Have you started a blog or small business and just don’t know how to get your ideas to the next level? Or do you feel like you’re off to a great start, but don’t know how to actually make money? Here at the Sandbox to Success Podcast we want to help you take your home adventure (or blog) from a family affair to the business you dreamed of! In the time it takes you to get the kids ready for school, we’ll be teaching you the tips and tricks needed for success. Finding the info you need to succeed with your business can be difficult, but don’t worry! We’re here to help.
This week we’re going to do something different. I’ll be talking a little about myself. I’d like to share my story, and hopefully, you’ll do the same. I am so interested in why you do what you do and how you got to where you are. Where are you in your story? Personally, I’m kind of in the middle of my story right now.
My story starts just over 10 years ago when I was 17. I was accepted into a government of Canada program where where the government sponsored a group of youths aged 17-21 to travel across the country for 7-9 months. As a group, we got to experience new things, earn wages, experience new cultures, and give back to the communities.
Before going to the program, I wasn’t the greatest kid. I did a lot of things that I don’t do now. When I went to the program I had ambitions to move to the city and become a video director. In the program, I volunteered in schools and did a lot of activities. Through this program, I learned that teaching was my passion.
When I went to university, I focused on Parks and Rec and figured I’d be an outdoors teacher. After realizing that I hated the Parks and Rec program, I switched to a double major of History and Women’s Studies. Then, I finished the program in just 3 years. Right before the end…. my husband and I found out that I was pregnant.
My pregnancy put a slight hold on my plans, since I would have had to be a student teacher for approximately 4-5 years before beginning in career. I also realized that I did not want to be a children’s classroom teacher. I found I actually liked adult education. My husband was a newspaper editor and was unable to find work in his field. We were really struggling and living in my mom’s basement with our newborn baby and our dog.
During this struggle, I learned to be frugal. I searched the web for cloth diapers, often driving hours to pick them up. In my frustration, I began to search the web for more efficient ways to do this. With a small tax refund (under $5,000), and a $1,000 loan from my mother… I launched my online cloth diaper business.
During this time my husband was working odd jobs at night, while going to school during the day. I was at home with the baby alone for the majority of each day. During my alone time, I searched the web for information on how to start a small business. However, there wasn’t much information out there pertaining to what I needed.
I was in a Facebook group of mommy business owners, and I reached out to owner on a whim about my idea to start a blog teaching people to do all of these things I was having trouble finding online. She immediately responded that she’d love to embark on this adventure with me.
From this point on, we started our business and began expanding from there. We were also able to include new contributors whom were able to bring their unique wisdom and areas of expertise to our blog.
What I want I want to stress is that these “little ventures” can turn into big opportunities. I’ve since been able to quit my day job and focus full time on my websites… a huge milestone for me. This didn’t happen over night. I didn’t just wake up a huge success. However, I realized that I do still have something to share. I was able to do all the things I set out to do, with hard work.
I’m challenging you, no matter where you are in your story, to start sharing your story more! In the beginning, I was soo embarrassed to tell people we lived with my mother, in the beginning. Now we are out on our own with our own house. Having the support helped me to accomplish all these dreams
So, please! Share your story with us. You can share it on twitter or instagram, with the hash tag #totspodcast. You can also come visit the Thinking Outside The Sandbox Facebook Page!
Thanks for listening to the Sandbox to Success Podcast, with your host: Katrina M. Thom. If you like what you just heard, leave us a message at iTunes or Stitcher. We would also love to hear what you have to say. Use the hash tag #totspodcast to connect with us on twitter. Don’t forget to check out the show notes, which can be found at www.totsbusiness.com. Join us next time for another edition of the Sandbox to Success podcast. Have an AWESOME day!
