I have always been the "right hand man" to the top people at the companies I worked for including Fortune 100 companies. I liked executing their vision and leading teams of people to be aligned.
I have recently started a small online business a few months ago (Smaller than yours!) with a business partner and it is fun to help make the vision and execute the vision. I don't know if it will succeed in financial terms, but we have structured it to be relatively low risk for us and we call our own shots. It is very fun! Enjoy your journey!
Jen, If XX XY doesn't succeed, there's something wrong with the system. Like you I left the big consulting world at 55 and started my own company. It didn't work out as planned, but I learned. Version 2.0 was more successful and on a good path, until my wife's health went sideways. My sense is that you have the right idea. Just make sure your grooming someone to set in if some unfortunate event hinders your ability to devote 150% of your time and energy. God bless you, Jen and all the best in this journey.
I love this. I'm a fellow accidental entrepreneur. I work seven days a week and vacations come with scare quotes. I couldn't be happier. And when my son asks me what my dream job is, I say THIS (after name-checking New York Yankees centerfielder). Keep going!!!
I can’t love this more! I worked at Levi’s when you were there, and felt the impact when you left. I’m one of the casualties of a lay-off after 23+ years because I had a voice my so called “Director” couldn’t take. She was (and most likely still is) a “yes” person afraid to lead. I’m glad I’m gone. I loved what I did and had a passion for the team I led, as well as the key external partners we serviced. They are my friends to this day. The people will always be most important. I wish you much success with your new venture!
The best thing about owning your own business is knowing that, sink or swim, you have only yourself to blame. I hated working for someone else and will never ever do it again. Even on the worst days, being your my own boss is better than being beholden to someone else. Good for you for taking the risk! No matter what happens, you will have the satisfaction of knowing you did your best.
I am excited for you, Jen. What a wonderful age to be launching your own thing with a tiny, dedicated team. Fun! Michele Tafoya advertised XX-XY on her podcast the other day. It sounded like she ad-libbed much of the message because she really “gets” and admires you and believes in your product. That says so much, doesn’t it?
Ah FCB. Most of my corporate life was with a former FCB client.
I enjoyed and related quite well with your overall observations. My life was recently upended, not by my choice, but I have embraced a similar situation in a different “world” than yours. The little team I am part of has no room for subjective opinions, we often disagree but with a common objective that is completely results oriented, that is part of the fun. So while not broke (yet lol), extreme focus on effective spending/investing/resources feels actually fun. And if I can be a tiny thorn to my former employer, even more fun!
I love reading what you have to say Jen! I was very against a lot of things during COVID but luckily for me, my husband and I own our own business so I wasn’t affected like so many others with work issues and mandates.
I’m super excited for you and your new venture! I love, love, love what your product stands for! I haven’t ordered anything yet but I will! I’m waiting for the tank tops to come out! I have a Division 1 daughter who plays volleyball. It’s super important to me to keep women’s sports for biological women only! Keep it up all the good work! I know you will succeed!
At some point, would love to hear more about how you focus. (Writing a book in three months is no joke!) Modern adult life just seems so distracting. Kids are distracting, usually in a good way. Running a household is distracting. The internet is super distracting, in all sorts of ways. It can be difficult to regain the sense of clarity, concentration, and focus that I recall from the pre-internet, pre-family days.
Very very cool.
I have always been the "right hand man" to the top people at the companies I worked for including Fortune 100 companies. I liked executing their vision and leading teams of people to be aligned.
I have recently started a small online business a few months ago (Smaller than yours!) with a business partner and it is fun to help make the vision and execute the vision. I don't know if it will succeed in financial terms, but we have structured it to be relatively low risk for us and we call our own shots. It is very fun! Enjoy your journey!
You too!
Jen, If XX XY doesn't succeed, there's something wrong with the system. Like you I left the big consulting world at 55 and started my own company. It didn't work out as planned, but I learned. Version 2.0 was more successful and on a good path, until my wife's health went sideways. My sense is that you have the right idea. Just make sure your grooming someone to set in if some unfortunate event hinders your ability to devote 150% of your time and energy. God bless you, Jen and all the best in this journey.
I feel there will be a mass of HR people having mental breakdowns soon.
I love this. I'm a fellow accidental entrepreneur. I work seven days a week and vacations come with scare quotes. I couldn't be happier. And when my son asks me what my dream job is, I say THIS (after name-checking New York Yankees centerfielder). Keep going!!!
I can’t love this more! I worked at Levi’s when you were there, and felt the impact when you left. I’m one of the casualties of a lay-off after 23+ years because I had a voice my so called “Director” couldn’t take. She was (and most likely still is) a “yes” person afraid to lead. I’m glad I’m gone. I loved what I did and had a passion for the team I led, as well as the key external partners we serviced. They are my friends to this day. The people will always be most important. I wish you much success with your new venture!
This --> "my best day here in my tiny little start up is better than my best day in the big machine by a thousand fold"
The best thing about owning your own business is knowing that, sink or swim, you have only yourself to blame. I hated working for someone else and will never ever do it again. Even on the worst days, being your my own boss is better than being beholden to someone else. Good for you for taking the risk! No matter what happens, you will have the satisfaction of knowing you did your best.
I am excited for you, Jen. What a wonderful age to be launching your own thing with a tiny, dedicated team. Fun! Michele Tafoya advertised XX-XY on her podcast the other day. It sounded like she ad-libbed much of the message because she really “gets” and admires you and believes in your product. That says so much, doesn’t it?
Ah FCB. Most of my corporate life was with a former FCB client.
I enjoyed and related quite well with your overall observations. My life was recently upended, not by my choice, but I have embraced a similar situation in a different “world” than yours. The little team I am part of has no room for subjective opinions, we often disagree but with a common objective that is completely results oriented, that is part of the fun. So while not broke (yet lol), extreme focus on effective spending/investing/resources feels actually fun. And if I can be a tiny thorn to my former employer, even more fun!
Thanks for the share this week.
I love reading what you have to say Jen! I was very against a lot of things during COVID but luckily for me, my husband and I own our own business so I wasn’t affected like so many others with work issues and mandates.
I’m super excited for you and your new venture! I love, love, love what your product stands for! I haven’t ordered anything yet but I will! I’m waiting for the tank tops to come out! I have a Division 1 daughter who plays volleyball. It’s super important to me to keep women’s sports for biological women only! Keep it up all the good work! I know you will succeed!
Tanks coming in a ~week!
At some point, would love to hear more about how you focus. (Writing a book in three months is no joke!) Modern adult life just seems so distracting. Kids are distracting, usually in a good way. Running a household is distracting. The internet is super distracting, in all sorts of ways. It can be difficult to regain the sense of clarity, concentration, and focus that I recall from the pre-internet, pre-family days.
That's a great question. Believe me I get distracted... i'm going to think about that!