Another year in business. Yet more painful lessons.
My calendar tells me I am celebrating another year in business… wow.
I’ll be honest, I’ve felt like closing everything down and getting a job instead so many times that I’m surprised you’re reading anything from me today.
For example, there were industry-leading (ex!) clients who were all sweetness and light to their followers, but behind the scenes they were narcissistic control-enthusiasts.
And I would never “name and shame”, but please just know that no amount of followers or perceived status is an excuse for toxic behaviour. I spent too long feeling unhappy in their worlds because I was worried I would be committing career suicide if I quit.... Until I did... aaaand.... you know what? My business is doing just fine. Probably better than fine - see my next point.
There were the anxiety attacks from just seeing their ^^ names pop into my inbox or across my newsfeed. #Unfollow That's stopped now. Thank goodness.
Oh and plus there were clients who expected the moon on a stick for a fiver, along with Siri-like responsiveness (even though they were paying for part-time support) but I didn’t have the confidence to set firm boundaries.
This meant I missed out on family dinners and personal appointments because I kept on prioritising clients' needs above my own. Now I have MUCH better boundaries (and balance)... but I definitely got that very wrong for a long while.
Not forgetting the costly mistakes that came from realising creating an agency and hiring employees wasn’t even *my* dream - I had been following someone else’s version of success all along. I slowly learned that running a successful business wasn’t all blue tick Insta accounts, having a team member page on my website and six-figure launches (not that I'd say no to that last one, mind - I just don't have the business model right now).
When I think about you and me, our versions of success are going to be wildly different - and that’s good! Because what makes me feel happy, balanced and successful is very unlikely to be the same for you. So let’s just stay in our own lanes, eh?
Oh and spending way too much on operating expenses which caused a right financial pickle… until I found out about Profit First and stopped buying every training course I liked the look of because I'd definitely-definitely feel confident after "just one more" (spoiler alert: I didn't need to learn more stuff... I needed to take more right action).
If you recognise yourself in any of this - you’re not on your own.
Running a business is a LOT.
Balancing work/home is a LOT.
So yes I’m surprised to still be here, but I’m also super proud of how much I’ve grown as a person over that time too.
Because, after going through a redundancy when I was pregnant with Freya (now nine), I vowed to not put my eggs all in one basket, which is why I created six revenue streams in my business over the years:
One-off coaching and mentoring
Coaching and mentoring programmes
Associate coaching work for existing good-over-profit companies
Training and digital products
A new physical product (coming soon!)
Business management support to online businesses
That's why I keep going. To spread the risk, and to create a better, happier and more balanced life for me and my family. 💗
About
My name is Victoria Tretis and I'm a certified coach (ICF ACC) who supports busy professionals who are feeling bogged down in their daily grind.
I do this through thoughtful coaching conversations so clients become unstuck and feel empowered to create their own version of life that makes them feel happier, balanced and more successful both professionally and personally.
To find out more:
