You Don’t Have To Be An Entrepreneur to Be A Boss Babe
Over the past few months, many people have decided that they no longer want to overwork themselves for companies that do not have their employee’s best interests in mind and have begun leaving the corporate America bubble to work for themselves. However, as someone who enjoys their employee benefits and who enjoys what I do, this newfound wave of entrepreneurship just isn’t for me and I don’t believe everyone is meant to be the boss. Running your own business is more than just “setting your own hours” and “making your own rules.” Research from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that approximately 20% of small businesses fail within the first year, 30% within the second year, and almost 50% within five years. In the span of a decade, only 30% of these businesses tend to prosper. That means that if 100 businesses were started in 2021, by 2031, only 30 will still be around. This goes to say that starting your own business isn’t for the faint of heart.
For those of us who don’t want to jump in the entrepreneurial wave pool, here are some alternative ways to boss up:
Do some freelance work: What is a skill that you do effortlessly? Whether it be copywriting or creating budgets, find companies or people that will pay you for that skill!
Educate yourself: Go back to school, get certified in subjects that would help you do your 9-5 better, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by learning something new.
Find a new hobby: Everything does not have to be monetized. Part of being a boss is having the time to do things that genuinely just make you happy or keep you relaxed. Start painting, find a new book to read, try rock climbing!
Prepare yourself for the next level: If you enjoy climbing the corporate ladder, take the time to figure out what skills and projects you need under your belt to elevate. Oftentimes it is easy to get stagnant and caught in the hamster wheel of a 9-5 that we forget that we should use every day as an opportunity to learn what we need for the next level. Ask more questions, be more attentive in meetings, set up a time with your boss to go through your goals and growth areas.
Just be: Existing as a Black woman in America is an accomplishment in itself. I know it is easier said than done but don’t let social media or society make you feel like getting up every day and making things happen isn’t enough. Paying your bills, loving yourself, and being the best you that you can be is true boss babe behavior.
-Aleisha Baker