Business Inspiration Needed! What Inspires You to Hustle?

What Inspires You To Hustle?

Business inspiration can be a challenge for many small businesses or solopreneurs (businesses made up of one entrepreneur)! As a small business owner, solopreneur and a business consultant, among other things I sometimes struggle to find inspiration and direction to keep me moving forward. It is natural for question to pop up, like the following…

Am I making a difference?

Are the services I am providing right for my target audience?

Will the hustle now pay off later?

Can I make something out of this?

Is the work I have done so far moving me in the right direction?

And it’s healthy and smart to answer all of these questions honestly as you reflect on the things you have done, your goals for your business, and where you want to be down the road.

The Most Important Question

There is however, one question that matters most of all and that is…

Do you love what you are doing?

Honestly, do you actually love what you are doing? Do you stay up late or jump out of bed ready to go to work? If the answer is yes then keep on hustling. This should be all the business inspiration you need, right? You are a business owner.

You are smart.

You are already making a difference.

You can modify your services as needed.

And you know that your hustle will pay off down the road.

You are certain that you will continue to innovate and adapt.

Your head knows this, your heart knows this but somehow the connection is not there.It is not easy. We all feel down at times! Our drive can fade in and out. It is when we are down and out, about to quit, that we need a good dose of inspiration. A reminder of why we do what we do.

The January Blues

So, I was missing that ever so important drive this January. I needed some business inspiration because this month has been uncomfortable for me. With clients facing transitions of their own my ability to afford to live in DC was in question. Some leads that I thought I could make into something fizzled out. Numerous emails had been sent but remained unanswered. I had a really bad case of the January Blues which were magnified by the heinously cold weather!  I have felt overwhelmed with tasks but lost on direction. Unaccomplished and unable to commit. I was ready to let go of this hustle. It didn’t matter that I loved what I did if I couldn’t live off what I did, something had to give.

Inspiration Strikes

Cut to an unexpected surprise while I was attending an event with a local client. Here I am chomping on an apple behind the table. A familiar face strolls up, I recognize the face but with a mouth full of apple, at a loss for words and somewhat shocked I take a moment as she comes in to give me a hug! The familiar face was a woman from my past life, an author by the name of M/R Johnson.

The Back Story

I still remember the day she came into my store with a copy of her self-published book, Memoirs of an Addict: Fact or Fiction to see if we would carry it and what we would be willing to do to help promote the title. Normally, I would have taken the book and told her my assistant would get back to her, but she struck me as someone special. Her ability to capture an audience with a story was evident. Her passion was unmistakable.

We booked her for an event, her first ever book event on October 8, 2015. I remember listening to her as she delivered a captivating story that was full of hope and inspiration, and I smiled because I sensed that her story touched a few hearts and minds of the attendees and it had the potential to make a difference. In 2016 we asked if she would be one of the featured authors at the first ever Healthy Book Festival we did in conjunction with NBC. Once again her story was captivating, and I watched and was so very proud of her.

She was gaining experience and more confident and she was openly telling her powerful story. This time I was certain that she had made the difference in the life of at least one of the people in that audience.

Powerful Stories

I have always believed that stories have power. Stories inspire. A well-delivered story can make you suddenly realize something about yourself, or motivate people to stand up and fight for something they believe in. I may have only been a bookstore manager but I felt good that day. I had given M/R a platform to tell her story. A story that was going to help somebody.

Making a Difference

When I decided to go into the social media business it was because of people like M/R Johnson Those people in the world that realize the power of words, woven together so beautifully they create a tale that is capable of moving mountains. Each story has value and should be told. We should all listen and try to learn something new about ourselves or others.

She was now standing in front of me, a successful author, storyteller, mental health activist, and she has published another book. She is still telling her story and making a difference in the lives of those she touches. And after that hug and reintroduction, I glanced down at the card she had handed me and read to myself, “Words Can be Powerful, carefully put together, they are priceless.” It was exactly at that moment she said to my client…

“He gave me my big break, he believed in me.”

My Realization

All this time I was hoping that she made a difference in the lives of those who heard her speak and I missed the fact that I had made a difference in her life. I believed in her story and the power of stories to bring change. It was simple, but it was PRICELESS!

Business Inspiration: Returned. Hustle Mode: Resumed

And in a flash, my blues had lifted. At that moment when I needed it most the Universe provided me my business inspiration in the form of M/R Johnson. I discreetly wiped a few rogue tears that had snuck out of my eyes away and grabbed my notebook to begin making a plan. I am determined to continue down this path and see where it leads. I love what I am doing and know that I can help individuals and businesses tell their story. Harness the power of social media. Change perception. Help others. And do so many more things.

I had learned something priceless last week. I learned that believing in those around you may be enough to make a difference in their lives!

That, right there, is why I love what I do! That is my business inspiration and the reason I hustle! Thank you, M/R for reminding me of that and getting me back on track!Do you need someone to believe in your story and help you tell it on social media? Have ideas but not sure how to execute them? Need to brand yourself or your business? JRH Graphics can help!