So I'm going to let you in on a little secret.
I've started a business... but I literally know nothing about business. I graduated from university in 2000, walked straight into a classroom of 3rd graders, and have figuratively been there ever since.
I feel like I can speak for most educators when I say that we live in this sort of career bubble. We have no idea what the outside world is like Monday to Friday. Like seriously, what do people even do with themselves if they aren't working in a school?
So like any good teacher, when I decided to start a candle business, I was ready to become a student of business and learn all about my new endeavour. But how? I have no time for this!
Now I'm letting you in on a second secret.
You don't have to go back to university and/or spend years learning in order to start and/or become successful at an entrepreneurial dream.
If you are around my age, which is 47, and especially if you are a woman at around my age, we have been programmed to believe we must have the most stellar CV to even be considered for anything. Get another degree, load up on certificates, get years of experience, publish a few articles and then maybe, just maybe, you are ready to take that position. But, times have changed my friend. Or maybe times haven't changed as much as it's time for us to shift the mindset.
Starting my business, Honeywood Candle Company, has completely opened my world to what people are up to with their time and money. No longer are people going back to school to open the doors of a new dream. You likely already have loads of education, experience, certificates, and more importantly the drive to make things happen. The biggest challenge isn't going to be your lack of knowledge or ability, its going to be your lack of belief in yourself to do something different.
I jokingly tell people that when I decided to start my candle business I became a student of the YouTube and the Podcast. Thank you, thank you to all my fellow entrepreneurs and dreamers who have been bold enough to create spaces that have helped and inspired so many, including myself, to get started and keep going in achieving goals.
So here are the 7 podcasts that have completely changed my life. I have of course listened to others and am continually finding more, but these are my go to. If you're searching for a new listen, definitely check these out and let me know if you do!
The first podcast I ever listened to was The Michelle Obama Podcast (now I think its called IMO with Michelle Obama). I hadn't started my business yet when I stumbled upon one of the episodes of this podcast and got completely hooked. At this point in my business journey I didn't even know I was on a business journey. I was just searching for a lift to my mental health. Listening to this podcast was both refreshing and inspirational and was one of the podcasts that made me ready for starting my small business when the idea came along.
Somewhere in my mind I believe that listening to Michelle Obama led me to Brené Brown. World renowned author, educator, speaker and more, I literally listened to every single episode of both Dare to Lead and Unlocking US. She covers topics that are incredibly insightful and inspirational, all connected to these books that she wrote.
Fast forward to starting my business and I have to shout out to Erica Marie Morris and The Candle Business Podcast. I've actually not listened to this podcast, but I have watched almost all of Erica's YouTube videos on candle making. Once I started my candle business, this girl was, without knowing it, my candle making teacher. She has a thriving candle business called Memory Box Candle Co. and shares everything you need to know about having a candle business (keeping in mind that her biz is in the US).
Now that I have my candle business under way I have 4 go to podcasts that I literally rotate between each day. If you see me with headphones in my ears or driving my car, one of these podcasts is most likely playing. I love their topics, their openness, their personalities, their passion for helping others, and the way that I usually walk away from every episode with a new idea. These podcasts are literally keeping me afloat on my small business journey with both inspiration and insight. Not in any particular order we have Jenna Kutcher's Goal Digger Podcast, The Amy Porterfield, Show and Amy's other podcast called Online Marketing Made Easy, The Mel Robbins Podcast, and The Product Boss with Jacqueline Snyder. Not only do these 4 women represent podcasts I love, they are also instrumental in the world of entrepreneurship with their resources, courses, masterminds, and social media presence.
Long story short. Don't let lack of knowledge get in your way of starting something new. The world is full of help. Once you open one door it literally just leads to the next and the next, until next thing you know, you're there!
Stay inspired.
Love,
Amy