Leap of Faith
A Success Story

This success story is the my own story! Yes, Your Small Business Guide, Veronica Robbins - that's me. My story is all about faith and willingness to take a chance.

I was a school teacher at the beginning of my career, straight out of college. Then I continued on to graduate school and became a school and school district administrator. I really loved my work. In fact, I had accepted that I would never be a business success story. That was for other people. I would work in schools, never make much money, but be happy. Sound familiar?

One day, one of the consultants I had been working with over the years who owned his own grant writing and program evaluation consulting firm asked if I would be interested in doing a little grant writing for him on the side. It sounded like a good idea, and I definitely needed the money. My husband was staying home to raise our young son and a school administrator's salary didn 't go as far as we thought it would. So I started writing on weekends and in the evenings.

Soon, the consultant I was working for part-time asked me to come work for him full-time. He was getting ready to retire and was looking for someone to take over his business so his support staff would be able to keep their jobs when he retired. That made sense. I took a chance. This guy really was a success story. He made loads of money and he had so much business that he had to turn down work. Hooking my star to this guy could only be a good thing, right?

What happened over the next two years is a very long story. In the end, I found myself having to make a choice between a bad business deal (spending a huge amount of money to purchase a small percentage of a business that made most of its income from my effort) and stepping out on my own to go into business for myself.

I'd like to tell you it was an easy decision, but it wasn't. I was the sole source of financial support my family. I was nervous about not getting a regular paycheck, but I saw the huge amounts of money that could be made from my efforts. And I knew I was good at what I did.

I thought about it for a couple of weeks, prayed about it, talked it over with friends and family, and with incredible encouragement from my husband, I gave notice and quit my job.

I had no clients, no contracts, no office - just some knowledge, ability and faith that God was going to help me succeed....and the need to make some money.

I set up an office in my living room and got to work. I started cold calling potential clients. I contacted a few old friends in education and offered my services. Within two weeks, a check for $10,000 arrived in my mailbox and I was on my way!

Within three months, I hired an assistant and moved to a suite of offices. That was about 8 years ago. Over the last 8 years, I have had between 2 and 10 employees. Last year, my consulting firm brought in over $1,000,000 in revenue - and it all started in my living room a couple weeks before someone took a chance on me, gave me some work, and sent me $10,000.

I have loved working my own business. It's very lucrative and the freedom is amazing! But the story doesn't end there. While I love what I do, there are times of year when we are under a lot of deadline pressure. For years I had been looking for a way to earn residual income so I wouldn't have to take on so much work during the most stressful time of year.

The answer came in the form of several network marketing opportunities. I found some opportunities that complemented the work of my consulting firm. One involves video streaming, another involves online training, a third is related to maintaining positive relationships with customers. Each of these is a business opportunity of its own, but together they form a powerful strategy for wealth acquisition and retention. There is a synergy between them---each helps the others grow -- and they all support my primary consulting business. When I combined these with an internet presence and some affliate programs, the potential grew even more!

Wow! If I had been unwilling to listen to the people who approached me with these opportunities, I would have missed out on so much!

As a result of my success, my husband still stays home to care for our children, and we take several exciting vacations every year. My children are enrolled in private school. I have the freedom to spend time with my family when I need to or when I want to.

Earlier today I made the arrangements for a two week cruise my family will be taking this summer. I booked the cruise (a large suite), and I made the flight arrangements (all first class). We will have a terrific time, and I don't have to worry about the money. Why? Because I know that my business is secure and will function well while I'm gone, and I also know there are plenty of opportunities to make more money. There are opportunities everywhere! I just have to be prepared to take them...and then do the work to make them reality.

I still work hard, but mostly because I love it, not because I have to. One of my favorite things to do is talk with other people to show them how they can do it, too. That's where the idea for Your-Small-Business-Guide came from. Most of the information you'll find at this site is absolutely free. There are links to helpful resources - some are free and others require a fee - but you can always keep coming back here to find more and more totally free content and support for you as you take the leap to start and grow your new business.

Helping you find the freedom that I have found - that's the most important part of my success story.

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