Looking Back: 6 Months as my own Boss

On August 15, 2016, I became a full-time network marketer. I decided to leave my safe job in Corporate America to become my own boss to take control of my schedule and my future.

In tears, I told my boss (via phone) that I had decided to quit my "safe" job and venture out as a full-time business owner. I was anxious, excited and slightly terrified. And a little over 6 months later, I still am still all of those things.

I am a full-time network marketer for Team Beachbody, but you can call me "Coach."

Team Beachbody is multi-level marketing (MLM) opportunity, part of a growing tiered-business trend reminiscent of the Tupperware parties and Avon sales of yesteryear. The MLM strategy revolves around self-employed "consultants" selling products while recruiting additional sales people working their "downline."

I became a Coach the end of 2012, but it wasn't until mid 2014 that I started to take this side business "seriously." My passion for fitness and sharing my success on social media was actually making me money. In 2015 I earned $49K while still working full time, and in 2016 I earned over $80K with my business. In both 2015 and 2016, my Team was ranked in the top 1% of all Beachbody Teams in the US and Canada (NOTE: An income is not guarentee with the Team Beachbody opportunity, it's up to the hard work of the individual).

In July I gave my notice, in August I officially became my own "Boss" and in September I moved to Dallas, TX, with my sister to test out living in a different part of the country.

Since then I've been figuring out how to balance work, life and travel. I wanted to share my experiences so far as CEO of Lipstick And Lunges.

What's your work week like?

It may look like I "play around" on social media all day. Yes, social media is a large part of my business; it's how I connect to potential customers, run my fitness challenge groups, and market myself. But there is a true method to my madness in what I share and post.

Every week I focus on the following: Connecting with new people, starting new conversations, getting new customers into my fitness challenge groups, mentoring my Team of Coaches to be successful and providing valuable content on my website and social media profiles.

Some days I wake up at 7 am, other days it's 9 am. It's been a struggle to have a set "schedule" for myself, especially since I've been traveling a lot more than when I was working my business on the side.

Either way, I spend anywhere from 4-6 hours a day working on my business (usually spread out). The workload tends to be lighter on Fridays (hello, 3-day weekend) and I will check in periodically on Saturday and Sundays. And sometimes there is an occasional afternoon nap if I feel like it ;)

All in all, a whole lot stressful than my former Corporate hours.

Do you miss working in an office?

Yes.

I struggled before with the "work from home" schedule when I still lived in Philly. It's not easy owning your own business while living in a new city, and being single. I have to come up with reasons to get dressed (or out of my workout gear, haha).

This is something that I'll always struggle with, but I'm getting better at in 2017.

How are you traveling so much?

The beauty of owning an online business, is that it can operate anywhere you have a WIFI connection.

One of the main reasons I decided to become my own boss was because my 10 vacation days a year wasn't cutting it. Before I went full-time, I was earning free trips from Beachbody and didn't have enough vacation days at my JOB to go on all of them!

Am I completely unplugging from work when I'm away: No. But it's a lot more flexible than if I was traveling with a "work from home" job. And I'm earning a residual income from mentoring my Team as they continue to grow.

Already lined up travel-wise for 2017: Las Vegas (x3), Jackson Hole, New Orleans, Bali. And maybe more!

So...you really make money doing this?

Partially covered this in my opening.....but the answer is YES.

Chances are you know someone who works in an MLM of some sort (whether it be fitness, shakes, jewelry, skin care). But my guess is, you have never met anyone who was able to do this full-time and earn a real income with it.

While no set income is guaranteed with this business (insert income disclaimer here), as I mentioned before I got to the point where I was very close to matching what I made in Corporate America. I love the fact that I have the levers to give myself a raise (and much more than I could give myself year over year).

Some weeks I have rocking paychecks. Other weeks there are dips. There are definitely highs and lows in this business, but at the end of the day I decided that the income earning potential is MUCH higher in this business than working for someone else. And my happiness and freedom is priceless.

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to start their own business?

Consistency pays off over time. And when you treat your business like a business, instead of a hobby, you'll get paid like it.

I'm excited to see how the next 6 months go in my business. I am forever thankful for the opportunity to live out my dream and design a life I didn't think was possible.

Are you looking to earn an extra income? Like to help people? Yearn to travel more? I'd love to chat with you more about what I do, and if you'd be a good fit for Team Lipstick And Lunges.