Dear Me Starting Out! 10 Lessons for Me When I Was Starting Out
When I first started working for myself, I had no idea how transformative the journey would be.
Looking back over my photos on Facebook creating the image above, it just made me realise how much I did, how much courage I had to put myself out there. What you don't see is the fear, I really had inside. The anxiety, the worries, the knees knocking, the stomach churning but doing it anyway. This is what doing it imperfectly looks like. Just taking one step in front of the next.
I remember working for myself, a toddler in the playpen and pregnant on number 2 and knowing in my heart that I did not want to go back to 9-5. I didn't really know what I wanted but I knew it wasn't 9-5. My husband worked in the UK and I had 2 small ones. I had to figure something else out. And so I began working for myself.
However, I know I made it tough on myself. I actually got alot of things right from the beginning but I just didn't give myself enough credit!! I know things could have been easier. Sometimes it felt like hunting in the dark, with glimmers of hope like fire flies in the night. But I kept going! I knew in my heart this is what I am made for. I didn't realise at the time the courage it would take to go on this journey but maybe better that I didn't!
Gosh if I could go back in time like The Back To The Future Movie, spark through lightning to go back to me starting who was there with her laptop and toddler in the playpen starting out, these are some of the things I would say to her over a gorgeous cup of pukka peppermint and cacao energy balls, here’s what I’d say:
Lesson 1. Stop Judging Yourself – You’re Doing Amazing!
When I first started, I only had a Facebook page and a PayPal link. I felt like an amateur and constantly compared myself to others with flashy websites. I spent too much time worrying about how I was going to "make it" instead of focusing on the people I was helping in real-time. If I could go back, I’d tell myself to focus on the impact I was making rather than feeling inadequate. You don't need to have it all figured out to start making a difference! I was making a real difference with real people that is what counts. And on your journey don't do it all alone! Also you do not have to do it alone, get as much coaching as you can and also personal healing because you are going on a big journey you need all the support and resilience you can get.
Lesson 2. Use Free Tools for as Long as Possible
You don’t need all the fancy, expensive tools to run a business. I’ve learned that you can build something amazing using free tools like Facebook pages, Facebook groups and PayPal links, until you have a steady income. The key is to know your audience, understand their problem, and deliver a solution with the tools available to you. The geek in me loved playing with new tech, keep your focus on the people. Paying, non-paying they are who count.
Lesson 3. Build Your Audience
Actually this, I do not need to say much because you did an amazing job building your audience. But that is not what you would call it is it? No I would say I am just helping people, more people come and I just help them. Building an audience is a technical term for just helping people! It’s important to offer value while putting yourself out there. You did this so naturally because you just wanted to help people.
Yes, focus on creating helpful content, but also let people know how they can work with you. Even if your audience is small, don’t hesitate to share your offers—growing and selling can happen at the same time.
Lesson 4. You Have to Make Offers
No matter how much value you’re providing, to run a business you need sales, end of story. you need money in every week. This is like your grand mother's singer sewing machine, remember the peddle on the bottom. To sow you have to keep tapping. Well, to be in business you have to keep selling your goods. So keep helping people yes, but also keep making offers sprinkled on top. I learned that you need to be willing to sell—because if you don’t ask, you won’t receive. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there! Here is where the courage comes in, because you think you need to become someone else to achieve your success, in fact it is the opposite, you have to be more you than ever before! Yes truly, in fact this will save you so much time, if you accept this now.
Lesson 5. Move from Selling to Serving
Now I know I just told you to make more offers, however, one of the most important shifts I’ve made is from selling to serving. When you start making decisions based on the people you're helping rather than your own gains, everything changes. It’s not just about selling a product or service; it’s about solving problems and making a real impact. This is where true growth happens. How do you go from selling to serving, well you open your heart, you keep helping people and you lead your business with their success in your mind and heart, and then all will come right. You are actually doing this now but you don't realise it, you may get lost for a bit but keep coming back to this.
Lesson 6. Start Building a Community and Email List Early
You are doing great at building your community, but don't stop. This is where you need your heart to open wide and keep serving them. I would’ve started building my email list from day one. It’s never too early to start collecting contacts and nurturing relationships. An email list is one of the most valuable assets you can have. You are so capable of all of this. Keep moving forward each day, take big steps, small steps, tiny steps. Just don't stop moving, because then you will doubt yourself. You are amazing keep going.
Lesson 7. Don’t Chase Social Media Trends
I hopped and skipped between social media, always using Facebook most. There will always be the next big platform, but instead of jumping onto every trend, I recommend focusing on platforms with staying power. For me, YouTube is one of those platforms, unfortunately, I always only dabbled in it, but I am using it more now. Youtube, youtube, youtube!
Lesson 8. Manage Your Money Early and Often
Gosh I was terrible with finances, I have improved a bit but still alot of work to do here! Just like when you worked in the shop you saw your mam tot up the takings for the day. Keep it simple what went out, what came in and how did you do today. I wish I had read Profit First book sooner. Getting organized with your finances is critical. From the very beginning, track your money, manage your expenses, and work on overcoming any mindset blocks around money. This is tougher than you realise, I didn't even know I had mindset blocks until I began studying Denise Duffield Thomas, highly recommend her books. Know where your business stands financially every day, and you’ll will be able to course correct faster. And look let's be honest you are probably not going to do everyday so let's do every week or at least every month!!!
Lesson 9. Focus On The People You Help
And the last one then is count the people that you help, whether they pay for you service or not. Just make a difference. Increase the number of people that you help every day. And the right things will come your way. I know it might sound cliche but it is so true, you are doing this now because you are eager and starting out, but a few years down the line, when things get a little more complicated and life get's busier, you can loose track of the essentials not on purpose but because life can sometimes take over. So of all the advice today do not forget this one. This is the golden rule, because why else are we here if we cannot bring people together and make a difference.
Lesson 10. Be More Visible! People will judge you if you do and if you don't.
Oh gosh butterfly, you do not realise it but you are still in your cocoon, You will come out, because you have to, you have to learn to fly and be fully you. People will judge you whatever you do, so you might aswell do what you want to do! And here is the thing if you don't do it, not doing your soul purpose will crush you from the inside out, at some point this pain becomes more than the fear of being visible. This happened us, I was too afraid to be seen, too afraid to do what I really wanted to do until eventually I said screw it this is me. I'm tech, I am woo woo all combined. I am heart centered. I have purpose to help ignite and light up the souls of women to earn in a whole new way. And I am going for it! What a day of freedom that was, actually that happened many days. So much so I even created a course The Visibility Cure to help others just like me get over their fears and put their work and themselves out there!
You do not know it yet but you have a purpose and a mission, it is evolving, you are here to help so many people, so keep walking forward with your heart guiding you. That does not mean you do not make good business decisions, in fact it means you will make even better ones.
No matter where you are in your journey, remember this: progress is better than perfection. Show up, serve others, and success will follow. Success isn’t about having everything perfect—it’s about taking action. Whether you’re just starting out or figuring out your next step, keep going. You’ve got this, and I’m here cheering you on every step of the way.
If you’re ready to take your business to the next level, sign up for my free Online Business Training Camp below or just reach out to me in the DM's on my socials to have a chat about how I can help you.
You have got this, have courage every day and if you do not have courage just take tiny actions.
Sleep well, and often, mind yourself and most of all you are doing great!
If your light goes out come back and read this, you have got this!
all my love
Martha, from the future :)
xxxx
P.S. If you would like 2 weeks of free access to one of my programs where I help business owners get to their next level in income and life, send a DM to one of my social media accounts with the word - Access!
