They make it look so easy. From the designer clothes and travel pics, to the expensive cars and FREE Merchandise. In 2019 we have seen everyone and their Momma (literally) start their own business. This new generation has been nicknamed the “Dawn of Entrepreneurship” because every time you turn around someone has gotten their hands wet wanting that “CEO Life”

But is everything you see with your eyes on the web actual reality?
Social Media can be so misleading. 85% of top influencers are miserable, have mental health issues, or eating disorders. You would never know this from looking at their Instagram feed.
Is this life real? Yes, for some. Is it impossible? No … but is it easy? MOST DEFINITELY NOT. That’s the part no one ever wants to show or talk about.

The top influencers today have been doing what they are doing for close to over a decade. Top entrepreneurs within the 25-35 year old mark, have been consistently in their field for 5-10 years already. I’ve been trying to start my own beauty business for already close to 5 years. Yes, you read that right…. 5 years! I don’t have a well off mommy or daddy. Or even was lucky enough to marry into some money, so naturally, it was bound to be a rough ride. I understood that. I welcomed it. Chose to overcome it. However, never did I imagine it would take me 5 years to even figure out how to even simply get my ideas off the ground.

The sad truth is: It takes money … to make money. Sure lots of Direct Sales reps will try to convince you it doesn’t. 80% of online “mentors” will say the same. That’s the clickbait.

It may not be $25,000 upfront (unless you are looking to start a brick & mortar storefront) but it will honestly not be less than $500. The filing fees alone can run you up to $500 alone, and this is without any inventory. Filling fees can vary from state to state but you will at least have to:

• File with your state as an LLC, Corporation, or Sole Proprietorship. ($50 – $100) You can look up the differences online
• File with your county if you plan on providing services to clients such as: barbering, cosmetology, even mechanics. ($25 – $50)
• File with the Department of Revenue to sell any retail. And obtain a “Reseller’s Permit” ($40)
• You might also need schooling to obtain a required license within your field. Such as myself (I have an Esthetics License so I can legally provide skin services to clients.) ($1,100 – $20,000)
• Lastly, you will need to ensure you have insurance. Not many professionals talk about this one but it’s so, so very important. This day in age everyone is looking for a payday. One unsatisfied client/customer can result in a huge loss. Also, we’re humans and everyone makes mistakes. You must protect yourself, your assets, your hard work, and your family. ($100 – $300 depending on the level of coverage)

…. And this is all just to say you have a legal business.

We haven’t even thought about overhead items such as: inventory, production costs & shipping (if you’re selling goods), wages, marketing, events, supplies, and the list goes on and on.

No one ever talks about these things. They just want to sell you a dream and insist it will happen for you right away. In 2019, if you don’t have your own business it seems that you are missing the wave. EVERYONE has a brand, business, or social media presence in some way. Your momma, your auntie, your cousin who can’t even write, even the family dog can make a few coins taking well-edited photos and strategically placing them on the World Wide Web. There’s quite a bit of money to be made. One just needs to know how to find it.

Am I saying starting your own business is a waste of time? NO! Nor am I saying to quit while you’re ahead. I just want to be the voice of reason to many who have none and a helpful hand to realistically set my peers up for success. It will not be easy. It will start slow and at times you will feel defeated and lost. If I can share one important thing I’ve learned in this game, it would be: DON’T GIVE UP! It may not be this year or the next. It may not even be within this same decade but if you wake up in the morning with the feeling you should be doing something more. A dream/vision that no matter how hard you try to rid yourself from it, it never goes away. That my friend, is your calling and your destiny will never be fulfilled until you seek after it.

For instance, I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. Honestly since as long as I was taught to write. I love expressing myself through pen and paper and now in the digital age … keyboard and text. My original major in college was Journalism. My home is filled with books. Libraries make me happy and I am forever in a never-ending quest of courses to teach me all there is to know in this world about being a business owner. 

So as an outlet … I’ve started blogging. Am I making money from it? No. At least not yet. Is it paying my bills or letting me go on expensive trips? Most definitely not (I wish) Does that mean I should just find something else to do with my time because this is “not working out” the way I imagined? NO! Consistency is key. Respect will only come with those who have a reputation for it and being an expert in their field.

So what do you do in the meantime while you’re waiting for your dreams to come true? 

One word…

HUSTLE.

Will it be hard AF? Yes. But can it be done? You bet your banana! You have to have the mindset of getting it done. Period. Whatever it takes. You may have to get a full-time job in order to support your family. You may have to get 3 jobs. As I’ve said before… it takes money to make money. If you’re just working to pay bills and have nothing left over … how will you find the money to put into your business? That’s when you need to sit down with yourself and truly budget your dreams into reality. Even if it’s committing a full year of just hustling and saving a little nest egg each week to fully support your startup. Maybe $50 – $100 per week? Whatever your budget would allow. Think about it … $100 a week x 52 weeks in a year. By this time next year, you will have $5,200 to devote completely to your business. Doesn’t that sound great? Sure does. It’s also realistic.

As a GREAT philosopher and explorer once said,

“No Sacrifice …. No Victory” – Archibald Witwicky

May the force be with you ♥