PIVOT!

Every five years or so, I get the itch to do something new.

It's not just a random urge, or business boredom. It's usually a deep, gut feeling that it's time to pivot.

The first time this happened, I was almost five years into my wedding rentals business. I spent my days working the floor of my showroom, talking to potential customers, telling people where the bathroom was, and answering the phone. Once the doors closed for the evening, I did the real work.

I took inventory, cleaned returned rentals, and issued invoices. I didn't go home. I didn't see my family.

I didn't make money.

That's when I decided to sell my rentals and focus on floral design, the one aspect of my business that always made decent money.

I threw myself full-force into florals. I had that gut feeling, and I listened.

Everything changed!

We started making money. I got to see my kids every day. I worked with clients I loved and had a life outside of my business for the first time ever.

Then we decided to add in wedding planning. I knew I could secure bigger budget brides if I caught them earlier in their planning process, and I'd already developed the necessary relationships with local vendors. I saw it was time to make a change, and we did!

A few years later came the biggest change yet. Education.

One cold February in 2017, I told my right-hand woman Kellie that I wanted to share my business story so I could help other entrepreneurs avoid the same mistakes I had made. I truly thought it would be a one-time thing. Little did I know that education would be the next best yes for the business, and that I'd find my calling: sharing my story and connecting with business owners so I could guide them through the tough stuff.

Even as I ventured into education, I told myself I'd never start a podcast.

There are way too many podcasts in the world already, I thought.

No one wants to hear me talk every week, I reasoned.

Do people even like business podcasts, I asked.

Well, let's just say it became very clear, through conversations with my followers, emails from you all, and that nagging gut feeling, that despite all the parts of me that said, "Please, not a Podcast!" that's exactly what I needed to do.

It was time to pivot, again.

I've become very familiar with that gut feeling that tells me it's time to embrace something new. I don't always like it, but I've learned to listen.

I think people can be confused when they feel like their interests are heading in a new direction. People may even say things to us like, "man, you really can't commit to a project, can you?" or "how can you build a business if you're constantly changing your focus?" or "when I was younger, people got jobs and stuck with them! They didn't just switch things up whenever they get bored."

And in some ways, each of those warnings is true.

It is dangerous to rely on motivation rather than commitment. When I've seen real results in my business (like making more $$, connecting with ideal clients, and helping entrepreneurs through education) it's been because I put in consistent effort, even when I didn't necessarily feel like it.

You can't build a business if you're constantly changing your focus. Your new ventures need to be aligned with your business and brand so you're not confusing a loyal audience. Good transitions require well-thought plans.

And yes, most people my parents' age did use to find a career and stick with it. My parents love me, but they definitely don't fully understand my job. And that's okay! Times have changed, and it’s okay to pivot your business as you follow continued growth.

Pivoting in your life and in your business isn't bad! It's how you grow. To catch my newest venture, tune in to the Zimmerman Podcast.