The coolest part about building my personal brand through blogging has been having a great connection with all of my readers and clients. You guys love the value that I teach and provide, but you also love the transparency of why I do things. Many of you who have been following my income reports know that I’ve been in the process of transitioning from a full-time designer to a full-time coach and have asked why I’m finally going to quit my design business.
As much as I believe in passion, I believe in purpose MUCH more. When I started designing professionally at 18, it was because I thought it was amazing that I could get paid to do something I loved. Making pretty digital graphics has always been my passion and I have been blessed enough to do it for the past 7 years by building websites, crafting logos, and infusing some of those skills with photography. Because I was so young, the couple hundred dollars here and there for the first 2 years sufficed. My parents wanted me to stay in school because they put my college degree at a high regard. So long I was going to school, they would provide for me financially if I needed anything. I was doing well enough on my own that I didn’t need any financial support, but it was good to know they were a supportive cushion in the back of my mind.
As I got more involved in my business and my clientele grew, it became extremely hard to balance school and “work”. For years I struggled to keep up with my studies because my heart was focus on designing while my head was focused on pleasing my parents. After I reached my “breaking point“, I finally dropped out with a sense of freedom. I began to discover who my target audience was (this is a big deal) and tap into my purpose. I ABSOLUTELY 100% BELIEVE THAT PURPOSE ALIGNS WITH BUILDING A PROFITABLE BRAND BECAUSE YOU FINALLY FIGURE OUT WHO YOU ARE MEANT TO SERVE. When you align your life, brand and business, it all makes sense. Finding your purpose in business essentially means you know which type of clients/customers need you most.
[Tweet “The most important thing for your business is to find and serve your audience.”]
So… because I finally left my comfort zone (college to get approval from my parents) and stepped into my calling (running my business full-time with no distractions), I began to attract an audience who was drawn to my story. This is also why telling your story is absolutely vital to the growth of your personal brand. I’ve told my college dropout story a million and one times because without that story, I would NOT be where I am today. The people that were drawn to my story were just like me; primarily creative women who wanted to start their own business but were scared to leave their comfort zone.
Defining my target audience made business so much easier. I knew the type of work I wanted to be doing so it wasn’t random and it helped me earn a consistent income. For a little over a year or two, I started to make a lot more money. I learned how to communicate my value and start charging more. When I began blogging, I talked about how I ran my business, and that became even more intriguing than the design aspect to a lot of people. At the beginning of 2015 I started offering consulting and decided to launch my first online course, Blogademics. I was curious as to who would actually want to learn from me so I put it out there. It was awesome because I got my first wave of passive income through Blogademics.
Pro tip: I suggest consulting a decent amount of clients before offering a course so you know the top things your audience struggles with. Then you can package up all of those struggles into a solutions-based course.
I really enjoyed that I could serve my audience in a different way. A lot of people tell me “I know I want to serve others, but I just don’t know how.” Serve your audience with your passion. My passion at the time was design. While I still love design, I don’t love it as a service anymore. I feel like I can BEST serve my audience through coaching. I can make the transformation in their life and business more efficiently through coaching than I can with design. The goal is to marry your passion and purpose (figure out how you can serve others while doing what you love). I’ve done that for 7 years, and now I’m ready to make a bigger impact.
Designing for money at this point in my life is more of a headache than a joy. I don’t have the patience to do the things that I did anymore. I don’t want to make updates. I don’t want to work with people who give me no direction saying “I trust your creativity” then ask for a million updates. You end up going form a $75/hour project to a $15/hour by the time you’re done with all the questions they ask and updates they want you to make. I can’t. It literally doesn’t make sense for me to design for what I was charging (even thought it was good money) when I can make a bigger impact for a bigger income. When I have to take even 20 minutes to make a design update it makes me cringe because that’s time I could be writing a blog post or coming up with excellent, value-filled [free and paid] content for my brand. I’m not saying to automatically start coaching for money. That is a horrible, horrible idea. But I’ve paid my dues. I’ve graduated to a next level in business. I’ve earned my spot as a coach, and it’s the next step to serving my purpose.
So what’s next for me? The transition has been crazy and exciting and confusing with bursts of confidence and bursts of doubt. It’s honestly felt like leaving a 9 to 5 to work for your dream job. That’s what designing for clients feels like to me now; being in a job i don’t enjoy any more. I’ve learned a lot from investing in my own coach in April and surrounding myself with people who get things done. This is another chance for me to leave my comfort zone of designing where I know I can get money and transition to coaching where I have to reinvent myself as an expert. The more you stretch yourself into bigger places in your life, the better off you’ll be. Dropping out of school was the scariest thing I had ever done, and now quitting my design business trumps that experience. This “fear” let’s me know I’m doing the right thing.
[Tweet “Amazing things happen when you don’t allow fear to hold you back.”]
I’m going to create an online academy instead of a creative agency. I want to teach brand and content strategy. I had even considered creating a course on how to build your own digital agency (get clients, figure out pricing, write proposals, etc.), but I decided against it. I’m got rid of all the of the agency social media and kept everything under the Maya Elious brand. This is probably going to mean a couple months of a smaller income than the beginning of the year, but it’s all part of the process. Always respect the process. The same way people who leave their 9 to 5 to work for themselves have a small period of “struggle”, I have to go through the same thing. I’m no different than anyone. I’m going to put in the work and continue to serve my audience.
[Tweet “Always respect the process.”]
Are you running a business you don’t enjoy anymore? How will you transition into serving your purpose in a more efficient way?
THIS is exactly how I felt about my online shop! People thought I was crazy for closing it but I knew that I had to fulfill my purpose else where! I am so excited for you and can’t wait to see where God leads you next! *I wish I could put the praise hands emoji here*
That’s so awesome, Alisha! I feel like we’re on the same page (we both started around the same time. PS – thanks for supporting me way back when.) You know what’s funny? You rebranded Eclectic start to be cleaner with a whole new name. I did the same thing by changing Elite Graphics to BRNDWCH. While it was refreshing and kept me going for almost one additional year, I still wasn’t satisfied. I feel like you’re in the same place. 🙂
That’s so awesome, Alisha! I feel like we’re on the same page (we both started around the same time. PS – thanks for supporting me way back when.) You know what’s funny? You rebranded Eclectic start to be cleaner with a whole new name. I did the same thing by changing Elite Graphics to BRNDWCH. While it was refreshing and kept me going for almost one additional year, I still wasn’t satisfied. I feel like you’re in the same place. 🙂
I jumped over from my Feedly RSS just because I wanted to make sure I left you a comment. You hit so many nails on the head you can open a Home Depot. I really needed to hear the part about telling your story because that’s what your best audience wants and needs to hear. I’ve been trying to figure out who exactly I’m helping even though I know I’m helping someone. This might help me narrow that down.
HAhaha you are sooo funny, Andy! Thank you!!
Loved hearing more about your transition process! It’s tough because I too have been doing design for several years and there are certain aspects I dislike about it. So that’s why I’m trying to marry it with my passion (photography) to create unique services and offerings. Design is important but I’ve noticed the need for more people to be able to (DIY) do it themselves for whatever reason (usually budgets when first starting out). I see a huge demand for this growing. It’s one reason Squarespace does so well, it’s targeted for the beginner and is user-friendly. Can’t wait to see how your branding education with BRNDWCH and coaching services evolve!
Monica | monica-galvan.com
Thank you so much, Monica! Yes there is definitely a demand for DIY and you’re exactly right that SS is growing so much! I love the idea of adding an additional passion (photography) into your brand. Thanks so much for the comment and well wishes! Best of luck to you and your business!
Thanks so much Maya!
Hi I’m Regina. I started my business in designing and making clothes. just as you said I am no longer loving the work that I do. I am looking to transition into mentoring and coach as I love to teach I see that I have a lot to teach people about Style. I always get asked does this suit me and if I say not they ask why. I feel that alot of women need to be educated in this and learn how to look at themselves as a brand.
It’s awesome being in the business long enough that you can actually teach it. It allows you to make a bigger impact. 🙂
This is awesome. It seems that you have a faith background as well, which allows me to relate even more! Keep fighting the good fight and watch yourself soar to even HIGHER heights.
Thank you so much, LaQueasha! Yes I absolutely have a faith background. 🙂 Glad you could relate and thanks for the encouraging words!
I love your ability to move towards doing what makes you happy, even if you have moments of fear/doubt. That takes a lot of confidence and courage. It’s been great following you on your journey Maya because your story motivates me to follow my own dreams.
Thank you so much, Tiffany! That really means a lot, and I’m really glad that I can be an inspiration!
Congrats Maya! Your story is so inspiring and please know that you are helping alot of us out here continue to find our own purposes.
Great article! I’ve been struggling with this so I decided to put myself on a year plan to make the transition from working for someone else to full-time entrepreneur. I worried about being too old to do this and being the security of that check. But one day I woke up and said why am I living this woman’s dream and I don’t even like what I’m doing. Operation living my dreams is in full effect. 🙂
I love what you have to say and the spirit in the content. I found you via byReginia.com. I’ll be around for some time soaking up the gems.
I love your transparency and the story that you shared of your journey from starting to becoming. I truly believe that life is about adapting as you learn and grow. I look forward to seeing your growth!