Last year I was interviewed by my friend and fellow St. Augustine local Kelly Youngs, for a podcast she hosts as a part of her organization, She Is Fierce – a global women’s network that connects established leaders and women on the rise to give them the tools they need to follow their dreams.  Kelly and I met early on in her venture and my magazine, St. Augustine Social has featured her in several stories while we watched her events and initiative take the local women’s business community to new heights.  So… you can imagine my excitement having the tables turned and to find myself seated in the interviewee’s chair for a change.  Any chance I get to level with other business owners and also share my personal journey, I enjoy.  After listening to the podcast this afternoon, 4 things stuck out to me that I want to make sure you know…

1 – You don’t have to use your degree now.
On the day I left my job at Debbie’s Day Spa before my big move to Atlanta and our upcoming wedding, Andrew sent me flowers with a card that said “Happy Retirement”  Ha! Honestly, I was ready for a break, but I had an overwhelming feeling that I needed to contribute to our household and guilt that I would be wasting all the money I spent on college by not diving head first into my next career move.  Looking back 12 years later I just want you girls to know – that is B.S.  It’s okay to take a break. Some of the most amazing, influential women of our times did their best work in their 40s,50s and 60s!!!! Don’t rush it!  Have kids while you’re young and have energy.  My 37 year old self currently chasing a 4 year old has a lot of experience in the field of exhaustion lately.

2 – Ask yourself if it’s worth it.  
I think we live in a world that over glamorizes the hustle and #girlboss movement of our time.  My fear is this leads women down a path of entrepreneurship that will take their time, treasure and talent away from their already busy lives, but doesn’t guarantee the financial win fall they’ll be expecting because of the filter of Instagram. Time is our most valuable resource that you can never get back.  Protect yours with extreme ferocity. Before you venture into a good idea, ask yourself if it’s worth your time in the sort and long term.  Do the math, twice.  Andrew always says to me “Just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should” and I wholeheartedly agree. Edit and choose wisely when it comes to your time.

3 – Do not, whatever you do, compare yourself to others. 
There will always be someone better than you, more experienced than you, prettier than you and skinnier than you.  So trying to catch up or keep up is pointless.  Put blinders on, keep your head down, drive in your own lane and know this world is incredibly abundant. There is room for all of us.  Don’t compare yourself to your competition, it will only make you resent them and feel worse about yourself.  My friend Mandy Kellogg Rye said it best “I’ve never had to unscrew another woman’s lightbulb in order to shine.”  Amen.

4 – It takes time to become a good manager. 
This is the number one best lesson I have learned in my 10 years running our company.  No matter what school of business you attended or not, no one starts off as a perfect manager.  It takes time, trial, and error to establish the perfect system and tact for managing people. Don’t hate yourself for the mistakes you will make. Be humble and honest with your team and learn from every hiccup you encounter.

To listen to the full interview, click the picture below. And, LOL pay special attention around the 19:29 mark for a surprise guest. 😉