Running your own business is not for the faint-hearted. It is not an ‘easy way out’ of the rat race, nor is it a magical ticket to freedom. It takes focus, grit and persistence. Many entrepreneurs, especially those in their first year, give up. I myself went back to employment after having had a business once. Some years ago now, I decided I was going to stop struggling as a freelancer, and get a job. I was tired of the hustle and grind. The constant looking for clients. The feast and famine. And I wasn’t clear on what I wanted to do anyway. I didn’t have a plan, let alone a vision. I was living from month to month.
So when January came, I decided that that new year I was going to create less stress in my life, and go back into employment.
I wanted something to give me stability and peace of mind. Something that wouldn’t put all the pressure on my shoulders. I would rock up at 9am and leave at 5pm. Simple. A regular income, and colleagues to connect with. Because, let’s face it, being a freelancer or sole trader is also a pretty lonely business. Man, it all sounded like a warm bath. But it turned out to be a little different. Here is my story.
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Back to employment after having a business
I started my own business at the time because it is hard to find work as a foreigner in Spain, where I live. But moreover, I also love being my own boss. I chose a mix of copywriting and some Canva graphics services, to help small businesses. I knew I was good at doing those kinds of things, and soon I got my first client through my networks.
But it was hit and miss.
Sometimes I had clients, often I did not. Some clients were awful and haggling me down, other were amazing. Most of the jobs I was not excited about, and they were lowly paid (because I undercharged or charged ‘mates rates’).
The biggest problem, which I didn’t realise at the time, was that my business was a Jack-of-all-trades, and the messaging and offers were not clear at all. And so I struggled. I was not clear in my messaging, and my clients didn’t understand what service to call me for.
Colleagues, no stress and a regular income?
So after hustling and barely keeping myself afloat after paying my taxes, I was fed up. I didn’t want to do it anymore. I had just finished a copywriting job for a bathroom company, and I was bored out of my skull writing product descriptions for shower trays and toilets.
There was a Dutch call center here in the city, looking for agents, and I thought, why not. I’ll have colleagues, it’s in my native language, and hey – I get a regular income. No more loneliness and poverty. It all sounded VERY attractive.
I lasted one morning. I quit at lunchtime. I hated it.
I went through the training, and made about five calls with my fancy headset on. It was AWFUL, and completely unaligned with my core values.
I was selling something I didn’t believe in. I was cold calling and bothering people I knew nothing about. I was just a number in a sea of agents. There was nothing creative about the work whatsoever.
At 1pm, I put down my headset, and walked out.
I remember vividly walking through Valencia’s gorgeous green riverbed afterwards, and smiling up at the sun. “I am free”.
I made myself a promise that day to never, ever stop believing in my abilities to create my dream life.
Working in a call center was not part of that! And by the way, I didn’t come to Valencia to spend 40 hours in an office, did I?
Refocusing and staying true to my values
Not long after that pivotal moment (and let’s skip fast forward past 2020 when everything was paused anyway), I launched my coaching business, which is now thriving and growing ever since.
In 2019, I didn’t believe I was able to build a solid business.
I felt not good enough, and was stuck, lonely and tired. I also didn’t quite know what I wanted to do as a business exactly, which was the main problem, in hindsight.
And without clarity and focus, the journey is rough and slow, without the desired results. I also had no guidance or support, and that is why I applied for a job. I gave up.
I am so glad I didn’t.
A few great coaches, and many books and courses later, I have come out the other end with a life and business that feels 💯 like me.
And I have more freedom than ever before. And THAT is my number one core value. I guess I needed that god awful call center to show me that I took a wrong turn.
What job did you start and leave almost immediately?
