I was after the money. I was chasing the green dream when I started my cleaning business back in the 90's. I was tired of being broke, tired of having a boss, and figured this was the way to make some serious cash. It looked perfect.
So I took the leap. I left my "real job" at AT & T. The money there was right but I wanted the money and the freedom. Well, here's how I ended up with neither...
As I got going with my cleaning business, I discovered I was great at it...at certain parts of it anyway. I was good at connecting with people, good at getting the sales. I thought I'd be all right. But pretty quickly, I found out I was horrible with finance and operations. And my personal life was a hot mess. I put all my time and energy into the business without a clear endgame. I'd leave home on a Monday and not come back till Friday. I'd leave NY for NJ to set up a guy to clean 2 stores. Then drive an hour back to NY to set up another guy with 2 more stores.
It didn't take long before I hit my breaking point. Mental and emotional exhaustion. Night after night I'd just pour myself into the job through sheer will...and then I got hit with an opportunity to clean 120 Starbucks stores in Philadelphia and Baltimore.
And I took it...because I was broke. But all it did was stress me out more because I couldn't manage what I already had--let alone triple it. I was alone, without guidance and without mentorship. Just me and my hustle, taking on way too many tasks to manage.
I'm Kendall Ficklin, former burned out serial entrepreneur and current business coach. And I don't want you to make the same rookie mistakes that I made running my business. The dream of being your own boss while making fat stacks is not unattainable. Just don't underestimate what a great challenge it is. And, definitely, don't try to do it alone!
I look back on that time and shake my bald head. What a critical difference the right mentor would've made had they stepped into my life AT THAT MOMENT. But I didn't know any better then.
But you know what? Now you do.
It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking you can do everything by yourself. When all you see is green, it's hard to see the important details you may be overlooking, the problems you may be underestimating. I'm not telling you to stop seeing green. By all means, keep those green lenses on.
But, before you take the leap, grab the hand of a mentor who's done it before. I know I certainly could've used one.
When you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help you grow and manage your success:
Take a free W2J Assessment. It's an eye-opening assessment that leverages the attributes of 4 animal behaviors to give individuals and business leaders personal tools to ramp up productivity, improve team culture, improve communication and substantially increase earning potential.
Join our free Coffee Q&A every Saturday morning at 8am EST. It's where our business community connects on all things personal and professional growth. (Ask the group your most terrifying business question.)
Schedule a Connection Call. Positive change happens through self-discovery, which starts with a conversation with someone who's been there.
Kendall Ficklin
(Coach K)