Increase in the Midst of a Pandemic
So LinkedIn just reminded me, it was my 1 Year Work Anniversary of launching my 2nd business for Business Coaching, Speaking, & Grant Consulting. Entrepreneurship may look glamorous, but I have learned a lot in the 3 years of becoming a Full Time Entrepreneur with Bri's Dance Place LLC & Brianna Hairlson.
Many don't know if you're new to my page, but I was laid off at 3 months pregnant from IBM as a consultant making very good money, after turning down a position that required full time travel. It wasn't my choice to become a full time entrepreneur, I even tried to go back to Corporate America and got hired at BET's Chicago office when my son was only 4 months old.
But God told me “NO!” and to open my dance studio in the most screwed up time (in my former perspective). I did not have savings to open a dance studio and had other obligations that required 2 incomes. Literally, I signed the lease on September 4, 2019 and my mom had a stroke on September 17th.
While I was doing the build out on the dance studio, I was with my mom some days 12 hours at a time while she was in rehab, not to mention Baby Paul was only 1 year old, and my husband Paul was still working full time shift work in the mill. Then she passed on December 11, 2019 and my dance students still had a performance on December 23rd. But God definitely gave me grace and I experienced joy through that season.
COVID came and my growing dance studio of 75 students dropped to 34! But God came through with grants, favor, and the art of the pivot!
So fast forward to the end of 2020 during COVID, my grant consulting business made more in 1 month of operation than the dance studio did when it opened! God knew I had to open my studio for it to be open and thrive during a pandemic and to receive over $50,000 in grants, services, and fellowships.
Follow my journey of applying for and RECEIVING over $50,000 in grants in 2020! This is my very first grant application video.
You can watch video updates throughout the grant application and award process on my Vlog!
These are the top 7 things I have learned as an Entrepreneur.
Listen to the Voice of God even if it makes NO SENSE.
How you serve others prior to opening your business is indicative of the success of your business. (Sow where you want to go) I volunteered dance for 7 years before opening my studio
Developing GREAT communication skills and systems are important so your business can run without you being there.
Bartering with other service providers will definitely save you money.
Don't despise any of the things that God has given you, because it will come in handy for your business (For example, I'm very direct, but that is needed for clarity and execution in my business)
NEVER compare your business to anyone else's. Everyone's purpose is different. God did not call you to compete, but to DOMINATE and there is food for everyone to eat!
God can accelerate your business in less time and with less effort.
If you made it all the way to the end of this update, Congrats!!
I want to help you find growth and success in your business. If you’re ready to take the next step in your entrepreneurship journey, here's a link to book your 1 on 1 coaching session to start or grow your business.
If you need to learn how to find and apply for grants, here are the Replays of my Grant Sessions to purchase!
