A MICROENTREPRENEUR'S CODE
THE HEARTFELT POWER IN THE RESOURCEFUL SMALL
"I would rather receive a dollar each from one hundred people than a hundred dollars from one." (from the thoughts of Miss Wendy)
For me as a micro-business of one, I do not view business as "war." I have not the remotest of interest in " competition" or in "crushing" such. This is a particularly noxious Western concept (particularly my own nation of USA). I create, I do not compete.
I do not aim at attracting business from all four directions. I seek those I feel a kinship with and can reasonably provide a small service, my writing and empathetic gifts.
A microentrepreneur finds rewards in the small, in the seeds planted. Seeds can be literal seeds, they can be words, they can be a smile of kind encouragement to the brokenhearted, including yourself. Being a tiny business of one or a small handful, you likely do not resonate with the corporate mindset. You learn quickly to respond to positive opportunity and to offer the humble Servant's Heart template as you go through your life.
I personally do not seek “things”, including mansions, luxury cars, more and more heavy stuff. I want to feel light and able to move about the world (not literally, I am a hermit of sorts!)
A microentrepreneur is a farmer of sorts, a planter of goodwill and blessings. Because you function at a smaller level, a micro-level, you learn quickly to become very resourceful. ( I learned that quite viscerally when living for 31 years in San Francisco!!) Tiny gestures, including marketing that may just be a basic business card or simple flyer describing your work and services, a one page landing page, make a big difference to people who may be overwhelmed by the PUSH to BUY BUY BUY. Especially in this Christmas season, the pressure to buy is almost too much. I do understand the needs of businesses but I get weary of all the pressure to buy what I likely do not need. All the pressure for GIFTS is too much. Make your sincere “pitch” and then back-off and allow people to simmer. Service is a gift, kindness is a gift, a sincerity is a gift, prayer is definitely a gift. Taking the weight off someone for an hour or an afternoon or a day, that is a huge gift.
I have no problem with " higher education" but my own education runs more along the lines of " learn by doing and avoid that dang pothole...again". I have the hard-earned eternal street smarts, which I would trust over a college degree alone, any day. Was it Mr. T. Edison who mentioned something about not having failed but just found thousands of ways that did not work? Now that, to me is a microentrepreneur mind set. One down, one thousand to go. Yes, tough to do but you can stumble forward anyway. I am actually a master at PLODDING.
The mental and emotional state is so crucial and one I especially struggle with. This is why I am still learning, stubborn girl that I am at age 71, 2023, to simply set down my fencing (AKA arguing!) sword and simply partner with God, Who actually knows things. Please note this is from the Wendy E. Williams acclaimed School of Hard Knocks, volume 999,999.
Here are some hard-won things I have learned over the years about micro business:
**Be resourceful in the gap. Opportunity may be in the nearest muddy pile, in most excellent disguise!
**Forget perfect! ( I struggle dearly with this concept…)
**Baby steps actually do add up
**Partner with God and quality others He guides you to
**Have joy in your work, shine with what you love
**Stick together, help one another through the rough times
**Have tiny goals in order to see some victory
**Have some joy in your work, shine in what you love
**Be genuine and authentic in your work, people can smell a phony
**Seek customers or assignments with people you resonate with. Don't work with jerks!
**Be humble but not a doormat
**Lend some support for free. Plant mustard seeds and water with tears
**Be flexible but not too "bendy".
**Simplify your life, have less "stuff", travel lighter
**Ask for help..."seek, ask, knock", as Jesus Christ said!
**One single day at a time
**Avoid debt as much as you can
**Remain humble, as you never know with whom you might be meeting ("angels, unawares")
**Resist "competition" but rather focus on your good work in front of you, not keeping up with others. Yes, you can seek to improve, etc. but not with focus on others’ things
Blessings and a big hug to all struggling tonight, with building a tiny business. Use the gifts and talents God gave to you, one day at a time. Ask Him for help, seek His counsel, keep your heart and spirit clear and LEAN ON HIM.
He created the Universe...so I guess He knows a few things about running a business, small or large.
Merry Christmas,
Wendy Elizabeth Williams December 15, 2023