Attention all women entrepreneurs! I know how busy you are and how every minute counts when you are working to grow your business. But, take my advice and take time to reflect on exactly what it is you want out of life and make sure that what you are doing is taking you in that direction. It is true that when one door closes another door opens...the question is, where does that door lead?
As a business coach, I work with many entrepreneurs, both male and female, but the angst I hear from women about the road ahead is very different than that from men. Women entrepreneurs often are confused about what the endgame for them and their business should look like. For example, some women actually tell me that they see themselves working until they keel over at work. Unlike men, who most always tell me that they see themselves sailing away in retirement or at least living the good life, women can't seem to envision their life in retirement.
Seriously, I know that many of you reading this don't believe me. But, if you are a woman entrepreneur reading this, ask yourself: "What does my retirement look like?" Exactly!
Women entrepreneurs must take the time to reflect on what they are doing to make sure that their actions are working toward a goal that is desired. Let's look at some real examples:
First, I know of a woman entrepreneur who was very successful in her design business. She had waiting lists of clients and work enough that she was able to hire an associate to lean on. Her reputation in business allowed her to gain referrals from her vendors, customers, and people who knew of her work only by reputation. However, a life event occurred and she felt compelled to leave her business for another venture: a business that she had no previous experience in or customer base. She believed that her business acumen would carry her through. Year after year she persevered in the new business only to fall further and further behind. She received advice to 'throw in the towel' and go back to her previous business - all of which she ignored. The more she heard "close the door, another will open' she fought the inevitable. She believed her persistence and business acumen would win out. Unfortunately, that was not true. Closing the door was the only choice in this case.
This very talented woman entrepreneur was physically afraid to close the door on her dream business believing that ending it meant turning back rather than moving forward. The fact is closing, selling, or exiting one's business is a step ahead not back. The best way forward is to step out of the shadow of the past. It may not be easy, but it is absolutely necessary to see the opportunities ahead.
The fact is successful entrepreneurs are laser-focused on their businesses. But in order for them to turn the page and forge ahead, at some point, it is necessary for (s)he to completely close the door of the present to open the door for the future.
If you are lost here it is because you fear the future!
My wish for women entrepreneurs everywhere is that we appreciate our talents and our luck and admit that we want a future that might not be called 'retirement' by some people's definition, but by our own definition! We know as women that our lives are full with family, business, community and so many other things that we haven't had the time to delve into - yet we are willing to be ready to close one door and allow another one to open for us.
So, think about how you want your final business chapter to be written. I hope you choose to exit your business by selling it or turning it over to a family member or trusted employee. Perhaps, your business is large enough to merge with another large company so I wish that you don't fear being left out of the loop sooner that you wanted. In any case, I promise you if you allow one door to close another will open for you. Believe me. I've been there.
