Driving an Environmental Entrepreneur

Driving an Environmental Entrepreneur

Today, I found myself reflecting on the progress of my environmental consulting business and I thought, it's time for another blog entry. I admit I don't blog very often, but when I do, I feel like there is something worth sharing. So here it is...

As much as I love owning a business and working as my own boss, I was thinking about how tough it is to keep going during times when work can be slow. The Christmas holidays can be a real crack in the piggy bank. If you are an entrepreneur, you may know exactly what I mean. For the rest of you who may be curious about the daily grind of an entrepreneur, let me be the one to tell you. I'm not afraid to be an open book in this respect. It has been two and a half years since I started a consulting business and in the last few weeks I found myself contemplating on getting a part-time job, not just to supplement my unsteady income since pay is project-based, not salary-based, but mainly to help pay my way through grad school. It also seems easier to quit and start looking for a full-time job working for somebody else's company where there is the hope of security with bi-weekly paycheques, health benefits, bonuses and perhaps even tuition reimbursement.

So what drives me to continue to do what I do? Reflecting back on why has reminded me about two things.
One driver is I love helping my clients. They definitely keep me going. I appreciate their loyalty to continue to work with me. If it weren't for them, I wouldn't be where I am today. Sure there are struggles, but that is nobody's fault. It just comes with the territory of being an entrepreneur. There are good days and there are bad days. The days when I feel like I am able to help out one of my clients whether it is answering a question or finishing a project, those are the good days. And that is almost every day. I will continue to provide you with my honest opinion, regulatory knowledge, and the quality of work you've come to value. I also appreciate the positive feedback that my clients have shared with me. It reminds me of why I do what I do.

The other driver is being able to contribute to make the place a better world. I may be a small piece of the puzzle, but we are all interconnected. You, me, the air we breathe, the trees that are absorbing the carbon dioxide and turning it into oxygen to give us life. The oxygen that gives all other living creatures life as well. It's the circle of life. Being able to help a company take a step closer to becoming sustainable, whether or not it is triggered by regulatory requirements is one of the reasons why I got into this field. The products made from non-renewable resources also have a life. From raw material use for processing to the final product made for end-users like us. It's finally time to think about how we are connected to things and the life cycle of these things. But this is a topic to save for another blog. For now, it's a penny for your thoughts.

These are the drivers that keep me going and pushing through the challenges as an entrepreneur. As for the challenges, I'm leaving it to fate to work things out and trusting the universe that all that I deserve will eventually come at the right time. I just need to be more patient. By the way, I am 65% closer to obtaining a Master's Degree in Environmental Practice. I can't quit now.

All the best,
Connie