Summer As An Entrepreneur
The demands, the flexibility, the confusion it can cause when you don't have clarity
From the moment my first daughter was born and I went back to work, I longed for care-free summers with my kids.
Days that extended far beyond dinnertime, left us with pink noses, sand in our hair, and ice cream around every corner.
Days where I didn’t have to shuffle them off to daycare or camp which make summer just as monotonous as the seasons prior.
One day—in 2020 (you may remember that year)—I suddenly had this scenario, but in a slightly different version. It snuck up on me and without even knowing it, I was jobless, my kids were not enrolled in a single camp, and our schedules were our own.
It snuck up on me so quickly that at first I didn’t even realize it had arrived. I was still forcing agendas, trying to book a babysitter, and hustling to bring in extra income even though I was on unemployment. The stress of this sudden turn of events blinded me to the point that I couldn’t see what was right in front of me: my dream I had been longing for years before.
A year later, we moved to the beach and I made sure that the next summer counted. Lazy mornings, boardwalk adventures, too much money spent at the arcade, and long swims that drifted into the sunset.
I finally caught the summer I had always wanted…now only if I could hold onto it.
Today, I am so appreciative of those days and the memories that will remain imprinted in my heart. However, priorities have shifted.
My daughters are older and I have a business to run.
As an entrepreneur there is this weird paradox where you have all the freedom and flexibility in the world, yet if you don’t show up to work you don’t have a business.
After last summer, when I wasn’t quite organized, I know I need more structure. Dare I say balance?
And then it hit me…although it may not be the same, I still want the days that extend far beyond dinnertime, leave us with pink noses, sand in our hair, and ice cream around every corner.
AND I want a powerful business. Can I do both?
So I set out to make a plan and asked myself 3 key questions:
What is my actual business goal for this season? not what I think I have to do
answer: reach new people, collaborate, grow, and serve my existing clients really, really well.
what was revealed: I don’t need to spend time selling in this season!
Based on my current work load, how many hours do I want to work?
answer: 3 days per week, with 2 full week vacations
what was revealed: I need strict boundaries with my family, childcare for those days, and realistic expectations around client work.
Do I have the capacity for more clients and what type?
answer: yes, but minimal. One more private client and 3 tune-up clients
what was revealed: don’t waste time marketing your 1:1 personal branding right now
Within those 3 questions my entire perspective of business this summer shifted. While I was once overwhelmed by less hours and all the work, it now feels doable.
Not every season has the same goal and your marketing efforts should follow suit.
Not every season has the same dream and your actions should follow suit.
My summer will still be dreamy, but I will also be accomplished. At least that’s the plan with plenty of room for error…
I love your thought process, Kaitlyn! I love seasonal plans because, as you know, I love being out and about with my doggo and in the garden and the daylight hours vary wildly in Seattle, which makes me work differently in the dark gray seasons than in the summer!
I hope you and the girls have a lovely summer ☀️😍