After getting divorced, Monica moved from New York to Utah with her three children. She arrived in Utah with literally no money, and nothing to her name but her children and the contents of two suitcases. She found a job working for a gift shop in the mall, and was able to provide for the basics.
But Monica knew she was capable of more. She was an amazing cook and loved everything to do with food and nutrition, and had always had a dream: to “love people through food,” as she puts it. Monica wanted to help people eat healthier, better-tasting food. However, she thought being self-employed or starting a business was risky. Everyone around her gave the standard advice to get a good job with good benefits.
Fortunately, Monica didn’t give up. She saw others doing what she wanted to do successfully, so she knew it was possible. She started by providing meals for individual clients (my 5 Day Weekend collaborator Garrett Gunderson was one of her first). Because she did such an incredible job, word quickly spread and Monica created enough relationships and gained enough clients to quit her other job and focus on her dream full time. One year after she quit her job she was earning her previous annual salary in eight days.
Monica and many others like her are living proof that it doesn’t take money to make money. What it takes is initiative, determination, and value creation. Money is nothing but evidence of value creation. It has no intrinsic value. It’s a representation of value exchange between people. It’s the product of solving problems and alleviating pain for people.
Never let the lack of money stop you from putting yourself out there and creating value. Everything you need to make more money is between your ears.
You don’t get paid by the hour. You get paid based on the value you bring to the hour. Develop more value to your hours.
In my next post, I explore the three types of capital you need to start a business and become an entrepreneur.
In the meantime, I’d love to hear your thoughts on people like Monica, who didn’t give up and who found that by doing something she loved, succeeded beyond her expectations. Thank you for sharing.
Secure your copy of the “5 Day Weekend” book. 5 Day Weekend: Freedom to Make Your Life and Work Rich with Purpose [Nik Halik & Garrett Gunderson]
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