I was told my business model would never work

Most people will doubt that you can make this work. They will see you as a freelancer and a stay-at-home parent who works “a little” and “plays all day.” They’re not really wrong, but they’re not really right either.

Trust your gut. And if it’s feeling a bit queasy, you’re probably on to something.

My Vision Vs. The Numbers

I met with a financial advisor for the first time just as I was making the decision to hire my first employee. I was considering moving the freelance gig out of my chair in the living room to a “real” space outside of the home. My youngest would be heading to kindergarten and it felt like a natural time to push it or relax into where I had been operating the past eight years.

As she reviews my financials – an embarrassing mess of spreadsheets – I anxiously hope that she sees the good work I’m doing and the visions of a boutique agency I have in my mind and the future I feel so confident in. I try to dazzle her with my wit and the shiny objects of the passion for my work to distract her from the numbers.

That doesn’t work. Turns out that’s what financial advisors do. Love numbers.

We talk through my business model of “doing good work begets more good work” and my 20% retainer clients versus 80% by project gamble. I ask if she thinks I can hire a full-time employee and move into a space for us to work from. I believe my optimism confuses her as she tries to gauge if I’m serious or not. Evidently, the numbers are telling her something different than what my head is. She collects herself, bit back a smile and calmly says, “No. You can’t do that.”

She suggests a second visit of which I can only assume she needs time to prepare “the numbers” to prove her case. What she doesn’t know is that –

 – when someone tells me “no” I kick it into high gear to prove them wrong.

Two weeks later.

We meet. She opens her perfect file folder that I’m clearly envious of. It’s so beautifully lined with little color-coded tabs, everything aligned, no doodles or scribbles…I digress.

Before she starts in I ask if I can go first. I know what I’m about to say is going to hurt. She allows it.

“You know how you told me my business model was too risky to add an employee and purchase a space?” I pause. She nods assuming I’ve come to my senses. She’s also the nicest person on the planet and I still see her as one of the absolute best financial advisors around.

“Well, I did it,” I continue. “I bought a building and I hired someone. I’m doing this.”

Once she gathers her thoughts, she just gracefully looks at me, her polar opposite, with a kind and mutual respect. In the end, we end up going our separate ways.

Trust Yourself. Take risks.

Know yourself. You are in control of your business and where you want to take it. Work hard and develop a plan that gets you where you want to be. Be ok with failing and be comfortable with people telling you it won’t work. Listen to those who warn you, but do not let them override that feeling in your gut that it will work. Be confident. Just smile and prove them wrong.