Taking the Leap: My First Month as a Business Owner

For the past 30 years, I’ve been working in all sorts of jobs, from a paper route to bar work, telesales, recruitment, and even as a holiday rep. I eventually settled into what I thought would be my “real” career. Recently, however, I felt it was time for a change, perhaps an age thing, and wanted to try something new. I decided to dive into the world of self-employment. With lots of support from my amazing family and friends, I took the plunge and started my own business, Andiamo Business Assistance.

July 31st, 2024, marks the end of my first month as a business owner, and I want to share how things have been going.

One major thing I've learned is that I don’t care what people think of me. I love having the freedom to make my own decisions and take charge of my future. In Western culture, we emphasize job titles, often letting them define us. It’s easy for people to understand what a teacher or vet does. But when I say I’m a Virtual PA/Virtual Business Manager, I often get puzzled looks. When I mention I left a leadership role to do this, their surprise is evident. But I’ve decided I don’t care. Life's too short, and I’m prioritising happiness over a fancy job title. I have been working on my elevator pitch and USP to explain quickly what I do so we can move on to more exciting topics!

I’m realizing I have a broad skill set and that people genuinely appreciate my knowledge and experience. In a company surrounded by colleagues, imposter syndrome can make you question if your achievements are just luck. But as I engage in more conversations, fuelled by my curiosity and love for people, I’m seeing how much I have to offer. The harder I work, the luckier I get, boosting my confidence!

My first month has gone pretty well. I'm not making a ton of money yet, but I love every moment of this journey. My passion for work is back, and I can’t stop smiling. The freedom of being my boss is exhilarating. I feel like I can finally take a deep breath and enjoy life!F