The First Dream
Most of us were convinced that our very first business idea would make us a millionaire and if you didn’t dream that big, provide a stable and comfortable income. I would be the first to say, I have! My entrepreneurship journey began at the tender age of 25 years old. With faith in hand and a dream in mind, I began my journey with the most cliché niche ever, clothing.
I am not downplaying this essential, financially liberating and statistically profitable nature of business, however, being blunt, I was not the person for this area of business. I am not a huge fashion person but I knew where there is a will, there is a way. Sales began slow, shocker!
This business commenced in the era where social media marketplaces and digital marketing aids such as ads, ecommerce websites and profiles were not a thought in Mark Zuckerberg’s head. Thus, every dollar came from toiling and hustling my next paying client, praying the old reliable word-of-mouth form of marketing reared its head.
Within my first few months of this business venture I found myself wearing more than I was selling my items. This meant I was losing and not gaining. As the accounting student and avid business reader I was, and still am, I knew something had to change or simply close the existing business. That was exactly what I did.
Facing the Truth with Faith
I never had the thought of failing looming behind me, because I truly believed that this venture would have been successful. But the truth outweighed my dreams. Fortunately, with faith in hand, I was able to move to my second venture but there was a delay.
Becoming a mother and being comforted in the arms of a 9-5, the idea of being a business owner was in the stratosphere. But, the thoughts of “what if” came as my journey with Christ grew and so did my faith. My mind constantly oscillated between stability coupled with certainty and being the pilot of my ship called life.
The Birth of NSJ
That’s where the idea of NSJ came. I explicitly recall sitting on the floor of my home, yes my home, purchased on my time and efforts sold to corporate Trinidad, and I decided to use my skills and love for accounting and turn it into hard cash.
Differing from my first venture, I knew accounting, I loved accounting, I spent many years learning and mastering this field. Thus, I was not jumping in with no knowledge of what’s at the bottom of the cliff. I started by planning my ideas and what the business should represent. I registered it, yes! Everything was done legitimately.
My close friend took my first portrait and I spent a pretty penny on branding and making sure I was represented well on social platforms. NSJ began slowly — this was not the constraints of entrepreneurship but the constraints of being a full-time employee and parent.
Leaping Into Purpose
Within a year of starting NSJ, I took the greatest leap of faith in my entrepreneurship journey. I jumped corporate ship and dove headfirst into entrepreneurship. My niche was not new but I made my service unique. My digital presence was a reflection of my passion. I had control of my time and also saw the rewards of my labor.
NSJ was growing, evolving and revolutionizing outsourced accounting services and I grew with it, continuing my academic journey to provide new and refreshed services to my clients. I believed I did well and so did my clients. This was evident in my 5-star review over various platforms and the greatly amounting referral clients.
The Real Lesson
In business, failure is inevitable. This is not me saying expect failure but I am saying be prepared to pivot to increase your chances of success. Success is equally inevitable — where there is a will, there is a way. Find your will and you will find your way.
