ONE YEAR IN FULL-TIME ENTREPRENEURSHIP!!!
This past Friday, I celebrated ONE YEAR IN FULL-TIME ENTREPRENEURSHIP!!
What a year it’s been!!! Here’s the scoop:
Writing has always been a side hustle while I advanced in my healthcare operations career, earned a master’s degree, and became a Six Sigma Green Belt. As I progressed from Administrative Assistant, Project Management, and finally, Consumer Experience Design, writing remained consistent, and Sam’s Word was born December 2015!
Surprisingly, these jobs were never my priority. Well, the steady pay, benefits, and perks were very much a priority, but writing was my passion. Writing is what I love to do, it doesn’t require tremendous effort, and I can earn money while doing it!
Throughout my career, Sam’s Word has always been my most reliable source of income.
This was proven after suffering exhaustive months in corporate, with a micromanager from hell, who didn’t like my tone (yeah, she said it). After receiving a management-orchestrated written warning, I was furious but very familiar with constructive discharge.
My husband asked why I was so upset. He reminded me I didn’t even like the job and said, “You’re not giving your job or Sam’s Word 100%. Whichever you pick, you’re going to dominate. But right now, neither has your full attention.”
He was right, and if I were to choose, Sam’s Word would win. However, I didn’t have a cushion of savings to land on, which prevented me from taking the leap from corporate. Over the next few months, I strategized about what I would do when I inevitably got fired.
Then, Wednesday, October 2, 2019, I received an email from the micromanager from hell scheduling a meeting in 10 minutes. I was immediately upset! How dare she schedule a meeting starting in 10 minutes??
My mindset immediately shifted – How do I replace and increase my income?
I’ve kept this mindset throughout my first year in full-time entrepreneurship.
Here’s what I did to increase income and exposure and expand Sam’s Word:
Consistently raised my prices
Sought new opportunities – became the Entrepreneur-In-Residence (EIR) at the New Haven Free Public Library
Started diligently using LinkedIn’s ProFinder tool
Entered into several long-term revenue-generating contracts
Partnered with the University of Hartford Entrepreneurial Center & Women’s Business Center
Became KNOWN Coworking’s Program Manager for the KNOWNPreneur Mentorship & Training program
Joined the Arts in CT Board of Directors
Joined the Black Business Alliance Board of Directors
Became a Consultant with the Community Foundation For Greater New Haven
Developed profitable partnerships with other business owners
Expanded my services
March 2020 – Began offering social media management services
June 2020 – Created a 90-day mentorship program
August 2020 – Introduced website development and management services
October 2020 – Launched Melanated Business Coaching
In December, Sam’s Word will be celebrating our 5th year in business, and I’m so excited for the future!
Special thanks to my team:
Yarnique Spivey, Chief Content Architect & Social Media Manager
Latisha Douglas, Director of Data Strategy and Finance
Yasmin Flack, Technical Content Developer
Jenna D’Amico, Senior Statistical Economics Consultant – Jenna reminded me, she’s been on the team for 9 years!!!! Thanks, Jenna!!
