My entire business life has been scrappy. I started my first business – allegedly – in 2001. I was supposed to provide human resources consulting services. As I reflect on that venture, I never really promoted it because I didn’t like human resources. I thought it was because of a lack of business skills, but it was because of my lack of passion for human resources.

I was laid off in 2003, and decided to try to promote human resources again. That attempt was worse than the first one. During that time, I realized that I enjoyed writing and creative projects.

The reality of how much I didn’t like human resources became apparent in my last and final human resources position in 2006. My performance was horrible, and I was highly disappointed. Although I had a job, I was still trying to determine what it was I really wanted to do.  As I continued to work the job I hated, I discovered that writing was my passion. My supervisor realized it, too, because when I asked her if she would let me go with unemployment, she said yes.

Remember how Mary Tyler Moore looked when she exited the subway and threw her hat in the air when she had finally made it. Well, I felt the same way when I walked out of my position on February 14, 2008. That was the best Valentine’s Day ever.

I dusted off my business documents and re-vamped The Write Design Company to provide writing services to small and mid-sized businesses. In 2009, I added blogging, live blogging and social media services and training. My business venture is so much easier to promote now because I love what I do, and people can hear it when I talk about it. As a result, I get more business.

My current challenge is branding myself. However, that is going to develop as I continue to grow. So, I guess I can say that I am still rather scrappy in business.

Three women who
are colleagues with “Green Irene”, my affiliate company, separately came
to me for business advice.  I was a consultant for businesses and
nonprofits across America in my last “job” so I have a great depth of
start-up and operating and business planning experience and knowledge,
and apparently people realized that from my participation in the Green
Irene business affiliation. 
After
I finished with my last consultation (which came out of the blue) I put
the phone down and realized there was a need here that wasn’t being
met.
 
So
within the hour I had organized a plan for rolling out a free business
support group targeted to “eco-entrepreneurs.”  I wrote a blog and
posted it and guess what – fifteen people have signed up!  Our first
virtual meeting will be August 10th.  Members are spread all across the US and 2 are international.
 
How does a “free” support group translate into a business?
 
These
people need help writing content for their business and learning how to
set up and use social media.  Two people have already contracted with
me and I feel confident there is more to come!  The group is a way for
me to demonstrate my competency and abilities. 
 
I am revising my website to let people know the types of services I can help them with.
 
Here’s a link to the group I’ve created. Clarity Green’s Eco-Entrepreneur’s Circle.
I may decide to create “series” and “workshops” out of the curriculum
(I am still writing it) and may charge a fee for the support group and
trainings in the future, I’m not sure yet.  Another reason I am offering
this for free is because it gives me the opportunity to “practice” and
learn in a safe, supportive environment, perfect for me right now.
 
But, if nothing else, the group itself has given me hope and the encouragement I need to not give up!