One of the hardest things to do as a business owner – heck, as a person, is to recognize exactly what you suck at doing. And that’s just what I had to do these last few months.
I needed to figure out what Kildal Services LLC was about – what it would be about in the future. Strip it down and figure where we excel, and where we fall short. And let me tell you, “it was hard as HELL to do.”
Last year, I wrote an article about going back to my roots. The epiphany that made me write that piece was acknowledging something that was difficult to admit to myself, let alone write about; that being an expert in QuickBooks Online, in and of itself, wasn’t enough to distinguish myself among others in the industry.
That epiphany also led me to look at how I was running my business – and how I wasn’t. I made a list of what goals I wanted Kildal Services LLC to hit in 2015, and then I broke them up by quarter. Then I looked at how I was going to do it…
And realized that I had NO FREAKING IDEA how to do it.
Like most business owners, I’m pretty fiercely independent. I’m used to figuring out how to do things, I’m a bit stubborn and have some issues with control.
But over the last 11 years, I’ve learned so much about myself as a business owner, as a person, as a parent and a spouse. I’ve learned when to ask for help, like when I travel for work; I have an amazingly supportive husband and network of friends, family and even clients that step in to help with my kids. I’ve learned that my kids think I’m the greatest parent ever – they’re proud of what I do, and understand that I do it to give them opportunities that they know not everyone might have.
I’ve learned that I don’t always have the best ideas, that my way ISN’T always the best way – and now I’m always excited to learn if someone has a way to make things easier, or a process more efficient. I’ve learned from peers like Michelle Long & Donna Ohman to take criticism for what it is – not an attack on me personally, but feedback to help me be better.
Most importantly, I’ve learned to admit when I don’t know something – at all – and to do what I’ve been telling my clients all these years: hire someone. I didn’t start my business to do marketing, and it was time to hire someone that DID. Enter Laura Wooten, and Wooten Communications (more on that in an upcoming article).
This is my intro to that process – I want to share with all of you my process of redefining – and redesigning – my business from the ground up. I plan on sharing with you all of it – the good, the bad, and the render-me-sleepless terrifying parts.
I can’t guarantee these plans will work out, or even turn out the way I envision them right now. I may be wildly successful, but I may have to call it quits and bag parts or even all of it. No filter, no sugar coating. Some panic attacks, crying and temper tantrums – but also some awesomeness, some fun and ultimately – and I’m banking on this – a successful new and improved Kildal Services LLC.
Will you share this ride with me?
Stacy
Editor's disclosure - a minor change in this feature was made at the author's request on 3/19/2021.