Written by: Serena Fordham, 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.
Do you know that the number one reason why women start a business is due to circumstances?
We have a baby.
We get made redundant.
We move.
Etc., etc.
However, it is not always our choice, and it is being forced to reduce our working hours, having the job pulled away from us, having added responsibility in life - but what if we made it our choice?
Back in 2013, I was made redundant from my role as a Lettings Manager, and as I had worked up to that position in Estate Agency since I had graduated in 2009, I was devastated.
To make things worse, this all happened while I was on maternity leave with my first child, and within the month, I was due to go back to work and sanity away from purely speaking at my baby all day, every day!
With another mouth to feed me and my husband knew we desperately needed another income coming in, so I found myself in the situation where I would have done almost anything to earn money.
So, after being approached by a friend who needed help setting up an Estate Agency business, I decided to become self-employed.
Today, I have more than one business, with my main focus being on HER Business Revolution, where we provide empowering and collaborative training, coaching, networking, and events for Female Business Owners, so, whether they’re just starting to navigate the business world or want to elevate and scale their business to the next level, we have something just for them.
Her Business Revolution offers a wide range of fun, fresh and innovative Networking, Training, well-being, and Empowerment Events (both globally and online) and our multi-award-winning Superwomen Membership offers everything a start-up or established female-owned business needs to develop and progress successfully.
Looking back, if I had realized how amazing self-employment was when I finished my Business Management degree, I would have delved right into building a business from the start of my career, rather than waiting for that moment of desperation, which did make many of my early decisions forced.
What I am getting at here is that if you are currently unhappy in your employment or what you are currently doing in life, don't wait for circumstances to force change — instead, choose to change things yourself today.
If you are waiting for something to happen to force you to change your life, then you could be waiting forever, or worse, it might one day be too late to make the change.
Life is too short of leaving it up to external factors to decide whether you follow your dreams or not.
Plus, even though employment was once the safe bet, the uncertainty in the current job market, and let’s not forget the gender pay gap, it is now no longer always the best option for the modern-day woman.
Behold, being self-employed means you take back control of your career, your choices, your opportunities, and your life as a whole.
Yes, it is hard work, yes it takes time and commitment to earn amazing money, and yes, you will have to make some sacrifices, but ultimately it allows you to follow your true passions and do what you love every day of your life.
And how awesome is that?
Plus, if I had a ‘normal’ 9 to 5 job, I would not be able to spend the school holidays with the kids or take days off at the drop of a hat. I also wouldn’t have the flexibility to work when I wanted, and plan out my own path in life, and embrace exciting opportunities along the way.
So, my question to you is, do you:
A. Want to let life's circumstances control your fate? Or...
B. Grab your life by the horns and choose how you want it to play out?
Only you can decide.
Serena Fordham, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Serena is an expert Business Strategist, Growth/Development, and Empowerment Mentor to Female Entrepreneurs, as well as a best-selling Author, Speaker, Entrepreneur, and successful multiple Business Owner. Her main passion is offering business strategies, support, and empowerment to ambitious and high vibe business women locally and internationally – through HER Business Revolution at www.herbusinessrevolution.biz. She is also known for her organizational skills through owning Glow Virtual Assistants and for her support of women and child-related charities (also founding two charitable initiatives – Mums Empowerment Movement and SociaBubble).
