Written by: Stephanie Collinson, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
As I sit here and type this, I would consider myself still at the beginning of a journey. I began to explore the possibilities of earning a living without the restrictions of a 9-5 full-time job. Like you, I was skeptical, unsure if there was really another way to earn money apart from working for someone else. Working in NHS, especially if you are in the UK, is a job for life. You go in there with a passion for helping people but ultimately forget about yourself as you sacrifice your needs to meet everyone else’s at work and at home.
NHS is a great way to gain experience, develop your knowledge in your chosen specialty and work your way up the ladder as you choose. But what I found was that the job I signed up for was not living up to my expectations. I wanted to make a bigger impact without restrictions. I wanted to jump out of the box and do things my way. That is how I have navigated life so far, moving from challenge to challenge to try and find the right one for me. Maybe you are feeling that too, no matter what stage of your career you are at. So, it is time to make a change with impact.
Number 1: Courage
You do brave things every day in your day job, but the idea of being a business owner/sole trader scares you. It scared me too. I talked myself out of it a couple of times. Seeing my online business venture as a side hustle and having an extra bit of income each month only. But I knew if I kept pushing and learning, using my initiative and can-do approach like I would in my normal job, then things would happen for me as I created the opportunities. When you take action daily, it takes boldness and bravery to step outside the unknown box. There are tonnes of resources out there to get you started initially, so do not be afraid to take the leap of faith. If you are a slow and steady kind of person, dip your toes in, and you will be surprised and what you find you can do. Just having the idea off the bat is brave in itself.
Number 2: Self-Belief
Now when you start to tell your loved ones about this, they might meet you with a smile and say that sounds like a good idea BUT. Do not listen to what they say after the but, that is just them projecting their fears and insecurities onto you. If you believe in yourself enough, you can do absolutely anything. Your experience and knowledge do help depending on the type of business you want to set up. For example, it’s popular for many therapists to market themselves as life/wellness/holistic coaches. You already have your knowledge. You can get accredited qualifications and learning additional information etc. But the most important thing when it comes to this journey is the mindset. Mindset triumphs all. The business will make you or break, so prepare to dig deep as you have never experienced before.
Number 3: Get Specific
A small business idea might not seem much, but it is there for a reason behind it, so I challenge you to get specific with it. Where do your skills lie? Can they be applied and transitioned into different roles? Although I am an occupational therapist by background, I have used my knowledge, skills, and creativity to become a virtual assistant. Your business can be anything you want it to be, but you must be specific on what you want to do, what services/products you can offer, and who you want to help. Doing this early on allows you to really think about the impact you want to make overall. You might not be sure what that entirely looks like yet. However, if you have the three points, you are already winning!
Number 4: Road Map
Do not freak out if you do not have a business plan. It is absolutely not needed in the early stages, and I mean that. A business plan may take time to think out, be revised a thousand times. You might find yourself pivoting and changing. And it is ok because it is all part of the business. It just gives that flexibility, not like when you have to pick a career and stick at it your whole life when you step out of school. Road maps are helpful. They allow you to plan and organize your ideas but do not get hung up on them. I am a virtual assistant, but I have found myself leaning back towards mentoring because I enjoy supporting people in that 1:1 way. So, enjoy, expand, and excel at what lights you up; you will not go wrong!
Number 5: Support
Support outside of your immediate circle of family and friends can seem daunting and terrifying. Change and growth are on the outside of that bubble you are in. To grow your business and start to set those solid foundations in place, it is absolutely key to hire and invest in support. It provides you with customizable support, accountability, and a soundboard for those times when you want to give up and celebrates the big wins. Yes, there are lots and lots and lots of free resources, masterclasses, and challenges out there to help you out initially, but when it is not individualized support applied to your business, it can leave you feeling stuck, exhausted, and overwhelmed. So do not be that person, investing can seem scary, but that comes back to your courage and mindset. You will be glad you took the risk and made the investment later as your business will be booming. Focus on your end goal, not what is/might go wrong.
Summary
So, here are my five things you need to know, transitioning from a healthcare professional to a business owner. You will not know it all at first, but you did not know everything on the first day of your degree or the first day on the job. Like I said earlier, you can do anything if you put your mind to it. If you can get through your toughest days at work, you can absolutely get through your toughest days in business, be ready, be prepared and be ready to get deep dive! I cannot wait to see you all thrive in business.
If you liked this blog, follow me on IG at va_stephsolutions. Let’s keep the conversation going and see how I can help get you started on your business journey! Also, be sure to check out my podcast, The Meaningful Mentor, a safe space where we discuss the impact of chronic conditions and share tips on managing your condition daily.
Stephanie Collinson, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Steph Collinson is an occupational therapist, virtual assistant, and holistic mentor. After working in the NHS as an occupational therapist and struggling to manage her long-term condition of IBS. Steph decided to start a side hustle in August 2020 after discovering a course online which promised time and financial freedom. Steph has successfully begun to work for herself less than a year since starting up her business to pursue a life she is passionate about and is meaningful to her.
Steph now helps mentors and allied health professionals in the online space get visible, create inspiring content and connect with their ideal clients. She also has her own podcast called The Meaningful Mentor, which discusses the daily impact and challenges of living with long-term health conditions and provides helpful tips and insights to her listeners. Steph's mission is to support those with long-term conditions to live a more meaningful life day to day while running their online businesses.
