Hi

In September 2017 I set up The Savvy Corner. I cannot believe it’s been three years already! That is half of my entire corporate career. Yeah, I know. I didn’t stay long in the corporate world, but that is because I realised so early that I wanted to be an entrepreneur.

Was entrepreneurship how I imagined it to be? Honestly? No. I didn’t fully grasp what it would mean to work for myself when I started this journey and I don’t think anyone can (I don’t care how many books they read). Until you live it, there is no way to know.

Part of it is because everyone’s experience is different. From expectations to approach, progress, and results, we all have our own path of getting there. I also think that what we see on social media and what we read in books is not always an accurate (or complete) account of what is really going on.

Here is what I experienced that is hip and hyped about:

• Working from a fancy coffee house with other entrepreneurs
• Spending a month in a different country and not worrying about annual leave
• Waking up at 5.00 am and doing a lengthy morning routine
• Waking up at 10.00 am and taking the rest of the day off for self-care
• Posing for Instagram in a cool location

Here is what I experienced that is not hip and rarely talked about:

• Overworking
• Being overwhelmed by my clients’ problems
• Losing contact with family and friends for days/weeks because of a project
• Being frustrated with technology/myself/my clients/the world
• Making mistakes and having to pay the cost of correcting them
• Losing a client

Knowing what I know now, would I change it? No. Entrepreneurship comes with highs and lows, but it’s pushing me forward. To have better boundaries, be more efficient, question the effectiveness of my actions, adapt and grow.

I don’t want to sound negative, not at all. I am so proud to celebrate my three-year anniversary and I am grateful to be my own boss. My business is evolving, and I’ve got some exciting projects happening in the next few months and in 2021. I work with some amazing people and I love seeing their financial stories change for the better as a result of our work together. I’m expanding my portfolio and my reach.

This is the glamorous part of entrepreneurship, the part that everyone talks about.

What happens behind the scenes is not always roses and rainbows though, and I want to be open and honest with you about that. These last three years have not been easy and I couldn’t have done this on my own.

I am grateful to all the people who supported me on this journey and that includes you, . Thank you for being here, for your interest in my work and what I have to say, for reading this email. It means more to me than you can imagine.

Before I get teary-eyed, happy 3-year business anniversary to me and here’s to many more amazing years to come!

Cheers!

Alisa x