The Power of "Because I want to!"

Over the years I’ve had countless pieces of well meaning advice with regards to my business. Some I’ve taken, others I haven’t. 

But one thing I’ve developed over time is a filter; my own internal compass.
A sense of what will work for me, what might work but exhaust me, and what would be an absolute nightmare.

For want of a better name, I call it the “Because I want to” filter, and I want to encourage you to build your own.

I was once told I was “leaving money on the table” by not starting a Facebook group.

Apparently, it would help me nurture people, show my expertise and make them easier to convert into members.

Have you visited a Facebook group lately?? They are slowly becoming the modern day equivalent of the Salem witch trials!

So much noise, so much judgement, so much negativity, comparison and boasting. People are so scared someone will make them look silly, they post simple questions anonymously.. Or others who’ve created an anonymous handle just so they can reply with what they might think is honesty but is all too often offensiveness and judgement. 

People will “people” and Dog Grooming Facebook forums (& many others) have turned into a melting pot of insecurity and confusion. Yes, there’s the odd nugget of education and support visible, but not like there used to be. 

Times have changed and if you want a good dose of imposter syndrome and confusion with your morning cuppa, they are the place to head!

So, am I “leaving money on the table”, by not opening a public Facebook forum? Maybe. 

Do I care? Nope. 

My “because I want to” filter knows very well, running one would drain me. My energy is better spent with my paying members or people who know the answer to their problems does not lie on social media. 

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Another example..

I still groom. I still go to my salon and groom 1 or 2 days a week. I don’t need to, the membership could sustain me, in fact I'd probably be able to push the Academy to the next level a bit quicker if I dropped grooming. 

Dropping my salon time has been, (not so gently), suggested by my business coach as the next step to maximise Academy growth. 

But I groom, because I want to!

I’m not holding back in my coaching business, I’m not scared of progressing. I just know who I am and what I enjoy and I'm not willing to sacrifice that because it makes more sense on paper. I’m still moving forward continually with the Academy but it balances with my salon business without consuming it. 

I don’t need to explain to any of you the joy of grooming a well behaved dog. I grew The Grooming Goddess Academy because I wanted to help other female dog groomers get what I had!: A sustainable and enjoyable grooming business that they loved.

I’d be a bit hypocritical to walk away from mine just because I could.

I design my working week how I want it. I choose how I spend my time. Tell me, isn’t that why we build businesses? If we feel obliged to do certain things in our business or always “follow the money”.. We often forget to follow our heart, our energy, our enjoyment! So I groom because I want to! 

There are many other examples I could share, such as deciding not to be on every social media platform or turning down speaking gigs because I simply don’t want to go, but you get my point. 

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For groomers it can be choices like deciding not to expand or get staff because you love your own company, choosing not to add teeth cleaning, cats or other “add on’s”  or dropping those you have, because you find them boring or draining to sell. 

Basically…. knowing yourself!! Knowing what you enjoy and what drains you (energetically not just financially) and choosing your path accordingly. 

How do you establish this filter?? 

Well, this is where it gets harder..You establish it by trying things out!

Being brave enough to make mistakes and learn from them. Being honest enough to know what excites you and what feels misaligned. 

It’s not about simply saying “no” and sitting firmly inside of your comfort zone. Because, unfortunately,  your business does require you to get comfortable with some things that you won’t like, (the most common one among members of the GGA is showing their face online). 

It’s about not feeling obliged to always do the “done thing” in the industry. Knowing that just because everyone else is doing something, you don’t have to do it too.

And if that holds you back??

It's about being honest enough to know, it was your choice to do so. Personal accountability is a strength too few have!

I accept that there are things I could say “yes” to and they would boost me financially, but I still choose to leave them, as I know they would drain me in other ways. 

The power of “because I want to” (or don’t) , is why I built a business!!

The times I’ve forgotten that are the times I felt most detached from it. The times I resented it most. 

I don’t just follow the money. I follow the joy, the time, the fulfilment!

It’s a balance, but a possible one I promise. 

You can be financially sustainable (abundant even) and STILL build a working life you love! 

Job enjoyment and money are not mutually exclusive! 

Go and build a business that gives you that freedom! The freedom of being able to say “No” or “Yes” to whatever you want and know you still have enough. 

Go and be accountable for your own actions! That’s bravery right there! 

You can listen to advice, you can try things out! 

You can make mistakes, take U-turns and even have regrets, but by doing so, be safe in the knowledge you are developing your own “because I want to” filter as you go…!  

And there’s a future version of you that will thank you for it. 💕