TIPS FOR ENTREPRENEURS ON THE JOURNEY
Wherever I’ve been, whatever I’m up to, I’m ALL IN.
When I was a world traveling global citizen I went to 35+ countries including 2.5 years soulbattical living in Thailand, Taiwan, and Mexico. As a facilitator and experience designer for 15 years, I’ve led 100’s of corporate events and community gatherings for the likes of LinkedIn, Sony Music and Nike. And now I’m onto a new frontier, becoming an Entrepreneur and the CEO of branding, styling and design agency: Creative Muse Studios.
Having grown hella startups and led many entrepreneurial communities, you’d think this would be easy. But to be honest, I’ve been scared and intimidated, shaking in my boots. It’s like that Marianne Williamson quote,
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously permit other people to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
So much easier to hide in plain sight by following another badass, creative visionary entrepreneur. Let me hitch a ride on your rocket ship!
I come from a lineage of entrepreneurs. My grandfather was “the man” charismatic, serial entrepreneur, life of the party. My dad had his own dentist practice for over 30 years and my Mom has her own interior design business. For immigrants, entrepreneurship is not necessarily a choice, it’s survival. But creating something that’s yours, dreaming of more for your family, leaving a legacy, don’t we all want that?
I’ve worked with every kind of entrepreneur. From organizing Tantra retreats and festivals to activating purpose companies, supporting leaders to write their books, scaling high-impact communities, and launching a school for love.
Sometimes that next big thing feels so scary, and yet the reality is every step in your journey has led you to this.
When I got laid off from my last in-house role, my close friend and collaborator @mazinjamal_ said, “You’re not getting another job. If anyone can make great $ being themselves, it’s you.” That lit a fire under me. Delaying my dreams and working for someone else was no longer an option. My financial advisor at the time advised against it but I decided to bet on myself, “let’s fucking go.”
Here’s what I’ve learned on the Path Less Traveled: Becoming an Entrepreneur.
SOULPRENEUR HOT TIPS PART 1
Focus on what you uniquely do. What are the natural, distinct and valuable gifts that you bring to the table? Ones that map to your skills, strengths, and passionate curiosity? What would you do for free (but you’re ready to be paid)? What’s your ikigai, a Japanese concept meaning "a reason for being" or "a reason to live"? It takes time and experience to find this but once you do, build your business around what you uniquely do.
Find the River. Business Advisor @jordojon gave me this gem. He said, “don’t just look at your revenue streams, find your river, what’s going to gain traction quickly, an easy yes, and where cash flows.”
Design for your Lifestyle + Livelihood + Legacy. Learned this from Business Coach @jameskeylim - You can design anything…but design your life centering what really matters.
You Can’t Delegate Your Leadership. Being a leader is a humbling journey. We’re all leading something, whether it’s ourselves or a company. As leaders, delegation is important but there’s certain things that are for you and only you to do. Step up. Show up. Set the tone for your team.
Call in the Dream Team. People are the heartbeat / lifeblood of any org or team. Share the why, align it with theirs, treat them well and they will deliver for you consistently.
SOULPRENEUR HOT TIPS PART 2
Get a Virtual Assistant or 2 or 3. Your time is worth a hell of a lot more than you think. There’s a learning curve, it can be messy but remote support can be invaluable. @adoboace @expandyourcapacity
Visionize. Strategize. Mobilize. This I learned from trusted brand advisor @jenniferkem and her best-selling book “Unicorn Team”. Set the vision. Align with strategy. Mobilize your team.
Relationships are Everything. I learned this from @theadamrosendahl @lateniteart who has built an impressive creative company that’s led 850 events in 18 countries. The way he cultivates relationships with everyone from high level execs to the internal team to youth exploring their creativity is inspiring.
Systems. Systems. Systems. This intimated me but even for the free spirited wild ones, systematizing things and choosing discipline can actually lead to more freedom. Dubsado CRM. Asana for Project Management. Calendly for scheduling.
Work smarter not harder. Ooof - this one been a hard one that came from my Pops. I’m finally starting to learn how to set my future self up for success. Practical + spiritual can be a winning combination.
SOULPRENEUR HOT TIPS PART 3
You can do anything but you can’t do everything (all at once). Another challenge! As a Human Design Manifestor and Enneagram #7 Enthusiast, I want it all and and I want it right now. I’m learning to pace myself and my team. Release the urgency.
Burnout is not cute and Self Care is a non-negotiable. I’ve lived through cycles of burnout, of working myself to the bone, of never enough. It’s just not worth it! Learning to rest, manage stress, and soothe my nervous system is a life skill and self commitment.
Purpose is not just one thing. I’ve worked for purpose companies and been a purpose coach, I’m into it. What I’ve learned is that purpose is both a golden thread and that we are fish swimming in our purpose, bringing our purpose to everything. That job is not your purpose, it’s a step in your journey.
Ambition YES, but first, gratitude. Yes, I want to be a thought leader, have a podcast, YouTube channel and a Netflix Show that’s Queer Eye meets personal branding and styling. And I intend on achieving all of it but the road is long and gratitude for all I have now makes it sweet.
If you work for someone else, the scenery never changes. Another Dadism. He would tell me, “It’s only if you’re the top dog that you’re really in charge of your destiny.” Yes it comes with a lot of responsibility, you’re the CEO that’s keeping the lights on but you also get to set the direction and if you build it intentionally, learn as you go, you’ll create something greater than you ever imagined.
SOULPRENEUR HOT TIPS PART 4
Let go and trust the journey. The Entrepreneurial path is another one of these that will work you from the inside out. All your old stories, outdated patterns, unconscious ways of being, they will bubble up because as much as we like to believe we’re “professionals” the truth is we’re humans at work. Tools like Forgiveness, Gratitude and Blessings are what will allow you to trust yourself and the journey.
Stop trying to be perfect. It’s never gonna happen (as much as I’ve tried). Embrace and accept that you’re here on this Earth to grow and learn. If you had it all figured out, what kind of fun would that be? Progress over perfection. Self love over self harming. Faith over fear.
Have the AUDACITY. I had an akashic record reader who told me to “be bold . Think about how a white privileged man would be. Have the AUDACITY to want more for yourself and then go get it. Live AUDACIOUSLY.”
Make Your Own Music. This one comes from an intuitive business psychic @aprilkingpsychic who once told me, it’s so easy for you to collaborate, you’ve got so many amazing people around you. But think about Missy Elliot, who is very collaborative, but what if Missy Elliot had never made her own music? Her music is special and distinct, give yourself space to make your own music. Sing your song!
Spirit’s Got Me. My connection to Spirit is what keeps me on the path. Knowing God’s got me and I’ve got me, no matter what. Spirit is my compass. Spirit is my cofounder. Spirit and my guides are my board of advisors with that “I got you, forever” kind of energy.
