Your employed friends and family probably won't understand. That's ok.

When I gleefully shared with one of my parents and their partner that I was going to start my own equestrian school I was told,

"You should get a real job doing something people actually need.

People don't need horses."

I did it anyway because, obviously.

With no financial backing, a 23-year old single mom, I launched Adda'Go Equestrian and man, what an adventure. Across a decade and a bit, I built my school to be a beastly business full of incredible people committed not only to the horse sport but to each other and to continually striving to become better people.

For several reasons, I came to the decision to shut the school down and pivot into Financial Services as an Agent representing a unique disability insurance designed specifically for business owners and medium-high risk tradespeople.

As an Agent, finding clients depended on me driving around prospecting for anything indicating someone may be our ICP. Work vans, work boots, signage, lads having a coffee in a Tim's parking lot; I can spot a tradesperson from 500 miles away.

The earning potential was appealing. 42.5% of the first year's annual premium compounding YoY with 5-10% passive renewals, the opportunity seemed well fit for me.

I went to the same parent and shared the exciting opportunity I was pursuing and was told,

"Sounds like a Ponzi Scheme."

I did in anyway. I got my A&S license, I hit the road and in short order I became the top National producer and stayed in the top 2 for the years that followed, earned multiple President's Clubs and helped a whole lot of people when they were down and out.

It does give me pause that despite the dismissive comments from many over the years as I launched and scaled several businesses for myself and others, the same folks are on the front lines with their big smiles and thumbs up celebrating the wins and accomplishments as though they played a pivotal part in that success.

We'll dig into that another day.

Serendipitously, today marks 3-years since I took my first employment opportunity running the RevOps for a National Public Affairs firm. The idea of knowing how much I could anticipate being paid and when, the full benefits, paid vacation with evenings and weekends off (for the most part), was quite amazing.

Having my earnings capped regardless of my effort was not.

I did land myself 'exceeds expectations' on each of my four performance reviews and a decent bonus for my great work that I accepted gratefully. The entrepreneurial spirit in me was yearning for the times when my earning potential was uncapped.

Those who have spent their careers as employees ride the same circle of go to work > paycheque arrives > rinse and repeat.

Those who work for themselves understand that there is no circle. You can put forward the highest effort for extended periods of time and get very little to nothing in return.

But then it happens.

The fruits of your labour come due. The clients start rolling in, the revenue starts piling up and the reps put forward for weeks, months, maybe even years starts to payout dividends far beyond anyone's expectations and, an entrepreneur is born.

The spark of joy and pride to point to something that you brought from an idea to a tangible business helping people solve problems and reach goals.

There is nothing quite like it.

Should you be in a position where your friends and/or family's hot takes hit you like a dagger riddled with doubt and fear I need you to hear me when I say:

It's not a lack of belief in you, but a lack of insight and understanding of the entrepreneurial spirit.

I see you, I am you and I have founded PIVOT to help wrap entrepreneurs like you with the support, skills and strategies to nurture your spirit and help you help others.

If PIVOT seems a fit for you, we would be thrilled to have you. If not, I encourage you to find a network that does so you know you're not alone in this journey. There are many slugging it out just as you are with dreams and goals as wild as your own.

And I think that's absolutely beautiful.

Until next time,

Amanda Dunklin

amanda@pivotnetwork.ca

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PIVOT is now accepting founding members seeking to launch, scale and optimize service businesses across Canada. Whether in work boots or the boardroom, we are ready to support you.