My Catalyst Moments in Business Round 2

Many of us on this journey of the Entrepreneur and Small Business ownership will experience multiple catalyst moments in business along the way that propel us toward transformation. Although some catalyst moments are caused by joyful circumstances, my catalyst moments in business were birthed out of a “key” job resignation and an illness that reoccurred through my disobedience.
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“The Why of What I Do” helps me stay focused, encouraged and motivated to hold on through my catalyst moments.

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​My catalyst moment in business happened because I resigned from my 7 year corporate job as a Policies & Procedure Writer to pursue full time ministry. It was a position that was newly created. My first corporate job getting paid doing what I loved and I walked into it by divine design. They previously had an outside consultant doing the work. So when I requested to work from home a few days a week and they refused (even though I wrote up procedures several times from home, on my time, during prior years) it was the push I needed to move on.

I prayed about it first, searching myself and seeking Spirit-led direction. After I put fear in a choke-hold and wrestled it to the ground, I submitted my resignation letter and walked away at peace in my decision. Even though I had no a plan of action, I did it without regret then or now. It was July 30, 2010 and all I had was one published book, plus a Word document created 2nd book, and about $10,000 in my 401K.  I cashed in the 401K and coasted till about the end of March 2011 when the money started to thin out paying close to $1000 in rent.
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• Lesson learned- For tax reasons, I should have waited till 2011 to cash in my 401K so that my tax liability would have been reduced paying in the 2011 year when I was self-employed instead of in 2010 added to my corporate salary.
• Jennifer Kem learned suggestion- Consider your employer as an investor in your dream/ business and put a little away from each check to fund your goals while your there.

It was time to get a plan of action and make some money, so I invested in both a Life Coach Training program and a New York State Entrepreneurship course and completed a business plan. However, I was too afraid to step out of my comfort zone to get seen and heard, so I wasn’t getting paid. Instead of operating in my gifts and developing my skills, I signed up to do mystery shops and hazardous waste trainings.

By mid November 2011, I was facing eviction and had to pack up my apartment, put my belongings in storage and move back to my childhood home with mom. I continued” talking” about wanting to be a self-employed entrepreneur, but demonstrating double-mindedness by entertaining other options not in alignment with my heart and soul desire. I had convinced myself that since I was operating as an independent contractor, it was OK and I was on track.

Another of my next catalyst moments in business happened because in continuing to go that route, I got sick with and old respiratory illness that hindered me from honoring my commitment to complete the current work assignment to train employees at Best Buy stores on specific products. It was a reminder that I was out of order, needed to trust God to do what He promised, and operate in my gifting. It was a strong warning that it was time to become the priority and be about the heart things I was passionate about; and that this was no longer an option.

NOTE: This insight was uncovered in round two of My Brand Story Challenge with Jennifer Kem.