The real story of expansion - A personal account
It's been a windy road to get to where I am today. Sitting in front of my computer, going through literally hundreds of emails and sending off replies like I am in some kind of maniac rush.
Expansion isn't easy. Don't get me wrong - everyone has been supportive, but I have had to pull inner strength from places I never knew existed. You see, when you start a business at 25, there is no such thing as fear. You have nothing to lose. I had nothing to lose to be more precise. Blessed with a wonderful partner at home at the time, I was fully supported and encouraged to go out there and give it my best. And that I did.
Expansion isn't easy. Don't get me wrong - everyone has been supportive, but I have had to pull inner strength from places I never knew existed. You see, when you start a business at 25, there is no such thing as fear. You have nothing to lose. I had nothing to lose to be more precise. Blessed with a wonderful partner at home at the time, I was fully supported and encouraged to go out there and give it my best. And that I did.
Success came easily and there were no major confidence blows.
I felt like the world was at my feet. And it was.
Today, it's a different story. I have a lot to lose and miss out on. The latter is important to consider. My family and friends are in Australia. To make a big move, I have to leave them and it will be only every few months that I get to touch base with a select few.
There is also alot to lose. Market share, money, confidence and positioning.
Will my Australian operations survive without me there face to face daily? I have put all the procedures in place and we are still learning as we go, but it seems to be still going strong.
Money, well that's a given. It is obscenely expensive to expand your business. There are bills that you never knew existed for everything from setting up your business, immigration, insurance, a home, accounting, office space, telephones - the list is endless. It costs a bomb!
Confidence is something that is more personnel. When you are flying high and have been for quite some year, you get quite comfortable in your 'lot' in life. I was comfortable. But here I am, putting myself out there like I did when I was 25 and it's scary, intimidating and a cause for much anxiety. I have been terrified that with my Australian accent, no-one will understand me. That they won't trust my company because we are a 'startup' here. That the people I employ won't turn out. It goes on and on. I am truly pathetic! I can't remember the last time I had to walk into a room of strangers and present myself and my business.
Positioning is surprisingly personal too. When you achieve a certain amount of traction with your business, people see you in a particular light. What if it fails and all of a sudden they see me as a failure? As an entrepreneur, I am expected to embrace failure, but who am I kidding? Although I deeply want to be that person, I still don't want to fail. I have learned enough hard lessons - so please, don't throw any more at me!
I feel like I am up and down like a yoyo. One minute I am full of beans and excited about life, the next I have my head in the sand asking myself "what am I doing?"
I want this. I really do. I can't tell you how much I want this. More than anything, I have to do this. It's on my bucketlist. It's also my dream.
Amazingly, I love so many things about America, that excitement mounts every time I go outside and breathe in the fresh air. It cheaper - number one (Atlanta that is!). People are new and exciting with interesting stories to tell. They all seem quite happy to share experiences and it inspires me. It also gives me ideas.
How have you accepted major change in your life? I am interested in you sharing your stories whether its about business or life. Sometimes, sharing is the only way to make peace with change.
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comments ( 4 )
priscilla
20 Jul 2012I think I've heard a quote that said 'comfort and growth do not co-exist', having something to lose is sure to put anybody out of their comfort zone, but I guess it works both ways. The more you have to lose, the more you stand to gain.
ReplyLeo
17 Jul 2012It seems obvious change is frightening specifically if you turn from a success business story with a great network into a new environment in which you start from zero.
ReplyI do not have experience in running my own company but it is quite similar to life. I am used to study, working and traveling abroad. It means I left a couple of times home to explore a new culture and meeting new friends. It is not easy to show native that we are trustworthy people when you have an accent or a different-looking.
The point is time. Time to get more confidence in the new environment, time to understand how to go through, time to show people you are as great as them.
At last, we might make the difference. We are new so native people are curious and interested in us. If we are ambitious enough and doing things with caution meanwhile, we have certainly a competitive advantage which leads us to success!
David
17 Jul 2012It's definitely hard work expanding a business and certainly your hard work will pay off. It's better to experience a little hurt now, than to waste a golden opportunity.
ReplyYvonne
16 Jul 2012Although I haven't had changes as major as yours, I've been pushed out of my comfort zone so many times I've almost forgotten what it feels like to feel comfortable. From trying to figure out how to impress prospective employers, making new friends, to playing music on stage with Australia's greats with only 5 minutes warning and no clue what I'm doing, I've realised that first impressions really do count, but there aren't set instructions for certain situations. I think the way I'd say to deal with change (not that I can always apply my own advice here) is to be true to yourself, and know what you're getting into. Expansion into America is an amazing opportunity, but nothing comes easy. Persevere through everything!
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