Being an entrepreneur is no holiday

I have enjoyed the fruits of a successful small business marketing consultancy and let me tell you, there have been many over the years - trips to the South of France, meeting world leaders, getting the best seats in ‘posh’ restaurants and having enough money to buy designer suits for every occasion. It has been very rewarding and fulfilling.

In the early days, it was all about working long hours seven days a week and coming up with the most innovative ideas to put my clients on the map. I was passionate, hardworking and completely committed to excellence. I wanted to take on the world with my ideas and enthusiasm for marketing and running a small business. I dreamt of the day I would look back on everything I have done and be proud of the journey I have taken. Now that day has not come, because quite frankly I am not old enough, rich enough or successful enough to be doing this – but one day, I can see myself sitting on a the balcony of my country estate (which I don’t have!) and remembering.

Nothing has changed much, other than I now don’t stress so much and I take every day as it comes. I don’t worry about yesterday – what I could have, should have done.

In the last few months I have remembered the things that I may have deliberately put to the back of my brain about running a business and being that ‘marketing entrepreneur’ that I am. The long hours where I feel so tired that I start dribbling at my computer, the fast food alternative that is easier and quicker than cooking up a healthy balanced meal, no exercise because this time could be spent working, the consistent flow of lollies to keep the sugar rush fueling energy to keep on working, the lack of desire to look great unless there is a meeting to go to, the indifference to the little things going on in the office, the missing of important occasions for friends due to work commitments and the continual lack of energy that I somehow ignore and keep going with what I am doing.

Having passion is hard work. I can’t fit enough hours in the day to do the things I would like to do. I want it all and sit and wonder why when I catch up with friends, I have nothing to talk about. I haven’t read the paper, I don’t know what is happening in other people’s lives (a good thing!!) and I certainly haven’t had any experiences to talk of.

I sit in my own little tunnel working away hoping the dream of doing something revolutionary to my business happens. I know I have, and one day, I know  if I work really really hard, so will everyone else.

Being an entrepreneur is no holiday, but its the most rewarding career in the world. Every single day someone walks up to me or rings me to tell me how much they respect my career success and are inspired by what I do. For the record, I know many woman that are far more successful than I am and who I admire immensely for their achievements. Admitting to being successful is something I have struggled with over the years. I don’t believe in entering awards to have people that don’t know me tell me whether or not I am successful. The most successful people I know have never won an award nor have they ever entered one. I also have seen so many people who win awards go broke within a couple of years of obtaining recognition about how great they are. It, for me, is the kiss of death.

How I have come to accept that success comes in many ways and its all about how you feel as an individual. It’s not about owning the biggest boat, or having a trophy wife, or having the most money in the bank. It’s about realising that you have achieved something remarkable – to you.

Mine comes in the form of independence and a sense of achievement. I feel this every single time I walk into my office in any of the States where there are Marketing Eye offices and when people who are strangers walk up to me and say that I inspire them or that they admire me.

Everyone needs a pat on the back sometimes.

Marketing Eye

Marketing Eye is Australia’s leading sme marketing consultancy firm that helps small businesses grow. We work ‘in’ your business and deliver marketing campaigns and brand awareness to help your sales teams succeed. Find out how you can grow your small business today! www.marketingeye.com.au

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