One Year In.
Taking the Leap
I didn’t get into this work feeling 100% confident or knowing exactly what would unfold when it all started. I got started because I was curious about a problem affecting a population I cared about. And although I’ve had waves of doubt almost every month since this past year, I felt like I had something in me that would be helpful to finding creative solutions for women athletes in transition.
In April of last year I was doing a half-ass job search…meaning I was looking for full-time jobs in the healthcare industry even though my heart was pulling me towards the women’s sports space. I thought I could balance building a business and working at another healthcare startup to ease some financial burdens along the way. Thankfully, I got rejected from the last company I applied to. But I remember the day I got the email and I cried.
I was scared to start my own business, scared to dive in full force, scared to not have a safety net of something to fall back on, but I decided to give it my all for 6 months. And within those 6 months, soooo much momentum had built up. And although I hadn’t made much money, I couldn’t turn away from the feeling I had working in this world.
One year in, I’ve had so many wins and losses and even though I’m not where I thought I would be, I couldn’t be more motivated to work towards my vision because this past year has taught me to believe in myself and where to focus my energy.
What I’m Taking with Me…
1. Unlikely Happenings
One thing you should know about me is that I’ve never done business development or sales before. I’m a recovering people-pleaser and pitching myself is not a hobby I’ve acquired over the past year as an entrepreneur. I’m also an aggressively average golfer who enjoys a day in the sun whenever it presents itself.
When a friend asked if I wanted to play a round of golf with him and his friend, I said yes. My friend told me I should practice talking about my work to him while we were golfing. So in true Amanda fashion, I waited until the 18th hole and then talked about my work. Something I said piqued his friend’s interest enough to want to chat with me more the next week.
So we did, and that terribly played round of golf and seemingly innocent practice pitch led me to do executive coaching for former athletes who are now CEO’s for the GOAT herself -- Serena Williams. Working with Serena Ventures was certainly not on my roadmap or strategic plan for year 1 of this business, but the lesson I’m taking with me is…
Stay flexible and open-minded to who can teach you something or where a connection will happen.
2. Celebrate the Firsts
I’ve lovingly been called a labrador by my sister and take pride in getting excited by the big and small things in life. It feels a bit different when you’re running your own business and there’s always work left to do or new heights to reach.
Earlier this year, I was turned on to first and second wins by a friend and fellow entrepreneur. The first win is the act of doing something (or what you can control). The second win is what comes back to you because of the first win (something you typically have little control over).
So with every ‘first’ in the past year, I’ve tried to celebrate them as wins.
Whether that was my first 1:1 client, workshop, podcast, blog post, newsletter, business website, invoice, proposal, collaboration, IG post, LinkedIn post, networking event…you get the picture. I took a moment to acknowledge the first win and tried to release the pressure of expectations coming from those moments.
3. I’m a Solopreneur, not a Lone Wolf
As a solopreneur, I found this past year to be a lonely venture. At first, I had folks assisting with discrete items -- copyrighting my website, SEO marketing, social media, etc. Then I started realizing I was longing for a thought partner, a strategist and someone to challenge me.
I started intentionally building relationships with a network of folks who could act as mentors, cheerleaders, sounding boards -- folks who would provide me with honest feedback, tough love and accountability.
This was a game changer in believing this work was sustainable beyond just year one for me. I may be a solopreneur, but I’m no lone wolf.
So collaborating with others and building a network of folks who can act as a board of advisors is something I can’t wait to keep building in year two.
What I’m Shedding…
Imposter Syndrome
I may not be everyone’s cup of tea and I see that as a natural filtration process to help make a bigger impact with folks who want to do the work together. Last year, I often thought about what I didn’t bring to the table instead of focusing on how my lived experiences could benefit women athletes in transition. So in year two, I’m leaving this mentality behind and focusing on continuing to hone the skills I find most important for my clients’ success.
Timelines
Rejection is often a daily or weekly occurrence in the entrepreneurship world. Something I wasn’t used to. But now, I’m taking rejection and an unpredictable sales cycle in stride, leaving behind any expectations that I can predict when folks will be ready to work with me. Just keep hustling.
Perfection
The art of perfection is something I think so many athletes chase. In the world of entrepreneurship, and trying to sustain a business and a life that I’m proud of, perfection is a daily rebalance. I continue to shed the desire to be perfect when it creeps in and I try to understand what’s most important to me right now -- and focus on that.
Why Keep Going?
Entrepreneurship is kind of like this…
Orrr like this…
The good is really good…learning something new every single day, about my work, this industry, myself, what I want, what I definitely don’t want, etc. The not so good is terrifying, but luckily this feeling has only been temporary and then typically excitement takes over (enter labrador energy).
There’s no denying the world of women’s sports is changing, hopefully forever. And with that will come so many opportunities to meet, care for and celebrate all parts of women in sports.
I care about the women athletes in transition. I care deeply about the clients I work with and how I can better prepare myself to help these athletes…so here’s to year one.
And LFG to year two!
—A
