I started my business because I originally went to school for interior design but only completed a two-year degree because I had my son and decided to stay home and raise a family. I knew I would want to work in the field someday in some aspect but I put it off. As I raised my two children, I eventually faced the obstacle of an autoimmune disease my son developed for four years and I had to homeschool him.
He was a freshman in high school when he developed a very severe case of POTS. He spent months not being able to move and we didn't know if he would ever get better. That became the main focus of my life. I had to overcome feelings of hopelessness as I watched my child deteriorate and watched his dreams crumble.
I had to fight feelings of guilt, wondering if there was something I did wrong or didn't do that could have prevented this. I had to fight lack of motivation for anything aside from the overwhelming drive to heal my baby.
I definitely had to work on my self as I did everything I could to help him. I tried to remember that I was doing the best I could and that I was still a person with dreams too.
I had to overcome feelings of hopelessness as I watched my child deteriorate and watched his dreams crumble. I had to fight feelings of guilt, wondering if there was something I did wrong or didn't do that could have prevented this.
Thankfully, he is doing leaps and bounds better so with both of my children about to venture off to college (my son in the fall and my daughter in two years) I decided to take a leap to start my own home organization business even though it scared me.
My initial love for interior design morphed into a love for organizing. As a mom I know how hectic and overwhelming life can get, especially when you end up with too many things creating clutter. I have seen friends struggle with an overwhelming number of possessions that they don't really need or want. I realized that many people really need guidance when it comes to organization and I want to help people by bringing order and functional beauty to their lives.
The biggest challenges I faced starting my business were lack of funding and getting my name out there to find clients. I love people but I am not exactly outgoing. I have been more on the shy side my entire life, so promoting myself was extremely outside of my comfort zone. I am still working on overcoming this, but it's hard. It's hard when I see how easy it is for my outgoing friends. I have to give myself pep talks on a daily basis.
I have to give myself pep talks on a daily basis.
I have felt at times like giving up because self-doubt and comparison creeps in, but I don't and I won't. I know I have something wonderful to offer and I also know the example I am setting for my children as they watch me overcome the hard and overwhelming times, persisting until I succeed.
I have felt at times like giving up because self-doubt and comparison creeps in, but I don't and I won't.
When I was first starting out and mentioned to a friend what I was thinking of doing for a business, they voiced how hard it would be for me since I tend to be shy and that I would have trouble competing with all the established outgoing organizers. I am not sure this person even meant to be hurtful or realized what they were saying but it tore me down for a good week or so. I spent a lot of time thinking about it and realized there are all types of professionals with different personalities as well as all types of clients. I also told myself that the opinions of others are just that, their opinion and I am the one in control of the outcome.
Comments