Real & Raw: My Biz Journey

I think hearing the real and raw stories instead of the peaches and cream persona that some coaches portray is really important to feeling confident in building your business.

The thing about online or other media is that you can see a snapshot of someone through a post or picture and your mind can run away with the fantasy of it all.

Which does a disservice because the last thing you need is to go down a fantastical rabbit hole.

Great for the movies, not so great in real life because you know where that rabbit hole goes.

Right back to where you started. Womp Womp.

Right back to working for someone else or having to fit your life into a box that you didn't create.

Right back to feeling uninspired or downright miserable because you know deep inside you’ve got major gifts to share and a huge impact to make.

You want real results, clients and a life that aligns with your heart and soul.

Plus, you want something sustainable right?

I know I do!

I want a business that I can give to that also keeps giving back: to me, to itself, to others . . . for years to come.

Nothing with longterm success is ever built on instant gratification and empty promises.

We need each other to keep it real, stay authentic and committed to stay the course.

This is what a heart centered entrepreneur with a spiritual business is all about.

Which means I have to come clean too.

Which is something I never wanted to do.

Hiding protectively behind my expert status felt safer in the past.

i.e. my caretaker and perfectionist parts were still running the show.

It means talking about the things that didn't work out and the real struggles that I've been though in .

It's easier to talk about the things that came easy.

So let me begin with somewhere in the middle . . . .

I started my business back in 2012.

I was working for a mental health agency at the time, feeling stuck because I was burnout. I wasn't able to make my own hours. I couldn't say no if I felt like I had too many clients.

I had no control over the income I was making.

I began to claim my power right then and there.

I started to express my needs. I started to believe that the universe didn't want me to be on this planet and unhappy.

For a time, my environment changed as I did.

I got promotions.

My caseload went down.

I became a director and was doing professional development and wellness trainings for staff.

I was marketing and teaching at schools affiliated with our agency and was getting a tremendous response at my speaking abilities.

However, I still felt stuck.

I wasn't able to make the choices that I wanted.

While I had more flexibility than before I was still on someone else's clock and schedule.

Most importantly, I started to see a lot of experiences from higher management that were completely misaligned with my values.

There was a huge disconnect of integrity, compassion and honesty which were and still are major pillars for me.

Despite a ton of red flags, I kept doing the same thing each day, too comfortable in my reality to find out how to take the next step.

The universe had other plans for me though.

Six months after I got promoted to a director position out of nowhere it was eliminated.

I was shocked and angry how it happened.

At the same time I felt an inner voice telling me this was exactly what I needed.

I knew the Universe had come in to give me a big ol' kick in the bootie.

It knew I wasn't going to make my move on my own so it said:

"Let's go Jen! We've got things to do! It's time to start that business of yours you've been wanting."

Accepting a demotion didn't feel good.

My illusion of a "secure" paycheck was shattered as I became acutely aware that regardless of how much effort I put into the job it wasn't up to me whether I could stay or go.

I checked in with my intuition again which lives in my body.

Despite everyone around me trying to talk me out of it, I knew this was my opportunity and sign.

I dived in to developing my website, creating offers and putting myself out there. I wanted to help clients, teach large groups of women how to heal through workshops, retreats and courses and also be location independent.

Here's the kicker. My private therapy practice filled!!

Within 4-5 months, I was able to support myself with a self-made income working only 15 hours a week.

So what did I do next?