The Pesky Voice Of External Influence

⁠Someone once told me that a business isn’t considered a business until it’s incorporated.⁠

And I believed them right up until I received my incorporation papers last week. ⁠

Owning Your Instincts

I started AK/VA just under 5 years ago as a sole proprietor. Since then, the business has grown to a team of 10 VAs serving 80+ clients all over the world, operating at a 27% profit…..all without holding a piece of paper that reads “Ltd.”⁠

Lesson?

It’s your business and you get to decide what decisions are right for you to make and when you make them. ⁠

Everyone will always have opinions about how you should run your business. How you should scale. How you should find clients. How you should launch programs.

We live in a world fuelled by influence (even when it is good-natured) and comparison syndrome, and I think it can be easy to make decisions based on other people’s journeys. Especially when we see that influence all around us on social media.

And I’m not saying you shouldn’t listen to others’ opinions at all or completely disregard them. The lessons you can learn from those who have walked the path before you have immense value and can give you a good idea of the options you have.

But you know your business the best and you know what feels right. If something doesn’t sit well with you…there’s probably a reason.

It’s Your Journey

Your journey is yours to walk. The curves and bends and hills in your road are yours to navigate however you want.

I like to think AK/VA is where it is today because I trust my instincts, operate from a place of integrity, make decisions that are aligned with my values, and have gratitude for every step of the process (even the “terrible days”).