When I moved to Houston, Texas 11 years ago, I had no idea that after 6 months of working as a graphic designer at a church, I’d be laid off. It was a big move from Miami to Houston. We’re in a new city, with a new home, a car note, and the sole bread winner for a family of 3 women, 3 generations. I also didn’t have a lot of savings that time because of the move.
Thankfully, a few months before that happened, the Lord has allowed me to land a freelance graphic design gig at a local magazine. I made my whole entire annual salary in about 3-4 months doing this freelance gig.
However, even though it paid real good and I was working from home, I felt like a slave. I was working far too many hours on the projects and even though I wasn’t technically employed by the magazine, it seemed as if my hours were being monitored.
With no idea of where my next paycheck will come from, I decided to drop the gig and start my own web design company which made $50K within 6 months and then I later on got into I got into blogging. I made about $90K in one year after being laid off.
You can also read my story From Adversity to Prosperity: How I Went From Being Laid Off to Earning a Six-Figure Income.
Looking back, what seemed to be a set back for me turned out to be just a platform for God to catapult me to the next level. And I absolutely love working for myself! I love the freedom of being able to do whatever I want to do at any given time of day, week, month or year. The freedom of being financially blessed allows me to be a financial blessing to other people. It is such a joy to not have to work for someone else. And while we don’t have kids yet, I know that this decision to not get employed again that I made years ago was one of the best decisions I could have ever made for my future kids.
I am pretty sure that the word freedom resonates with a lot of you. After all, who doesn’t want that? You want the flexibility in your time to be able to spend more time and experience more precious moments with your family or partner. You also want to be able to make money doing what you love. That’s what freedom is all about. Being able to spend your energy on matters that you truly care about.
But I understand that making a decision from being employed and having that security of that next paycheck to working from home without knowing (yet) where the next check will come from and when, is pretty scary. There’s always that fear of the unknown. Yet, you will never know that you can walk on water until you step out of the boat.
How Do You Become Your Own Boss?
To be your own boss, you need to either be a self-employed are or a business owner. What’s the difference you might ask? Self-employed individuals are those who work for themselves and by themselves. They don’t have any employees. Examples of these are bloggers, freelancers, independent consultants, coaches, and other types of independent contractors.
Although some huge bloggers these days hire virtual assistants, they still mostly do all the work. Thus considered as self-employed.
Business owners, on the other hand, are those who own a business and have employees working for them. Examples of these are boutiques, shops, law firms, etc.
In my personal opinion, it is easier and faster to become your own boss in a short period of time by being self-employed than being a business owner. The set-up and launch of an actual business, especially if it’s a brick and mortar type, requires a lot of research, planning, and financial resources. It also takes usually takes some time for the business to take-off.
Thankfully, these days, the internet has allowed millions of individuals, including myself, to have the leisure of working from home through blogging. I’ve always believed that blogging is the best online business model out there. You can start becoming your own boss with a blog with a minimum investment, low overhead expenses and a sky-is-the-limit income potential. I make 6 figures doing this.
If you’re interested in finding out how you can start your own money-making blog, check out How to Start a Fashion, Lifestyle, Beauty, Food, or Travel Blog and Make Money From It. I also have a blogging course that will take you from point A to point B strategically and become your own boss in no time!
Three Important Tips When Planning to Quit Your Job and Becoming Your Own Boss:
1. Find What You’re Good At.
Usually, what you’re passionate about is what you’re good at. But other times, you can be passionate about something but not good at it. So instead of telling you to find your passion, I’d say find what you’re good at. Because what you’re good at is what people and companies are going to be drawn with. Being passionate about something you’re good at is definitely a bonus.
HOWEVER, I must also say if what you’re passionate about isn’t what you’re good at temporarily, with time and practice, you will eventually be good at it.
There are several things that you can do when you’re good at something: Create those products you are good in making or be a service provider, a consultant, or a coach.
For example: Are you good in making DIY herbal soaps? Create them and sell. You can also create an online course teaching how to create those soaps, be a consultant to a local shop about making them and selling them, or coach someone one on one. You get the point.
2. Invest in yourself.
I can’t stress enough the importance of investing in yourself first. Whatever you decide to do – whether it’s a work-from-home job such as blogging, e-commerce, or a freelance service provider, it’s going to take something from you. While you may be good or an expert on something, continue to educate yourself.
I’ve been a blogger for almost 8 years now but I still read a lot about blogging. I’m constantly learning from other successful bloggers.
Learn the ropes of starting a business or being self-employed. Buy a course if you must. Chances are, whatever niche you choose, there are people who are already successful before you. These people have already made mistakes so it’s only smart to learn from them and avoid the same mistakes they’ve made – saving you time and money.
3. Take the risk. Take action.
If there’s only one advise I can give to those of you who are contemplating in making this kind of move is to follow what your gut says and take the risk. You may be unhappy in your current career situation and no matter what you do, you can’t make yourself happy BECAUSE deep inside you, you know you gotta make that change, then make that change. Afraid? Do it afraid. I’m sure you’ve heard that before. Fear is a natural human emotion but don’t let it hold you back. What makes fear bad is when you let it take over you.
I’ve always been a risk taker. I’ve made many mistakes in my life. But I’ve lived and learned. The difference between then and now though is the amount of free information as well as courses that’s readily available to help you navigate in this journey.
Being your own boss and having a work and life balance is priceless. These days, I’m enjoying flexibility in my time, earning a full time income doing what I love.
I hope that you will be bold enough to take that step!
Love this post Lynn!! So inspiring!
XO
@stylemelauren
http://www.stylemelauren.com
This is an inspiring post. Love your work <3
Taking that first bold step is always major. Sometimes we need a push
http://www.stylediarybyosy.com/
great inspiration!
http://modaodaradosti.blogspot.ba/