Balanced Black Girl Podcast Summary
Episode: What I Learned After A Year of Entrepreneurship [Solo]
Release Date: December 17, 2024
Host: Les, Balanced Black Girl

1. Introduction and Background

In this introspective episode, Les, the host of Balanced Black Girl, delves into her transformative journey over the past year as a full-time entrepreneur. Transitioning from a 13-year-long corporate career, Les shares the motivations, challenges, and triumphs that have shaped her path towards building a sustainable content creation business.

Les at [00:15]: "In December of 2023, I left my corporate job to do content and to do Balanced Black Girl full time."

2. Journey to Entrepreneurship

Les provides a comprehensive overview of her career trajectory, highlighting her consistent efforts to transition from corporate America to full-time content creation. Starting as a wellness and fitness blogger in 2014, her goal was always clear: to create content that would eventually free her from the confines of a traditional 9-to-5 job.

Les at [02:30]: "From day one of me starting my blog, my intention was to do content full time."

Throughout the years, Les pivoted between blogging, social media influencing, and podcasting, steadily building her brand and audience. This decade-long journey, marked by numerous pivots and reinventions, underscores her resilience and commitment to her vision.

3. The Good: Benefits of Entrepreneurship

Les highlights several positive aspects of working for herself, emphasizing the alignment between her inherent work style and the demands of entrepreneurship.

a. Autonomy and Flexibility

One of the standout benefits for Les has been the freedom to design her own schedule and work environment. This autonomy has not only enhanced her productivity but also allowed her to integrate personal routines seamlessly with professional responsibilities.

Les at [05:10]: "I am very good at keeping myself accountable and working with some independence and some autonomy."

b. Unlimited Earning Potential

Transitioning from a fixed corporate salary to owning her business has opened doors to unlimited earning potential. Les appreciates that, unlike corporate settings where salary increments are often capped, entrepreneurship allows her to scale her income based on her efforts and creativity.

Les at [12:46]: "Not having a ceiling to what I can achieve or what I can earn is super, super motivating for me."

c. Personal and Professional Growth

Les has experienced significant personal development, particularly in business leadership and strategic decision-making. Running her own show has enhanced her executive presence and deepened her understanding of business operations.

Les at [14:50]: "A lot of my own personal development this year has focused more so on growing as a business leader."

4. Achievements and Successes

Over the past year, Les has celebrated several milestones that have solidified her confidence in her entrepreneurial journey.

a. Financial Milestones

A notable achievement was paying off her student loans two years prior, a feat made possible through disciplined budgeting and the income generated from her content creation efforts.

Les at [15:30]: "Two years ago, I paid off my student loans, which was a lot of money."

b. Live Events and Audience Engagement

Les organized her first live event in October, which, despite initial miscalculations regarding ticket sales, turned out to be a resounding success. The event not only strengthened her bond with her audience but also provided invaluable insights into audience engagement and event planning.

Les at [19:45]: "It was really beautiful and worked out, and it was lovely for everybody who got to be there."

5. Challenges Faced

No entrepreneurial journey is without its hurdles, and Les candidly discusses the obstacles she encountered during her first year.

a. Health Setbacks

Shortly after resigning from her corporate job, Les fell severely ill, which delayed her transition into full-time content creation. This unexpected setback forced her to postpone her plans and recover before fully committing to her new venture.

Les at [26:00]: "I was so excited to hit the ground running and I was in bed sick with a horrible fever and couldn't get out."

b. Difficulty in Securing Management

Les faced significant challenges in acquiring new management after parting ways with her previous team. Repeated rejections and ghosting from potential managers and agencies tested her resilience and commitment to her entrepreneurial path.

Les at [31:20]: "I was rejected by every single agency. I was rejected by every single manager."

c. Balancing Personal Privacy with Being the Product

As a content creator, Les grapples with the expectation to reveal personal struggles to maintain relatability. She expresses the difficulty in balancing authenticity with the need to protect her mental well-being.

Les at [37:49]: "People seem to care so much more about who they think of who's behind it than they even do about the quality of the product."

6. Lessons Learned and Takeaways

Reflecting on her experiences, Les shares several key lessons that have shaped her approach to entrepreneurship.

a. Importance of Financial Planning

Les emphasizes the significance of building a financial cushion during prosperous times, which provided stability during her initial challenging months as a full-time entrepreneur.

Les at [21:10]: "I was able to save a lot, and I saved a lot personally and I saved a lot in the business."

b. Adaptability and Resilience

The ability to adapt to unforeseen circumstances, such as her health issues and managerial setbacks, has been crucial in sustaining her business during tough times.

Les at [24:35]: "Those moments don't last forever. And they're hard when you're in them and like, let yourself feel what you want to feel, but they never last forever."

c. Redefining Success and Boundaries

Les recognizes the need to redefine her relationship with her audience, setting healthy boundaries to protect her personal life while continuing to provide valuable content.

Les at [35:00]: "I want to have a season of just being a little bit more silly and focusing more on joy."

7. Future Plans and Aspirations

Looking ahead, Les outlines her aspirations to expand her entrepreneurial endeavors beyond content creation. She envisions launching sister brands and offering products that resonate with her audience without compromising her personal boundaries.

a. Launching "Spacious Rituals"

Les introduces her upcoming brand, Spacious Rituals, aimed at providing tools to help individuals create more space and balance in their lives. The first product launch includes 2025-dated planners designed to support her audience's organizational needs.

Les at [45:20]: "Spacious Rituals has been an idea on my heart for a really long time where I have a brand that is like a sister brand related to Balanced Black Girl."

b. Transitioning to a Founder Role

Encouraged by conversations with fellow entrepreneurs, Les aspires to transition from being a content creator to a founder, focusing on building and scaling businesses that offer tangible solutions to her audience.

Les at [38:25]: "You could grow a lot more if you did share more of that or if you did get a little bit messy or if you did share your messy Pisces man stories."

8. Conclusion

In wrapping up the episode, Les expresses gratitude for her journey and the lessons learned over the past year. She remains optimistic about the future, eager to implement her newfound insights and continue evolving both personally and professionally.

Les at [47:50]: "I've had some wins, I've had some losses, but I'm so, so grateful to be here a year later, even being able to have this conversation with you and still able to do this show and create content full time."

Les encourages her listeners to stay connected through the show notes, emphasizing the importance of subscribing to stay updated with future episodes.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• [00:15]: "In December of 2023, I left my corporate job to do content and to do Balanced Black Girl full time."
• [05:10]: "I am very good at keeping myself accountable and working with some independence and some autonomy."
• [12:46]: "Not having a ceiling to what I can achieve or what I can earn is super, super motivating for me."
• [15:30]: "Two years ago, I paid off my student loans, which was a lot of money."
• [19:45]: "It was really beautiful and worked out, and it was lovely for everybody who got to be there."
• [26:00]: "I was so excited to hit the ground running and I was in bed sick with a horrible fever and couldn't get out."
• [31:20]: "I was rejected by every single agency. I was rejected by every single manager."
• [37:49]: "People seem to care so much more about who they think of who's behind it than they even do about the quality of the product."
• [35:00]: "I want to have a season of just being a little bit more silly and focusing more on joy."
• [38:25]: "You could grow a lot more if you did share more of that or if you did get a little bit messy or if you did share your messy Pisces man stories."
• [47:50]: "I've had some wins, I've had some losses, but I'm so, so grateful to be here a year later, even being able to have this conversation with you and still able to do this show and create content full time."

Final Thoughts

Les's candid reflection provides valuable insights into the realities of transitioning from a stable corporate environment to the unpredictable world of entrepreneurship. Her experiences underscore the importance of resilience, strategic planning, and maintaining a balance between personal well-being and professional aspirations. As she looks forward to expanding her entrepreneurial ventures, Les remains a source of inspiration for aspiring content creators and entrepreneurs seeking to forge their own paths.