission but it's always been the right choice in the end.

2 - We do have paid services which allow us to do some really awesome free stuff for people. Yes, there is revenue so thank goodness the electric bill can get paid and my always hungry son can eat. All of what we do is not free, but some things are and that's because our business helps a lot of people who are out of work and money is tight. We want to help them and this is how we can. (see why in #1) I'm a firm believer in "do what is right and the revenue will come". I haven't strayed from that since day one and it's turned out to be A-okay.

3 - I do provide free 30-minute calls or "consultations" because I want to get to know people and make sure they really do need our services. I don't want someone to buy our services if they don't really need them. I'm not interested in measuring sales conversions from these calls like so many tell me I should. I may be wrong for that but it's never been something I was concerned with. My hair on a humid day, why some companies force you to wear pantyhose, and why puppy bellies smell so perfect - those are things I'm concerned with. The truth is, I do these calls because I care about the person on the other end of the phone and want to help them even if that means just giving them some encouragement or a quick tip. You shouldn't have to pay me $50 to talk on the phone only to find out you don't really need to hire us for anything. I've had more business come to AIM from these free calls where that person never used our services (because they authentically didn't need them and I told them so!) who then turned around and told someone else about us which did bring in revenue. (see #2 and that whole "do what's right and the revenue will come" thing I told you about).

The reality is starting a business and running a business is hard. It's especially hard when there are so many resources, articles, "experts" and the like who say the way you are running your business isn't the "best way". Don't worry, you will have critics at every corner offering to help you change all the things they say are wrong with your model.

My advice to you is to figure out YOUR best way whether it's starting a business, changing careers, or getting that promotion you want so badly. Take all advice with a grain of salt because what works for one may not work for another. If I had followed every piece of advice I ever received I don't know what my business or career would look like today. You have to do it your way and learn some super fun and sometimes painful lessons as you go.

Don't sacrifice your mission for money. Don't sacrifice your passion for the easy route. Don't always listen to what the world tells you to be. #BeARebel

Want one of those free (gasp!) phone consultations with me? Click HERE and you can pick a time that works for both of us!