Good afternoon everyone, and Happy February! With this being the first blog of the month, I wanted to share some strategies I plan on trying over the next few weeks to keep myself motivated and continue growing my business.
Mini Rewind Moment
It has been about a year and a half since I started my journey as an entrepreneur. I won’t go into all the details of what led me to this point (you can hear more about that in this podcast episode), but I will say this—when I first launched Annie Sharae Creations, I truly believed I had done my homework and was prepared. Spoiler alert: I was not. Fast forward to today, and I can confidently say that there is always something new to learn.
Seeking Out Opportunities to Learn and Grow
I have always been a naturally curious person. When I don’t know how to do something, my first instinct is to ask questions and research until I find the answer. This curiosity has been one of my biggest motivators in my entrepreneurial journey. The ability to seek out learning opportunities keeps me going, and it has led me down some incredible paths.
Just last month, I completed a business accelerator program that I discovered while scrolling through Instagram. I had been following several local business pages, and when I saw the opportunity, I knew I had to apply. That experience gave me a clearer value proposition and a deeper understanding of how to manage the back end of my business.
But learning isn’t just about consuming new information—it’s also about taking time to reflect. After completing the accelerator program, I gave myself a full week to process everything. I journaled about the other entrepreneurs in the class, the facilitators, the assignments, and the business plan I created. Taking that time to reflect made me realize just how much I’ve grown as a business owner.
Leading with Authenticity When Networking
Being an entrepreneur—or a creative—can sometimes feel lonely. That’s why building a supportive community is so important. However, not every person you meet while networking will be part of your journey long-term.
Authenticity is one of my core values, both personally and professionally. I’ve noticed that when I attend networking events, I naturally gravitate toward people who are passionate about their businesses rather than those who are just trying to sell me something. The individuals who genuinely love what they do and are willing to share their stories are the ones who continue to inspire me. Over the past year and a half, I’ve been fortunate to connect with like-minded creatives and business owners whose drive pushes me to keep going.
Looking Ahead
As I move through February, I am challenging myself to uplift the creatives and entrepreneurs I’ve met over the last year and a half. I plan to highlight their work on social media and recommend them when opportunities arise. It’s all about putting positive energy into the universe and trusting that it will come back in some way.
I’m also experimenting with my social media content this month. Since it’s Black History Month, I’ve been sharing posts featuring Black creators and business owners. Additionally, I have some content lined up to engage my audience more directly and boost overall interaction. I’m excited to see how these strategies play out and reflect on them at the end of the month.
What are some ways you stay motivated as an entrepreneur or creative? Let’s chat in the comments!