Career & Entrepreneurship
How I brought my business online during a global pandemic
Let´s start fresh
Let’s face it – 2020 was far off worse than many have imagined. The unemployment worldwide is on a rise. We don’t know what the future holds. Nothing is constant but changes. What is there to change when you can’t change the outer circumstances? Right! YOURSELF!
In May 2020, I lost my job due to Covid. The Company I was working in had to cut salaries in order for the owner to survive. Having just come out of maternity leave and having experienced severe postpartum depression, I was faced with two possibilities at that time. I could either give up and fall further into the depression I was already dealing with – or I would be grateful and rise from this situation.
I chose the latter and instead of filing for unemployment I filed for self employment.
It was a scary step to take and I figured that if I fail, I can always go back and get a corporate job. But what, if I succeed?
What if I succeed
By profession I am a Marketing Coach and I’ve been in the business for over 10 years and hold a bachelor´s degree in the same. The process of setting up the self employment was very easy. The administration of the compensation fund needed a few bills and a write up of what I am doing in order to grant me the SE.
Apart from all the administrative stuff, I of course, did some spiritual stuff too – to keep me and my business in the flow. I’m listing my steps here for you to copy:
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#1: Find your niche and specialize on what you already can offer to the world
By profession I’m a Marketer, so it was close that I would offer my marketing services to people. Even though it’s not exactly what I want to work forever, it’s a beginning and a perfect way to start self employment. If for example you’re a psychologist, you could start online consultations or small online courses.
The amazing thing about putting your business online is that you can work from ANYWHERE and you can reach clients from EVERYWHERE – if this doesn’t sound like freedom I don’t know what does.
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#2: Write your own magic
Writing a gratitude list everyday for your accomplishments is really key. The trick is to write it as it has already happened. If you wish to attract more clients you need to be ready for them. I know, you’re thinking „But Sefora, I don’t have clients, so why should I be grateful for them if I don’t have them yet???“ – That is PRECISELY my point…
Be grateful for what you already have, the courage to start your online business, the ideas you had, the clients you have (Yes, even if you don’t have any clients yet) – believe me – it works wonders and transforms your self doubts into actions.
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#3: Check in with your heart – what brings you joy?
It’s crucial for you to grow in business or as a person, you have to check in with your heart – what truly brings you joy? Is it what you’re currently doing? Are you maybe ready to make a shift in your career and work part time to pursue your dreams in your spare time? Are you not ready yet to take the full leap of faith? It doesn’t matter! What matters is you and how you feel about it.
I feel often we get jammed up in work and forget to live and to check in with ourselves to see what it is that we feel and WE WANT.
Check in with your heart
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#4: Stop Self sabotage & Self doubts
Yes. It’s time now. You’ve been doing it for long enough now. And it’s time to stop. Spot your self destructive behaviours and stop them. Let me tell you a self destructing behaviour which you might do or not do, but in my case – I’m a master of it: Procrastination.
Basically what happens if you do this, you make your clients angry, you don’t have your act together and basically it will lead to yourself failing.
Once I realized it, I was more aware when I was seeing a self destructive behaviour creeping up again and I could immediately combat it. I recently released a podcast episode on this topic. You can listen to it here.
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#5: Work for your dreams – organization is key
Work should not feel like a burden. It should feel like an amazing thing that you can do everyday. What helped me keep going was that I always reminded myself why I am doing this. While being a self employed mother of two young children, I have the freedom to set my appointments on when I want them to be. Sometimes of course it is stressful and it can be very tiring, especially when you have a lot of ground work to do. But it pays off!!
I wouldn’t want to have it any other way. I can work from anywhere I want and I get to cuddle my kids in between.
Remember that at whatever stage you’re in currently, what counts is that you’re moving forward. One step at a time closer to your dream career.
About the author:
Sefora’s journey of self discovery and spirituality started when she left everything behind, travelled to India to live in an Ashram for over 3 years. Back in Zurich she started to pursue a career in marketing and realized thereafter that she needs to work in the spiritual field as well.
Soon thereafter she completed the Reiki Master levels, as well as her Yoga Nidra teacher training and her EFT Professional Course. She is also a very passionate blogger and podcaster and loves to help people achieve their goals through marketing and mindfulness. In May 2020 she founded her own business called Cosites, marketing coaching & branding. For 1:1 Sessions follow her on Instagram and or contact her on seforacuoco@gmail.com
