Great question and a hard one to answer. Here are a few recommendations that I have:
-Set two sets of goals: the big, fucking insane, super scary ones and the realistic ones. The realistic ones should be stepping stones to the big goals. If you aren’t scared AF about your goals, then you aren’t setting them high enough and are limiting your potential.
-Manifest the shit out of your goals. This sounds cheesy, but I’m serious. You’ll never succeed unless you believe in yourself and your ability to accomplish amazing things.
-Surround yourself with like-minded people. This is critical. If your core group of friends don’t believe in your ability to achieve your goals, then you’re setting yourself up for failure. How important to you are your goals? Real friends will give you reality checks when necessary but will believe in and support you in achieving your goals when you’re clear that they’re important to you. This goes for family, too. I highly encourage you to latch onto other strong, ambitious women. There’s no way I’d be anywhere near as successful as I am today if it weren’t for my fellow badass lady bosses who were always pushing me to be better and do more. Some of these women applied for the same jobs that I did, and when that happened, we practiced interview questions together and listed each other as professional (or personal, depending on the situation) references. View female competition as opportunities for networking, friendship, and success rather than adversaries. Too few days women follow this concept, but the ones who do are the happiest and most successful. When you “win” by making other women look bad, you’re only failing.
-Work your fucking ass off. Stay focused. Always remember that what looks like the best or most fun option right now is often not the best option for long-term success. There will be personal sacrifices you have to make… many of them. It’s hell sometimes, but it’s worth it if you stick to your guns and follow through.
-Most importantly, never ever ever ever under-value yourself or let others convince you that you’re worth less. You know what your time, energy, knowledge, and experience are worth. You know what you bring to the table. Women are notorious for getting paid less because they accept less. Don’t be one of those women. Shatter glass ceilings and set examples for others. If you have to turn down an opportunity or job because they’re trying to underpay you, then it’s their loss, not yours. Others will arise, usually when you least expect it or in the most unlikely places, if you continue to do the above. Take the big risks. You will fail ten times more than you succeed, but your failures will make you much more capable and prepared than if you never fail. View those failures as opportunities to learn rather than setbacks. If you never fail, you’re not risking enough. Never settle.
Go kick ass and hit me up when you reach your goal so we can have a ridiculously overpriced drink together somewhere.
AbiHHoly cow! That’s so awesome! I love to see women owned businesses supporting each other in that way. What’s the biggest piece of advice that you have for a new business owner?
I’m still trying to figure that part out. I really would like to own storage units, however the upfront cost is more than I can swing at the moment. But what I’m more looking into now is becoming a vendor for the forest service, so sink trailers or water tenders for wildland fire deployment.
I’m a bit behind the eight ball but my goal is to break seven figures by 25.
