Jennifer's Journey

I spent my twenties and thirties helping a major UK retail entrepreneur build a hugely successful business over eighteen years.

The highs of success brought a true satisfaction of having built something very special. Unfortunately, retail is a roller coaster and on one of the downs we could not gain the momentum to climb back up again.

My life seemed to crash around me at the same time as the business failed.

Suddenly there was a massive void. I had no financial stability and I lost all confidence in my abilities; exacerbated by my old boss taking out his frustrations on me and telling me I would never run a successful business of my own or be successful without him.

At the very time I needed to believe in myself I could hear the voice of this person telling me I would fail. I lost my confidence not just for a few months but a for a few years.

As the last few years have ticked by – I can’t believe it is ‘a few years’ I found a regular job – .I needed to pay the bills and get back to work again.

Trapped

However,I knew that I was in the wrong place. I felt trapped in a job that didn’t feel right. I realised that I wanted to work for myself. I knew I was capable of running my own business.

Every time I sat in front of the television the words economic downturn and bad time for businesses fueled the advice of those around me: ‘Don’t give up a stable job, It’s the wrong time, You might find it hard to get another job, Your plans might fail.’

On the back of my other experiences I have had to dig deep to find my strength again, but I am pleased to tell you today that I have finally, after five years, found the inner strength to stand out on my own.

I have stepped out of the ‘safe’, ‘secure’ world where I can be anonymous and draw a wage in return for being a fraction of the real me.

Today I am being true to myself. My new retail business is one week old. I love ringing in the sale, wrapping the goods and building my customer base.

I have no illusions about the hard work ahead of me. Right now, I’m working many more hours than my in my previous employed position, but, I’m massively happier!

I had two text messages this morning

The first from my inspiring seventy-year-old Mum: Welcome to the world of entrepreneurs and a happier life.

The second from Fiona: Fortune favours the brave…Well done!

I have finally found my strength to move on and get on with my journey.