Growth isn't always flashy

I can’t believe it’s almost June.

As I am a few months away from my business’ first anniversary, I’ve been taking stock of what I’ve accomplished and what I’ve learned. Launching a business is like raising any child: it can be hard to see the growth on a day to day basis. So let me share what I’ve observed.

Everything takes longer than you think.

For example, I couldn’t just take a state licensing exam. I had to take courses. I couldn’t snap my fingers to have a website. I had to design and build it. People don’t instantly know about my business just because I’m ready to know about them. I have to network and market.

Growth takes time. And it takes patience I don’t always have.

Businesses require more details than you expect.

Legal filings and contracting. Tax IDs. Hardware and software. Marketing materials and business cards. (Hint: Don’t rely on the computer screen to accurately show you how small the typeface on your cards is. Yes, I do have 500 of them.) Accounting tools. Professional organizations.

You spend months being surprised and adding to the “honeydo” list out of necessity. I’m honey, and I’m the one to do it.

You will learn, and your brain will thank you. Afterwards.

I already knew about health insurance, but I had to master life insurance and annuities to get my license. I am a minor Excel and PowerPoint goddess but I continue to be a website newbie. (I designed and built it myself. If you haven’t checked it out yet, please do. I’m proud of my progress.) I’ve always found it easy to advertise my staff and my friends because they do amazing things. Talking about myself has been harder.

I keep reminding myself that when it comes to your brain, use it or lose it.

What you think people need is not always what they think they need.

When I started, I thought I’d be working mostly with seniors trying to squeeze coverage and costs out of healthcare and Medicare. Yes, I talk to a good number of seniors about this.

But I’m also seeing many people getting ready to retire. They’re 60 to 64 years old. They are reading and googling, trying to understand Medicare and Social Security. They need someone to translate insurance into English and point out the gotchas, the things that can cost you money if you aren’t aware. I’m honored to work with these folks also.

I'm sure I will continue to learn quite a lot. Stay tuned for updates.