Entrepreneurship in a Pandemic

This is a really interesting time to be an entrepreneur in the business of serving others. In one respect- people could use help and guidance more than ever but there is understandably often also financial constriction and fear.

I’m a life and business coach and I’m speaking today through the lens of the coaching industry, but truly everything I’m talking about is relevant for all kinds of entrepreneurs right now- anyone who relies on providing services for clients.

I’ve seen a variety of responses to the changes in our economy in the coaching landscape- some coaches seemed to pivot overnight and are now putting everything they have into programs like- How to Develop your Online Course! (And make money while you sleep).

I’ve seen coaches running fire sales on coaching.

I’ve seen coaches go completely dark and say to themselves- nobody will prioritize coaching during a pandemic, maybe I should just give up.

And I’ve seen coaches who are showing up in bigger and bolder ways than ever before- some of them are still growing their business even now, when everything is so uncertain.

I’ve had to think about who I want to be as a professional coach during this time- and who I want to be as an entrepreneur during this time. I do know that I’m not willing to simply pretend that it’s business as usual today because it’s just not.

What I am willing to do is to follow the example of some of my colleagues and show up to serve outrageously. I’ve been reaching out to leaders I admire in the world and prior clients and just offering them time with me. No strings, no agenda. (If you’re a leader in the world and would like some- no strings attached- time with me- reach out. I make time in my calendar every week for this.)

As our medical professionals are on the front lines for our physical health, I feel like I’m on the front lines for our collective mental health. In some ways I, too, am an essential worker.

My coach tells me this- people will never forget how you show up for them during this time.

For me, part of navigating through this pandemic is coming down to- what do I want to be known for in six months or a year? Do I want to be the coach who hustled to maintain my client load, or do I want to be the coach who stood as an example of service in the world?

I’m dedicated to creating the latter for myself.

I’ve been working on a TEDx Talk (thank you Alexia Vernon!) about how work can be used as a catalyst for growth and I’m realizing that this topic is more important today than it’s ever been.

Every single person in the world has been questioning their relationship with work given what’s happening. Because everyone is seeing that the security they thought they had might not really be there. Or they’re wondering- if all this is coming to an end is this what I wanted?

So, my focus for the foreseeable future is to write about this thing called work and how we can shift our relationship to it.

Because this is how I can make a difference right now.

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