Wow, I can’t believe it has already been 11 years since I launched my business! It flew by so quickly but I’m sure that’s partially because I never got to sit down and really process it all. It all started about 12 years ago when I was helping a friend manage their network marketing booth at Kirkwood’s Beyond Rubies Conference. The booth was shared with Jennifer Zach, an entrepreneur who had recently launched her coaching business. We had spent the two days chatting and getting to know each other when she approached me about joining her pilot program, Passional Driven Professionals. Toward the end of the program, she helped me realize that I could use my love of administrative work and technology to launch my own business. I worked diligently over the next three months and by March 1st, 2011, I had launched my business. Mai was not supposed to be born until May 14th, but she surprised me by coming on March 28th! Here is a real quick run-through of some prominent points in my life up until now:
Mai had to have surgery within 24 hours after birth. She had some complications and was in the NICU for 14 days. We stayed at the Ronald McDonald House to be closer so we could visit her regularly. We had to suit up every time to go in to see her.
I became a single mother when she was just six months old.
At 2.5 years old, she was diagnosed with mixed receptive-expressive language disorder. She started weekly speech therapy with Witwer and 2x a week in-home therapy with Grantwood AEA.
At 3, she started Developmental Preschool.
There were many more advocacy moments while working to get her tested and evaluated, and still to this day, to get a complete picture of her diagnosis. (Especially after the Major Cognitive Disorder diagnosis she received at six years old). More about all of this on another blog post.
Joined a women's organization, ABWACRCC, and got involved. I started on the PR Committee, then the Website Committee eventually moved up to Vice President, and then was President for 1.5 years. I was their first African American Women President. Things were getting a little busy with managing Mai's diagnosis venture, trying to move my business forward, and working part-time, so when I decided to step down, the chapter voted to disband.
I tried to do my business ¾ time for a few months but decided to go back to work part-time. For about five years, I was the co-provider at my best friend's daycare.
I decided to teach continuing education classes at Kirkwood Community College. First, it was helping them with their Microsoft courses, but then I started launching many of my own (Become a VA, Time Management, iPhone Series, Mac Series, Gmail, Cloud, and more in the works).
I was a Girl Scout Daisy Troop Leader for three years. Volunteered on Mai’s school PTO board as Co-Secretary for two years and did the President position for one.
I moved to do before & after-school care on my own, but shortly after COVID started, I decided to stop doing daycare completely because all other ventures kept me busy enough.
There are many more things I could talk about, but this gives you an idea of how these 11 years have flown. I can say that I was majorly excited when I launched my business, but probably not as excited as I am for the new ventures that are happening right now.
Click here to see the list of classes I teach at Kirkwood.
Big News
I am so proud of Allie, BusyBee Business Solutions LLC. She has been a go-getter since the day she took my 'Become a VA' course at Kirkwood Continuing Education in October (7th, 2021). She has been a valuable asset for helping me launch this blog and the few other ventures that are coming soon (VA Group and Coaching Services). Thank you for everything Allie. I am looking forward to watching you achieve all your goals and more.
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