Leaving the Comfort of Corporate to Help Others Make Their Mark

FOUNDED CELEBRATES A YEAR IN BUSINESS: LEAVING THE COMFORT OF CORPORATE TO HELP OTHERS MAKE THEIR MARK

Founded made it a year. Marking this milestone has me reflecting on what it took to make the leap and what it takes to stay the course. Although there’s a long way to go, I will celebrate the success of learning, growing, and persevering as a self-funded woman entrepreneur.

With statistics reporting 20% of startups fail within the first year and about 50% in five years, it’s frightening and very realistic to think that your business might not make it. Yet, in 2021 there was a record-breaking 5.4 million new business applications filed and nearly 5.1 million in 2022.

So what drives people to leave the comfort of corporate and chart their own course? During my years as a professional fundraiser, I had the incredible opportunity to meet with and get to know a wide variety of successful executives and entrepreneurs. I always felt privileged to learn from them about their industry and how they got their start.

All of their stories were unique with varying degrees of courage, innovation, and determination, mixed with some good fortune, and (as I’m learning) a lot of resilience. However, over time, I began to realize there was another common denominator, they had all reached a pivotal pressure point or moment in their lives when they discovered it was time to make their own way. Some might consider it a calling, others might consider it survival…I believe most would say it’s a combination of the two. Such was the case for me.

My 20s were spent figuring out my career path and my 30s were spent honing my skills. When 40 hit, I had established myself as a professional, my success was solid and my earnings were secure.

Yes, owning my own “something” was always a thought and at times perhaps felt like a “call”, but like so many other entrepreneurs, the impetus for my business was survival. I had experienced too much to go back to corporate life, and each time I thought I might, I was redirected back to Founded.

It’s been remarkable and an incredible honor to build my brand side-by-side with my clients. I respect their risks, regard their dedication, and most importantly understand their need for support.

The African proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together” encapsulates the essence of Founded’s business model. We become an extension of the client’s team providing the support and expertise needed to launch their brand, program, or project for a fraction of what it would cost to employ someone full-time or hire a large firm.

I understand what it feels like to wear all the hats while keeping all the balls in the air, but no one needs to do it all alone, and is that really what’s best for the business anyway?

There’s a saying that, “Whatever you long for, give it to others.” This is something I practice faithfully. Contact me for a complimentary 45-minute brand assessment consultation. With so much on the line and the statistics stacked against us, let’s build together and go farther than we ever imagined!

Now, let’s get to work!

Lisa :)

Founded Creative Brand Strategies offers project-based brand and community engagement services, including brand development, logos, website, and newsletters.