One thing I would tell any new entrepreneur, particularly a woman starting her own business, is that relationships matter enormously.
Get involved in your community, pay attention to what is happening around you, and don’t underestimate the value of simply showing up. Over time, people learn who can be counted on, who does the homework, and who is willing to stay involved long enough to get something accomplished.
Just Show Up
Every day I learn the value of simply showing up in my professional life as well as my community involvement in Streeterville.
Closely tied to that is reputation. It takes years to build and very little time to damage, so protect it. Be dependable, be fair, keep your word, and remember that people notice how you conduct yourself, especially when things are difficult.
A strong reputation becomes one of the most valuable assets you have because it often opens doors before you need to ask.
Whether I was advocating with government officials, working on neighborhood issues, helping preserve pieces of our history, or participating in projects that added something lasting to the community, very little happened because one person simply had a good idea.
It happened because people developed relationships, found common ground, persisted, and learned how to navigate the people and institutions that could help make something happen.
The Power of Relationships
Some of what I’m most proud of has come from the relationships I’ve built and the work I’ve been able to do in my community. A business can give you a platform to make a living, but it can also give you an opportunity to make a difference.
That has been one of the most rewarding parts for me. I believe that is a pretty good measure of a successful career.
I would also advise caution and keeping an open mind about what success can look like. Your vision when you start out can become a very different picture in reality; if you are only focused on one outcome, you could miss countless opportunities that anyone would consider success along the way.
Keep An Eye Out for Opportunities
When I first got started, I was working for a developer and saw a great opportunity to expand both my income and my experience in real estate. I decided to take what I was learning and put it to work for myself, rather than continuing to build someone else’s business.
What started as an opportunity to grow professionally and financially eventually developed into a much deeper connection to the Streeterville community and the people who live there.
Owning a business also teaches you to make decisions without always having the benefit of knowing how they will turn out. You learn that not every opportunity is the right opportunity, that sometimes saying no is as important as saying yes. There is value in learning what works, but there is just as much value in learning what does not.