As I sit here at work counting down the days until I leave. I think about the many people before me who have more resources and safety nets than myself who are able create businesses knowing if it doesn't work out or they do not earn enough they have funds in the bank or a family that will float them until they are able to make the business viable.
I do not have such things. I have this one chance to make this work and build something that helps others and that I am proud of, that could in time provide jobs for others. The scary part isn't failing it's creating something that will have a positive impact on others allowing them to have a better quality of life, autonomy, independence, hope and joy. This isn't something I take lightly.
I have struggled to find examples of women in the same position as myself; a solo parent of two young children and one adult child, quitting their job to build a community and therapeutic services for women and eventually adolescents and children. With no cash in the bank and no financial, physical, emotional or mental support from relatives.
I don't mind trying to be the example so others have a route to take to reach their goals. I will do my best to document the journey as transparently as possible. There maybe some emotional times ahead but I am so confident in myself, my skills, my lived experiences, my determination to make this happen and ability to learn the things I do not know.
We all know the worst that could happen but I choose to focus on the best that can happen. I can clearly see myself sat in the village at the firepit surrounded by women from the community laughing, enjoying the company and the life we have created in a beautiful setting that expresses our individuality and collective energies.
I imagine the village being so successful that I go on to build other villages in different locations. Imagine a village in Kenya, Spain, Brazil, or Thailand run by local women and the ability to do house swaps so not only is the place you live a proper community, there is the opportunity to go and stay in another country but stay in another village where the women there can welcome you in, show you the non tourist places to go, giving you an authentic experience of that place with a native guide. This keeps travel more affordable as you'll only be paying for your travel, food and the village guides. If the women in the community would like to be a local guide, or run a workshop or experience for the women from others villages it could be a source of income for them.
I see the hub with the weekly independent market full of female owned/run businesses giving them a physical space to sell and promote their businesses. The cafe with a late licence so I can host community events, music, comedy, arts and performance events. It would serve seasonal food from the community garden.
It's on my mind ALL THE TIME. I won't rest until it has become reality and even then I probably won't rest as I'll be looking for ways to improve the community and help others.
To think out there right now are people I don't know who are about to become integral parts of my life, the community and this whole journey. Someone right now who has no clue who I am or what I am trying to do is going about their day unaware of the positive impact they are about to have. How exciting is that?
Can I be the example of how to go self employed and build a successful business? Only time will tell. Success to me is having an income that allows me to pay bills comfortably, invest money, add to my pension, add to an adventure fund, allows the kids to have an extra curricular activity and hobbies they enjoy and for me to have the same. The ability to employ help such as a house manager and cleaner.
Keep the hub and community running smoothly, making women feel seen, heard and cared for while teaching important life skills and spreading joy.