When I share with others that I am the Director of the YWCA's Center for Women's Entrepreneurship, their eyes begin to sparkle and I can already guess what they are thinking: Is now a good time to pursue my passion and start my own business?
Sometimes, they ask me outright, other times I simply lead our conversation down that road. I am a believer that true job security lies in working for yourself. No dig on anyone who loves their job, as I love mine. But when someone else controls your paycheck, if they decide that it must stop to positively affect their bottomline, you will be up the creek without a paddle, right?
What's good for the goose is certainly good for the gander as it's no secret that I actively pursue my passion in addition to managing the best women's entreprenuerial program in the state of DE!
My point, the time to pursue your passion never goes in or out of style. If you have something that you love to do and you think that it could make a viable second income for your family - pursue it! Pursue it positively, powerfully and passionately! Do your research and find out if others will enjoy what you love so much. Find and need and fill it and your idea can turn into an a few extra dollars each week, month, year.
What I love about our society is that everyday a new entrepreneur is born. Everyday someone gets the point: work at what you love and you'll never work a day in your life. Our society was built by entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs are willing to take the risks necessary because they have unwaivering belief and the non-negotiable goal in their hearts is sound and steadfast - they will make it happen. Sometimes, we entrepreneurs fail forward to success but we keep on ticking, no matter what!
The empowerment speaker in me loves to share those popular stories of entrepreneurs who failed several times before they became a household name....RH Macy with several failed retailed chains before the 125 year legacy we know and love as Macy's. Colonel Sanders and KFC with his 1008 "No, we don't want you or your chicken recipe!" before the Yes came and changed his life....
In order to live your dream and pursue your passion, you've got to believe and do the ridiculous. As the famed poem says "It's when you're hardest hit that you must not quit!" Never give up on your dreams, never give up on you....
I know that you are motivated and empowered to pursue your passion now, so I invite you to come visit us. At the Center for Women's Entrepreneurship, we offer a Business Basics and Assessments course which asks you the tough questions to assess if you are really rady to travel the road of entrepreneurship. My guess is that you are if you love your passion enough to put in the work to make it a staple in the marketplace. But just to be sure, contact us and attend the FREE workshop.
Darnyelle Jervey is the Director of the YWCA Delaware Center for Women's Entrepreneurship.
The YWCA Center for Women's Entrepreneurship is funding in part by the US Small Business Administration and is located strategically in the Department for Economic Advancement at the YWCA. For more information, please visit http://www.ywcade.org/ or call 302.224.4060.
Thanks for the excellent words of motivation and encouragement for those interested in pursuing their passion. However, what do you say to folks who are thinking that now may not seem like a smart time to start a business given the recession/down economy?
ReplyDeleteDuring a recession, it is always a great time to evaluate and reevaluate your plan to pursuing your passion. Although it may prove to be more challenging, great business models were developed and continue to thrive after being started during an economic downturn. Your idea and business concept must be sound and you need a coach to hold you accoutable to pursuing it with everything you've got so that you can thrive.
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