Confessions of an Entrepreneur

These are my confessions...

Being an entrepreneur is exciting. You have your own business, make your own decisions, and have a certain level of freedom that cannot be found in a traditional 9-to-5 job. But it also comes with its challenges. As someone who has been running my public health consultancy for 4 years, I have to confess that it is not all sunshine and rainbows. In this blog post, I will share with you some of my confessions about the life of an entrepreneur.

Confession #1: I struggle with work-life balance

It's ironic, really, because the whole point of starting my own business was to have more control over my time. But the reality is that I find it hard to switch off from work. Even when I'm supposed to be on vacation or spending time with my family, my mind is constantly racing with ideas and to-do lists. I often tell my husband "even when I'm off, I'm on" when I want him to get off my back about working so much. But here's the kicker. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE TO WORK! I am a self-diagnosed workaholic and I also use work as a form of distraction from the stressors of personal life. Add all of this together and I'm running on fumes in October, and completely out of gas by December...

Confession #2: I sacrifice my self-care for success

As a business owner, there's always something that needs to be done - emails to respond to, strategies to plan, meetings to attend, client deliverables. The list is endless. And as a result, my self-care often gets pushed aside in favor of getting things done. In fact, if I'm completely honest, it will be the first thing to be left undone on my to do list. I have prioritized my business over my personal life and self-care for the last two years. In fact, I used to think that sacrificing self-care was necessary for my business to succeed. That putting in long hours and constantly being available was what it took to make my business truly successful. But what I didn't realize is that neglecting my own well-being was actually hindering my success in the long run. (Refer back to confession #1)...

Confession #3: I have fear of success

Starting a business takes guts. But even as I've grown my business and achieved various milestones, self-doubt still creeps in. Sure, I've asked myself the usual questions "What if I'm not good enough?' "What if my business fails?" But I've overcome those anxieties. Now, I'm asking "What if my business succeeds?" I mean, what if I become really successful? More successful than I could have ever imagined. To whom much is given, much is required, right? Am I really ready for what comes with real business success? Will I have to sacrifice even more time away from my family? Will I continue to sacrifice my self-care? What if I never figure out how to balance? Am I doing everything that God wants me to do? Will I be able to help everyone that I need to help? Will I get stretched too thin? It really does make me anxious to think about the unknowns that come with business success...

Confession #4: I stopped going to God for my business

I consider myself to be a woman of faith. I am a BELIEVER. Ironically, I don't identify as a Christian (cause Lord knows Christians have given Christianity a bad rap) instead I chose to identify as a follower of Jesus Christ. When I first started my business I looked to God to guide me through most of my business decisions. I remember clearly telling my first full-time employee "please allow me some time to think and pray about my decision to hire you. I want to make sure that it's what God wants me to do". Then I secured my first 6-figure contract, then several 5- figure contracts. The money started pouring in and I got busy with client projects and forgot to consult with God regarding business matters. Well, let me tell you about entrepreneurship. The highs are high, but the lows are low. Entrepreneurship is a rollercoaster ride. One day, you might land a big client or have a breakthrough idea that propels your business forward. The next, you might lose a client or have a project fall through. I found myself forgetting about God when things were good but remembering him when things got rocky and uncertain (as we humans tend to do)...

Confession #5: It's all worth it.

Even with all the challenges that I've confessed, I wouldn't trade being an entrepreneur for anything. There's something incredibly rewarding about building something from scratch, seeing it grow, and having the ability to shape your own destiny. Yes, it can be hard at times, and filled with self-doubt, worry, and come with lots of anxiety, but the sense of fulfillment and purpose that comes with running a successful business is, at times, beyond words.

I am grateful for the new year and a new beginning of sorts. I'm been able to take time to reflect on these shortcomings and ways that I can improve in these areas. I have recommitted to taking care of myself and incorporating self-care activities daily (not just weekly or monthly). I have began returning to God with my business affairs which has given me peace and clarity helping me stay grounded and focused on the bigger picture and my ultimate purpose. In the midst of it all, I have learned that being an entrepreneur is not just about chasing success and money, but about finding fulfillment and staying true to your values. Entrepreneurship for me means being "purpose-driven" and "profit-focused" and it's a journey, a journey filled with ups and downs, and one that has taught me invaluable lessons along the way.

If you're thinking about becoming an entrepreneur, my advice would be to go for it, but also be prepared for the challenges that come with it. Remember to take care of yourself physically, mentally, and spiritually, and never forget why you started in the first place. Remember your purpose. Know that you're not alone in your struggles and that it's a journey worth taking. And when things get tough, just remember that it's all worth it in the end. Keep pushing forward and never give up on your dreams.

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Quisha Umemba is The PublicHealthPreneur. She teaches "helping professionals" how to leverage their expertise and monetize their skillset so they can start, grow, and scale a profitable public health consulting business using her proven step-by-step system. Find out how you can cultivate a "purpose-driven, profit-focused" lifestyle by visiting https://quishaumemba.com/