4 years ago I was working in the nonprofit sector and trying to juggle the job of Director of Development while raising a three-year-old boy. While I was grateful for the flexibility that this job afforded (I was mostly able to telecommute) and I completely supported the organization’s mission, I still didn’t feel that I had complete control of my schedule. I wanted more time with my son, the ability to work 100% remotely and complete autonomy in the work that I chose to pursue. I decided to do some freelancing grants work, and this was a great first step to slowly ease into the transition of business ownership. My husband prepared the paperwork and I officially became an LLC and launched my business on August 29, 2013. Little did I know that I was pregnant with my daughter the same time as this launch….

While I experienced many bumps in the road on the path to succeeding as an entrepreneur, I have walked away with some useful tips that can hopefully help other business owners.

1. Never underestimate your value to clients. Do not undersell your services or take on pro bono work at the expense of your bottom line.
2. Set personal boundaries. If you are an entrepreneur and you seek more personal time, set that personal time in your calendar so you are not inundated with client emails or requests to meet. You can set the flexible schedule, if this is important to you. I always do this when I want to attend an event at my child’s school or have a personal matter that requires attention.
3. Outsource. I know that it is easy to take ownership of everything, but at some point you may need support for your accounting, appointment scheduling, social media and/or project work. Do you have contacts that can support you when you take a vacation or when your workload increases? My virtual assistant, bookkeeper, and other colleagues have helped me tremendously, and this has helped grow my business.
4. Pipeline Cultivation. Always think about future work, even if you have a full plate. Clients change, as does workflow, so always seek opportunities via networking events, trainings and informal meetings to encourage future work.

I love the work that I do, I appreciate my clients for choosing me to help them through their fundraising journeys, and I love the balance it affords with my family. I am very grateful for the last 4 years. What fuels your desire as an entrepreneur?