BONUS: 9 confessions and lessons learned by a first-time business owner

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You want to do meaningful work that gives you a sense of purpose in your life instead of doing a J-O-B for someone else? You want to spend more time with your children at home instead of commuting or getting home from work in time for bedtime? You want to be your own boss and decide what to do and when to do it instead of working on someone else’s clock?

There are many reasons for mothers to start a home-based business and this trend is growing. If the number of google searches that come up with advice and ideas for new mompreneurs is any indication, starting a home-based business has become big business.

Now, you’re thinking about it, you’re weighing in the pros and cons and you’re deciding if starting a home-based business is for you. Do you want to know what to expect?

Certainly, starting a business is a challenge and a great learning experience. Let me share with you some of what I’ve learned in the early days of starting my own business in this bonus chapter of my book, You’ve Got This, Mom! A Mother’s Guide to Surviving and Thriving in Today’s Modern World.

Confession Time - pull up a chair!

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Confession #1 - I never saw myself as an entrepreneur.

To tell you the truth, I’m a great shopper. When I need something, I love to look for the deals, look at the latest trends, and decide how I’m going to spend my money wisely. I love to support local and home-based businesses to help entrepreneurs in their efforts; I love to buy books of local and upcoming authors, too. But something about being on the other side of that transaction has never really been my thing.

Likewise, when I started my sabbatical year, starting my own business was the last thing on my mind: I was going to travel, teach my son, spend time in leisure pursuits. (I’m thinking my life partner was laughing at this and bracing himself for what was to come! Hah! You think you know me, Q!) But, there I went and asked the universe what I should do. And, things started happening.

First of all, when I started my business, it was a little bit of an accident. I’d been using doTERRA pure certified therapeutic grade essential oils to treat bobos and ailments and I started learning more about them in my free time. After travelling all Fall through Europe, my son decided he’d stay home for awhile. We continued home schooling, but no longer having to make travel arrangements, I found myself with a little extra time. I started attending some essential oil classes and paying more attention at the building your business classes. Coincidentally, this led to further opportunities: free training through my friends made itself available. My girlfriend, Rosie, and her daughter-in-law Danika, who started using doTERRA essential oils through me were starting their own essential oil businesses. They were making me money before I even knew what was happening, and I was thinking, if I’m making money not doing anything, what would happen if I did do something? That’s how my journey as a doTERRA essential oil wellness advocate began.

Lesson #1 - Never say never! ...and, be careful what you ask the universe because you might get it!

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For more information about stepping out of your comfort zone, visit my blog about embrace the fear and other life lessons

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