Dare to be an entrepreneur!

Pssst, I have a secret 🤫 => I lead a double life 😎 

Since it's starting to get out, I've decided to come clean:  I've started my own Travel Planner business ! 

I see you coming:  "What's gotten into her?", "She wants to leave her job?", "Is she not satisfied with her job?" 

Or on the contrary:  "How is that possible?", "Where does she find the time?", "It takes guts!" 

Rest assured, I haven't hatched a grand plan (at least not yet) nor have I decided to announce my departure. The idea of this post is more to share my experience, hoping it resonates with you and encourages you to listen to your inner voice. 

Likewise, if any of you have had a similar experience, I'd be delighted to exchange notes! 

Discovering a New Horizon 

First, let's rewind: it's early 2019 (a time not so long ago when the pandemic was clearly not the center of our concerns), my curiosity led me to attend a career workshop organized by my employer. After half an hour of introspection where I reflected on my professional journey, the facilitator asked us to change our posture: "What would be your ideal job if you had no constraints (financial, family, professional...)". That's where the magic of conditioning lies, the answer to this potentially unsettling question was a revelation for me: it's organizing travel (and it's a real job => Travel Planner)! This activity fascinates me and I feel it makes an impact. 

And that's how the seed was planted. Six months later, I created my sole proprietorship, launched my website and social networks, and signed my first contract. 

The Learning 

But in the end, why am I talking about this experience? Well simply because for me, it allowed me to dare to step out of my comfort zone and explore territories I wouldn't have reached otherwise. 

Five years later, I've obviously had ups and downs, moments of doubt but no regrets. I've grown immensely. If I had to share three lessons, they would be: 

• Define a vision, a strategy, and set goals : I've experimented, I've reinforced reflexes that also serve me well with my employer.

• Knowing how to say no : The art of prioritizing is already a reality as an employee. As an entrepreneur, it's not a luxury but a necessity. Here again, I use this strength daily as an employee. 

• Knowing how to sell yourself : yes indeed, as an entrepreneur, if I can't sell my service well, I might as well stop right away. This is also useful as an employee 😊 

And for those wondering how I juggle my various activities, there's no secret: it takes organization AND patience ! 

Today, I am fulfilled: Entrepreneurship allows me to have an impact by enabling my clients to travel worry-free while allowing me to develop plenty of new skills and express my creativity, and that contributes to being even more useful on a daily basis personally and as an employee.  

And if you're interested in my Travel Planner activity, visit my site www.valeez.fr (pronounced "suitcase" 😉).