I can't believe it!  June 30th is my 5 year anniversary of leaving the corporate world!  5 years of caring for critters.  I NEVER thought of myself as an entrepreneur.  I NEVER thought I would have my own business.  I am often asked how I had the courage to leave a cushy job, a steady paycheck, and BENEFITS, live VACATION, HOLIDAYS, SICK DAYS.   My answer: I don't know where it came from inside of me, but I pulled all of my strength and just "did it"! I HAD TO BE SUCCESSFUL! 

 

Wow, a quick recap:

Year 1: I cried almost every DAY wondering if I made the right decision!

 

Year 2: I cried once every 2 WEEKS wondering if I made the right decision. I started hiring employees an had 4 in year 2.  We had about 35% increase in service requests.

 

Year 3: Crying was reduced to once every couple of months.  The market crashed, which was terrifying. I employed 7 to 10 sitters throughout year 3. We remained in growth mode, but it slowed to 9% comparing calendar year 2009 over 2008.

 

Year 4: Market still sucked! I cried once every few months. LOL! Held steady at 7 to 10 sitters.  Another year in the BLACK - we remained in growth mode, but slower than the previous year - 5% comparing calendar year 2010 over 2009.

 

Year 5: Market slowly started to recover.  WOW!!!  I now have 19 sitters including myself and growth has jumped to 23%!!!  Tears flow very rarely and no longer question my decision.

 

In the past 5 years, YES, there were A LOT of TEARS, SURE, I questioned if it was the right decision, but I NEVER questioned if I would be successful.  I knew I would be successful.  I HAD to be successful.  There was NO other choice.  I was going to make this work, come hell or high water, because I NEVER want a REAL job AGAIN!!!

 

I love what I do.  I LOVE the people who work for me.  I ADORE our clients.  I LOVE THIS LIFE I'VE CREATED FOR MYSELF!!!

 

WOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO 5 YEARS!!!!