What. A. Journey. This journey of entrepreneurship has taken me to places I never thought I would see. Every day, I learn more about myself – I encounter a new strength, a weakness. Every day I meet someone inspiring, I struggle, I thrive, I get nervous, I get excited about the potential of the future and every day, I grow. Entrepreneurship is a rollercoaster. I love it. I’m taking big risks each day to build a business with a mission I believe in. I think this past week was the first time it struck me that this is my life now, especially after being featured in a Startup Grind Fireside Chat event interviewed by Patrice Perkins about my journey and the development of co-mads.
Startup Grind is a global startup community, an initiative by Google, designed to educate, inspire, and connect entrepreneurs. I was shocked when Patrice asked me to be the focus of one of her events. Quite frankly, I was like…why me? My business is still in development, we haven’t taken any trips yet, we haven’t made a penny…why would anyone want to listen to what I have to say about business or being an entrepreneur? I felt this way all the way up to the moment when I sat in that chair to be interviewed in front of the audience and video camera (the interview will be posted on Startup Grind’s global YouTube channel). It wasn’t until after our hour-long discussion, when I was able to connect with members of the audience that I realized the impact my story has on people, and the draw they feel to the people/community-first mission of co-mads. They talked about how my passion made an impact on them and that they could feel my energy as they listened. Every person I spoke to that night said they wanted to take one of our trips and resonated with the “travel & do good” lifestyle. I couldn’t believe it. I still can’t believe it. I never thought that I would have the opportunity to be part of an event like this, especially in this stage of my business, but Patrice allowed me this platform because of my story and my devotion to genuinely wanting to make the world a better place through travel and community impact. I feel incredibly honored and grateful to all of those who have taken a leap of faith because they believed in me.
Moral of the story…focus on your story. People fall in love with your story when you’re authentic and when they can clearly see and feel the passion you have for what you’re doing. People believe in you when you believe in your own vision. Focus on finding what makes you feel alive; follow that while developing your vision; and share your vision with anyone who will listen. Opportunity will follow.
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