I used to say that entrepreneurship can be a lonely road for first-generation entrepreneurs. I mean, family keeps waiting for you to snap out of it, past colleagues think you're not around enough, even fellow entrepreneurs think you're doing it wrong. All of them often offer unwanted, sometimes outdated or irrelevant, advice.

Today, while I still acknowledge that entrepreneurship can be a lonely road, I'm clear that it doesn't have to be lonely. Shifting my mindset to accept that "whatever you focus on expands" and "what you expect you attract", whether you love it or fear it, I began to attract like-minded community. That community continues to grow, breathe, ebb and flow, as we all evolve. People come and go, and we accept this, loving them on their journey and embracing our own, but there is always a community loving you along. I'm not referring to community that demands that you be part of the herd. This is community that celebrates that you do things differently. Do you want that? Start expecting that to show up.

A Quick Check-in

Here's a quick check-in for those moments when you second-guess yourself for creating Your Affluence Business Model:

Optimize your ideal schedule around your energy. Stay alive and healthy. Getting paid well means delivering quality. A tired, distracted You does not deliver quality. Your ideal schedule books clients when you're best interacting, projects when you're best working solo. This demands that you know yourself well. Take the time. You're not helping anyone when you're burnt out.
Set sustainable prices that keep you in business. Thrive. When you're worried about paying bills, it's tough to be fully present, to give clients your full attention. Price-negotiators won't notice when you go out of business. Please, get paid. You can give back from your overflow, later.
Work only with those who value you, your offering and your time, at or above your pricing. It seems to be human nature - having babies, solving tough challenges, expensive possessions - "We All treat our $500 Jimmy Choo's better than we do our $5 Flip Flops". Run from negotiators.
No. It's a complete sentence that needs no explanation. When you lay your head down to sleep, who's in there with you? You may hear the echo of naysayers, but those folks are relaxing, watching Netflix or facing their own challenges. Stop trying to figure out how to get "them" to understand. Find those who already do. They Do exist.
Avoid scope creep. Know your process. One size rarely fits all. Hence your process. It's designed to create efficiencies so you have more time and energy to really focus on your unique client. It may also mean that you have time and mental space for more clients. you and your clients are clear on what you deliver (and don't), so scope creep is easier to spot and curb. Truly well off clients won't be jaded about the price they paid. If someone keeps trying to get more, walk. Run from those who are jaded.

In all you do, honour free will and respect the word No. You'll find that those you don't have to convince or negotiate with don't drain your energy, financial or otherwise. That being said, take what resonates here, and leave what doesn't. My words to you are only ever an invitation. 😉

In community or on your own

Are you ready to earn more, work less and serve better clients, better? Good bye hamster wheel, Hello blue ocean! Let's go. I said this earlier. I truly believe that, whether or not you work with me, yourself or someone else, the only work you need to so is on your mind, will, emotions. What do you believe? I'm here if you need me.

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About the Author

Crystal-Marie Sealy, MBA, is a dedicated mom, keynote speaker and entrepreneurial strategy consultant focused on sustainable business models for premium services entrepreneurs and professionals. President and founder of Successiory and her signature "Mindful Entrepreneurship for Mindful Affluence™", Crystal-Marie works with professionals who want to build sustainable (livable) business models around their lifestyles and create sustainable client community on social media. She also speaks and delivers workshops at business and motivational conferences on authenticity, entrepreneurial strategy — pricing, process, and pace i.e. feasible schedules and productivity — and client social media community. Connect with her and subscribe at www.successiory.ca