I didn’t choose entrepreneurship; It chose me. Let me explain.
My late grandmother would tell me stories of how I’ve always been independent since a toddler. She shared with me how I would pop her hand and tell her “No, I do it myself” when she would try to help me with any task. We would often laugh about it. Ever since I could remember, I always wanted to figure things out for myself. I never wanted to be told what and how to do it– my first sign of entrepreneurship.
Fast forward to school days. I loved English and Math but absolutely hated science. I tried to study chemistry, biology, and the other sciences but it just didn’t click naturally for me. 💤 So I made a decision to become very good at the subjects I loved. True entrepreneurs focus on their strengths and not their weaknesses.
My first real job was at Burger King making $6.25 an hour. I quickly realized that I had to work for myself to have an uncapped income. You can only work so many hours, capping your income. However, I knew that if I could sell a product or service, I would never be limited by time. My first entrepreneurial endeavors were boosting clothes and selling drugs throughout middle and high school. 🤦🏽♀️ I’m not proud but it’s real life. Looking back, I now see that my hustle and determination were a sign of my entrepreneurial spirit.
Over the span of my career in corporate America, I’ve been passionate about several jobs. I would start off so bright-eyed 🤩 and bushy-tailed, so excited to use my creativity to tackle new challenges. Then about two years later, I would be burnt out and DEEPLY unsettled. 😩 After all, we can only be a counterfeit for so long. 🙅🏽♀️We can do something we’re not made to do for only so long. Another sign that entrepreneurship was for me.
I’ve always gone against the grain and was an innovator. Actually, we’re all innovators. God designed us this way– in His image to be a creator like Him. It’s in our DNA 🧬 – in the fiber of our very being. I encourage you to spend some time in prayer and discover your purpose. As women, we often tend to overthink. Usually, our purpose is lying right in front of us. Discover it. Embrace it. Live in it!