Transition to Entrepreneur: Secure Your Standard Living
- (Admin) The Thrivology Company
- Apr 29, 2024
- 8 min read
Ditch the Leap of Faith: Transition to Entrepreneur Without Sacrificing Your Standard of Living, Darling!
Right, let's have a real chat, shall we? How many times have you heard the advice "leap & the net will appear"? Sounds exciting, doesn’t it? Like something out of a motivational poster. But honestly, for most of us, especially mums juggling a million things (like, is that mashed banana on the ceiling?!), leaping before you look is a recipe for a serious face-plant, not a graceful landing.
See, I’ve been there. Remember my story about the E-Factor competition at university? It was meant to be this amazing launchpad, a 'now or never' moment for my co-founder & me, fresh out of uni, and me a new mum. I was so excited, buzzing with this "this is it" energy, completely convinced this was our big break. Turns out, "all in" meant very different things to us – she needed the stability of a job, while I was itching to go full throttle, fueled by that naive, just-graduated optimism. Definitely felt more like a belly flop into a paddling pool without water, let's be honest! I remember feeling so deflated, like all that excitement had just whooshed out, leaving me wondering if I was even cut out for this whole business thing. Those early ventures taught me so much about the difference between blind leaps & strategic steps, between scrambling & building a sustainable business that actually supports the life you want. I vividly remember thinking, "If we're going to do this, we need to DO this, not tiptoe around it." That experience, though tough, was invaluable.
This post is for the woman who craves more. More flexibility, more fulfillment, more control over her income & her time. More impact. More life. It’s for the woman who’s tired of being a replaceable cog in someone else’s machine & dreams of building her own empire but is smart enough to know she needs a solid plan.
Because leaving your job doesn't have to mean a drop in income, darling. In fact, with the right strategy, it can be a pathway to much, much more. More freedom, more financial security, & a whole lot more joy. This isn't about settling; it's about strategically upgrading your entire life. Truth be told, when I first started trying to map out my escape from the corporate world – pre-MBA, pre-PhD, pre-kids number three and four – I massively underestimated my actual expenses. There were months where I was staring at my bank balance thinking, “Okay, how on earth am I going to make this work?”. It wasn’t pretty – let’s just say there were a few frantic “how am I going to cover this?” moments before I finally nailed the process I'm sharing with you here.
From Paycheck to Profits: Calculating Your True Needs (Let's Get Real!)
Let's ditch the vague aspirations & get down to brass tacks. Before you even think about handing in your notice, you need crystal-clear clarity on your financial needs. & I don't just mean a rough estimate; I mean a precise, down-to-the-penny understanding of what it takes to maintain your current standard of living. Remember my MBA days? All those late nights poring over finance models while juggling a toddler? Turns out, those principles are pretty darn useful in real life too!
So, grab a cuppa (or a glass of wine; it’s always wine o'clock somewhere!), a notebook, & let's do this:
Track Your Spending: For a full month, track every single penny that leaves your account. Yes, even that cheeky latte. You need a complete picture of your spending habits. There are some brilliant apps for this, or even a good old spreadsheet will do the trick.
Categorize & Analyze: Once you have the data, categorize your spending. Housing, food, childcare (because let’s be honest, that's a significant chunk for many of us!), transportation, those little treats you deserve... the lot. This is where you get to see where your money is actually going. Ever had one of those "wait, I spent how much on takeaways last month?!" moments? Yeah, me too. It’s really funny, because I used to be shocked, but not anymore.
Factor in Future Goals: Dream of that family holiday you've always wanted? Planning to invest in your children's education? Factor these aspirations into your income goals. Financial freedom isn't just about covering the bills; it’s about creating the life you truly desire.
Build a Buffer: Life throws curveballs. Unexpected expenses, a temporary dip in income... it happens. Build a financial cushion into your calculations to navigate these bumps without derailing your entrepreneurial dreams.
Building a Business that Pays the Bills (and Then Some!)
Now that you know your magic number, it’s time to build a venture that not only meets those needs but exceeds them. This is where we move beyond survival & into thriving.
Niche Clarity is Queen: Who are you serving? What problem are you solving? The more specific you are, the more powerful your marketing will be. Remember what Rory Sutherland says: value is created in the mind, not just in the factory. He challenges us to think about what our offer means to our customers, not just what it is. This is about tapping into their deepest desires and anxieties, understanding their “why” on a psychological level. This isn't just about selling a product; it's about crafting an experience, a feeling, a transformation. For example, think about Uber – they didn’t just create a faster taxi service; they created a way to reduce the anxiety of waiting by showing you exactly where your car is on a map. That's the power of understanding the psychology of your customer! If you’re trying to be everything to everyone, you’ll end up being nothing to no one. Feeling lost in the fog? Our Spark Programme helps Foundation Builders like you gain clarity on their niche and build a strong business foundation. Spark Program Page
Irresistible Offers: What transformation are you offering? How is it different, better, more aligned with your ideal client’s needs & desires? This is where we draw inspiration from Sabri Suby’s High-Value Content Offers (HVCO). Suby's not just about throwing any freebie out there; it's about creating something so valuable, so targeted, that it positions you as the expert and makes your paid offer the obvious next step. Think "lead magnet" with a serious dose of strategy. He talks about "entering the conversation already taking place in the customer's mind." That means understanding their deepest fears, their secret hopes, their late-night Google searches. What keeps them up at night? What are they desperately trying to solve? Answer those questions with your HVCO, and you'll have their attention. Give your audience something truly valuable, something that speaks directly to their deepest desires and most pressing pain points. Think about those late-night worries they have, the questions they're Googling at 2 AM. What can you offer that provides genuine solutions and makes them feel seen and understood?
Systems for Success: This is where my love for systems comes in. Efficient processes, smart automation (yes, AI is your friend! Think Fusion – using AI practically to automate tasks, analyze data, and personalize your client interactions, making you more efficient, not just more "techy"), & streamlined workflows are non-negotiable for scaling without burning out. A simple system can be as basic as automating your email sequences or using a scheduling tool to manage client appointments. More advanced systems might involve integrating AI for data analysis or content creation. The key is to start small, build consistently, and always ask, "How can I make this easier, smoother, more automated?". Imagine having a business that runs smoothly, even when you’re taking that well-deserved family holiday, or – in my case – chasing a toddler while recovering from a C-section and working on my PhD. Sounds dreamy, doesn't it? Believe me, having robust systems in place makes all the difference.
Mindset Mastery: Building a successful venture is an inside job. Imposter syndrome, fear of visibility, pricing anxiety... we all face these demons. But you can overcome them. This is where the power of "Identity Alchemy" comes in, darling. This concept, inspired by the work of Adrienne Weimer, is about acknowledging that to achieve your biggest goals, you often need to become a different version of yourself – shedding old limiting beliefs, stepping into your power, and embracing who you need to be to lead your business and life with confidence. It's not just about positive thinking; it's about deep inner work. For instance, one powerful exercise is to visualize your future self, the successful entrepreneur you're becoming. What does she do? How does she think? How does she feel? Spend a few minutes each day embodying that future version of you, and you'll be amazed at the shift it creates. Another helpful technique is journaling prompts. Start with: “What's one limiting belief that's holding me back in my business right now?”. Once you identify it, rephrase it into a powerful, empowering statement. It's about shifting who you believe you are to match the entrepreneur you're becoming. Who do you need to become to create the business & the life you truly desire? It's a journey of continuous growth, but so worth it. For me, a big part of that was realizing that "hard work beats intelligence when it's smart work," and building a system that actually works for my life.
The Transition: A Phased Approach for Peace of Mind
Ready to ditch the corporate shackles? Here's a 3-step checklist to make the transition smoothly & responsibly:
Moonlight Magic (The Side Hustle): Start building your venture before leaving your 9-to-5. Think of it as your secret weapon. This lets you validate your ideas, gain traction, and start building a client base without the financial pressure of relying solely on your new venture. Imagine this: you're building your email list, creating your first offers, and even securing a few clients while still receiving that steady paycheck. It’s all about mitigating risk, darling!
Replace, Don't Leap: Aim to replace your current income with consistent venture revenue before handing in your notice. Don't just leap and hope for the best; build a solid financial foundation. Once your venture income consistently matches (or ideally exceeds) your current salary for a few months, you'll know you're ready to make the move with confidence. I remember one particularly stressful month trying to figure this out, juggling spreadsheets, childcare costs, and a sudden vet bill for Espresso (our crazy Miniature Pinscher puppy). I felt so overwhelmed, wondering if I was ever going to crack the code. This is about creating genuine security and stepping into your entrepreneurial journey from a place of strength, not scarcity.
Strategic Scaling (Reinvest & Reign): As your venture grows, resist the urge to splurge on everything at once. Instead, think strategic reinvestment. Pouring profits back into your business—whether it's upgrading your systems, investing in a high-level coach (like our Momentum 1:1 Coaching for Scaling Leaders, once you're ready for that stage!), or hiring a VA to free up your time for more strategic work—is a powerful way to accelerate your growth and build a truly sustainable & scalable enterprise. Remember, slow and steady wins the race. Or, as I like to think of it, my journey is more like the tortoise than the hare with four kids & a PhD, but as long as I'm moving forward with purpose & smart action, I'll get there. Think long-term growth, not short-term gains. A great example of this is GoPro, which reinvested early profits strategically into product development & marketing, fueling its explosive growth.
You've Got This (Seriously, You Do!)
Building a successful business while juggling all the other demands of life is not easy. But it is absolutely possible. & it's so incredibly rewarding. It’s about taking ownership of your journey, making smart decisions, & creating a life aligned with your values & aspirations.
So, ditch the leap of faith & embrace the power of a solid plan. You are capable of so much more than you think.
What’s one small step you can take today to move closer to your entrepreneurial dream? Share it below! We're in this together.
Carlene Nisbett
Founder & CEO, Femmeprenista (Coach, Mentor, Speaker)
Wife, Mother of four, Business Owner, PhD Researcher, Pet mom, Plant mom, 5'0" tall Passionate Multitasker & Wine Lover, You get the drift
P.S. This workbook is just the beginning!
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