Entrepreneurs start businesses for dozens of reasons. Lots of women have told me that they get started for flexibility, extra money, to pursue a passion and to have fun. Some of you have told me that you want to change the world. All those reasons are why I got started too.
I was sitting in church one Sunday and we had a guest pastor. All the way from Australia. His name was Dr. Peter. He talked about once being so illiterate that he could not even complete a job application to do construction work, though he had the physical brawn. He went on to discuss how he finally had to face his shortcomings and do something about them, which led him to start his own business.
Years later, he now has several successful multi-million dollar businesses with offices and employees on three continents. He spoke in absolute and confident terms and struck the congregation with his audacity and wit.
I was impacted by all that he said but a statement he made and a question he asked have stuck with me to this day. His statement was not the reason I resolved to develop into one of the world’s greatest entrepreneurs, but it was certainly an inspirational factor. He said, “Too many of you run around everyday talking about and thinking about how you can change the world but you can barely take care of your own finances. If you want to help someone and change the world create a business and give them a job.”
I thought for a moment (and then later, and nearly every day ever since) about his comment. Eureka! He was right!
Most people spend most of their time at work. Work is home away from home for many people. The lives of people who work, even part-time, are significantly shaped by their experiences on the job. That means that by starting a business and growing it to the point that you offer employment to others—whether part-time or full-time and whether they are employees or contractors—you are helping people; you are helping the world.
You could transform your community, city, state, nation or world by starting a business that provides people jobs, and therefore gives them a purpose everyday.
To build a business that takes care of you and your family and consistently employs others, you’ve got to create a systematic enterprise. One that has its own brand, practices, processes and structure. Business at this level means you are effectively using technology and have a good team of people working with you everyday. It probably also means you’re on the path to $1 million, or more, in annual revenues.
Now that may sound overwhelming and scary, but it’s not. Thousands of other women have done it. Plus, you can’t believe you have achieved what you have already achieved in life, right? How did you do that? One day at a time, with faith, perserverance, hard work and a bit of help from others, right? Well, that’s how you and your business can grow to $1 million, or more, in revenue and help change the world. And there is already a well-experienced organization (Count Me In) and group of other women who are striving to have fun, enjoy flexibility, make money, and make a big impact just like you.
You should enter the Make Mine a Million $ Business Competition. It’s always easier to run faster when someone is running alongside you (the other women in the competition) and coaching you along the way (the professional staff and coaches provided by the organization). You’ll enjoy the competition, you’ll enjoy your success and you may even win! But in my view, the competition is not just about that. It’s also about changing the world.
EXTRA
Check out five reasons you should be in this competition straight from the founder Nell Merlino’s blog.
Onward and Upward,
Felicia Joy
