What freedom means to me

Posted on August 31, 2009 - Filed Under Uncategorized

freedomIn last week’s newsletter, I challenged our readers to think about the freedoms they enjoy as a result of their decision to start their own business. Cheryl Smeed of SmallBusinessCreation.com wrote such an eloquent reply, I had to share it with you all in it’s entirety. Cheryl, thank you so much for sharing your story and your wisdom – you affirm for me once again what a blessing it is to own your own business.

Here’s what Cheryl had to say:

I’ve run my own legal document preparation business for over 30 years. I began my career as a paralegal working for attorneys. I was even offered a full scholarship to law school by the large law firm I was working for, but I would have been stuck with them for over ten years and I could not face having them as co-workers, peers, and friends for the rest of my life. That law firm was huge and finessed monied clients. I knew that was not my purpose.

I wanted to do something for the “little guy” who couldn’t ordinarily afford or particularly need an attorney. So I checked all my state and local laws, hung my shingle as an “Independent Paralegal,” and have been helping people ever since. I can’t say our state bar association hasn’t tried to stop me, but thankfully, their attempts to wipe out the independents have not been very successful.

Although I help people with all types of legal forms preparation, my specialty is helping people start their own businesses. I do the incorporation, LLC, business plan, 501 documents for non-profits, and have also become a tax preparer. I’m not limited to my local area; I do this for people all over the country.

What I love most about my business besides empowering my clients is the freedom it provides. I had not taken a vacation for seven years because I was too concerned about all the money I would not make while on vacation in addition to what I spent on it. I finally came to realize after taking a few days to visit a friend in another state, that I was more effective having enjoyed some time away. Potential clients left messages (I had a vacation message on my voicemail) and I worked everyone in the following week. Yes, it was a busy week, but I had returned refreshed and far better able to handle the extra work, not to mention the money I made. I didn’t lose a client or a cent.

Now I take two or three vacations a year. I’m never gone for more than a week, but I’m taking baby steps. I’d love to visit family in England and I’d want to plan at least two or three weeks for that; so what if I lose a couple potential clients? There is nothing more valuable than expanding my knowledge, experience, and enjoyment of life, all made possible by running my own business.

Cheryl Smeed
Business Consultant
SmallBusinessCreation.com

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