7.23.21 I made the decision to have my freedom day – retired; full-time milwaukee small business owner; forever unemployable by corporate America. I lovingly called it my retirement. I am now a full time small business owner! Don’t get me wrong, I did not leave my job on a bad note. I left with multiple offers for recommendations if needed in the future. There are definitely individuals I will miss dearly and functions of my job that I will miss as well. But… best of all, now is my chance to be a full time mom and work my business when it suits my time; not make time for my family based on my work schedule. What a joyous, scary, exciting, ambitious – really ALL the feelings moment!
Family Support to Be Home and Be Retired!
My husband Rick has been a tremendous support and my rock behind “retirement.” For months prior to my retirement he continued to tell me it would be ok. Quit my job. Be home with the kids. That all became a reality and I took his advice and took the leap on July 23rd. This was the last day of summer cool at the kid’s school. The decision was, pay nearly 1/2 my wages in daycare for the rest of the summer or be home with the kids and enjoy the rest of the summer with THEM. The choice was somewhat obvious, yet difficult. I have worked a steady job since I got a work permit almost immediately after turning 16. Never collecting unemployment, never without consistent income. It’s uncomfortable to wonder if the income will be consistent as a small business owner – not collecting a salary. I’m here for the uncomfortable moments and so thankful to have family by my side always supporting me!
business Support From My Amazing Network
I have the best network ever! The support, love, drive I get from others around me is nothing short of fantastic. I might not have the best words to describe those around me – but the feeling is just that – indescribable.
Tracy Champagne of Small Business Milwaukee took a huge chance on me. We work so well together. I am the Director of Membership services and the position is a perfect fit for me. I’ve been given such amazing opportunities but one of the most memorable was presenting on behalf of Small Business Milwaukee to the deserving grant recipients at the Back2Business event at the Fiserv Forum TWO TIMES in March! Tracy and I continue to grow our working relationship and our minds together for ideas are almost dangerous! Look out because we are having a blast and always creating new things!
Bill Sargent of Milwaukee Headshots has had my back from GO. He has done so much for me over the past year constantly encouraging me to do great things. You see that photo up there ????? That is compliments of Bill upon my “retirement.” I just adore him! And when there is an event, Bill is right there by my side ready to be my personal media photographer! Always available and willing! He has a saying that he is allergic to jobs and bosses. We joke that I’m now allergic too. Well, I was always allergic, I just finally found the cure to the allergy! Being in business for myself was the magic cure!
There is so much to say about those that have encouraged me to take this leap. I am not intentionally leaving anyone out but this would be one LONGGGG read if I kept going ?.
#CollaborationNOTCompetition
“If you’re not networking, you’re not working.” ~ Denis Waitley
I continue to consistently network. My mantra as I build my network is #CollaborationNOTCompetition. I believe in that to the fullest. I network with individuals with many backgrounds, businesses, etc. If I network with someone doing similar or the same business as me, in my mind I like to find out how we can work together, not compete against each other. My network is everything to me!
Are you networking? Let me know if you’d like more info on free networking groups I attend. I know it can be uncomfortable joining some groups for the first time by yourself so I’m happy to help encourage you and make you feel welcome by a new group. If you have an amazing group you network with – let me know so I might join you!
The Lunchroom – small business owners
We have a group that meets daily over Zoom called “The Lunchroom.” It’s not really business per say but the group formed from small business owners. During Covid stay at home orders we formed as a group go “get out to lunch” with others while being at home. We meet daily over “lunch” and everyone kind of comes and goes as they can. The relationships I have built with my new Zoom friends has been amazing! Who woulda thought you could find such great friends from a simple daily Zoom call?
Some of the consistent attendees who I proudly call friends – who have also been an amazing encouragement to my retirement include Debbie Kuras of SASI, Debbie & Jeff D’Agostino from Brent’s Carpet & Furniture Cleaning, Joanna Calrberg of Joanna’s Digital Images, Laura Van Schyndel Google Ads Specialist (I call her Laura Van Google and we lovingly call her “Google Girl”), Jenny McAdow with New York Life and a few other attendees who pop in and out when they can. I really cannot say enough about these new people in my life. Simply amazing and inspiring!
retired…Where do I go from here?
My word of the year is “Forward.” I will continue to move forward, try new things and be consistent with my work with my clients. I will continue my work with Small Business Milwaukee; I’ll continue to network and build relationships; I’ll continue to give tips for social media, digital consultations and create content to share. There is not a specific “plan.” Social media continues to change and I will change and try new things as they come up!
Is there something you would like to see from me going forward? I’m loving this journey and will continue to grow with you! I appreciate your comments, well wishes, advice, and more!