A Story of David

As if we haven't had enough on our plates lately, two weeks ago David got a crazy phone call. A phone call with a possible job proposal attached.

In case you didn't know, David graduated with his masters in Geography this past June. He applied for job after job. We moved back to our hometown so he could be in a better location to apply for more jobs after jobs. Nothing ever happened. Not a peep.

So, this past December we teamed up and opened Indie Spaces. As true creatives we vowed that if he couldn't get the job he wanted, then we'd make a job he wanted. He became master of operations at the space. And he likes it.

Then, right before we opened the space, lo and freakin' behold, if he didn't get a letter in the mail saying he was a potential candidate for a job about two hours south of here. The letter asked if he was still interested.

To curb his curiosity, I encouraged him to sign it and send it in. I mean, what were the chances that out of 200+ job applications, the one he is a "real" candidate for ends up being an offer.

Another lo and freakin' behold later, he gets a phone call for a face-to-face interview. I almost died.

Last Tuesday David went for a drive down to Birmingham for the interview. It was a GIS job in a field that David believed in. He'd have the chance to use his degree, could make an impact on the environment, and since it was a government job there'd be a pretty good 401k plan attached. Pretty sweet deal.

But, in the 3 months that we have dedicated to Indie Spaces, David's become an independent entrepreneur. A creative at heart. And when all was said and done, he turned it down.

A Mission for You

You see, as an entrepreneur, just because you can do it all, doesn't mean you should. It's a conversation that I've had with many clients, and have recently had with almost every entrepreneur that walks inside the door of Indie Spaces.

It's ok, and actually pretty necessary, to sometimes say no.

And I've said it before, and I will say it forever, a jack of all trades is a master of none.

Just because I can do stand-alone branding, blog, and print designs doesn't mean I will. I will tell you no.

"But won't I lose clients/opportunities?"

Well, yes. Definitely. But what you gain is expertise; a way to better serve your dream customers who actually want what you have to sell.

"Won't the clients I turn down lose respect for me?"

On the contrary. I find they respect me more, for doing exactly what I want, and not just trying to make a buck off any project that comes my way. And when they meet someone who is looking for what you're selling, guess who they'll refer them to? You. And all because you've got your head on straight, honey.

And, I respect myself more, which is just as important. Don't you think?

Celebrating Saying "No"

Everytime I tell a potential client "no" I do a little happy dance. My pals over at Braid write it on their wall. When David turned down the job I gave him a big fat high five.

Being able to, and having the balls to, say "no" is just another characteristic in making a successful independent entrepreneur.

Need help saying "no"? My pals over at Braid are teaching an eCourse soon on Dream Customer Catching, and I encourage you to check it out. Smart ladies, those two.