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I started my first business when I was ten. My best friend and I opened a 'hobby shop' in her father's garage, after collecting second-hand goods from all the neighbors. We had a plan, a pricing strategy, a partnership agreement -- and the entrepreneurial spirit that has stayed with me from that time to this.
I came into my adult life with a career goal - to be a social worker. And a mission - to be a writer. Both lent themselves nicely to self-employment, and have served me well.
I married Michael about a million years ago, and we had three children, all grown now. In 1985, I sold my first freelance writing to the local newspaper, and we bought a small janitorial business in northern Alberta. Within 3 years, we had grown that business to the point of half a million dollars a year in contract sales, 15 staff, five vehicles on the road around the clock, and a full-time office on main street - with a full time office manager, who wasn't me. I was too busy doing the marketing and long-term planning!
Our heart's desire was to live back on Vancouver Island where we'd met, so in 1988 we sold that business, and 'came home.' I knew I never wanted to scrub another toilet as long as I lived, and I knew also that Michael would start another janitorial business as soon as the boxes were unpacked. What else could I do?
Why, open a balloon store, of course! For three years, I became 'The Balloon Lady,' doing costumed character deliveries, pink flamingoes on the lawn, and special event planning and decorating.
I continued free-lancing in the human services field all along, offering seminars, talks and courses in everything from stress management, to parenting, to decision-making. In 1992, I began to include 'Starting a Small Business' workshops in my itinerary, as well.
In fact, if you ask nicely, I can still be persuaded to do those workshops ;-) -- read more about that aspect of my personality, HERE.
When the balloon store's lease in the mall came up for renewal, I decided to become home-based and only serve my regular customers, allowing me to pursue more training opportunities and the freelance writing I loved, again.
Meanwhile, the janitorial business Michael had started on the Island was growing, the kids were growing, and our love for the sea was growing. In the spring of 1995, we hired a manager for the janitorial business, sold our 1800 sq. ft. home, and moved into a float home in beautiful Maple Bay. After a year on contract as the Self-Employment Assistance Coordinator at Community Futures Development Centre, Cowichan Region - a great place in BC to get technical advice, assistance, and financing to start a small business - I found myself, once again, with the self-employment 'bug.'
When our last child left home, we were free to leave home, too – so we bought a 40' classic wooden boat to live on, and began doing sightseeing charters out of beautiful Deep Bay on Vancouver Island. You can read more about that HERE!
It doesn't get any better than this – cruising this beautiful coast and being able to share it with folks from all over the world, and, when we're on the dock, I write! And write… and write … and write…
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