Small Business Reflections: The Difference Between Being Self-Employed & Being a Business Owner

I’ve decided to begin sharing more posts which explore the “behind the scenes,” in regard to LIFE as the business owner of Lifted Naturals. I’ve learned so many lessons along the way and it feels selfish to keep them to myself. ;) So… let’s jump in!

Who Owns Lifted Naturals?

First to clarify, Lifted Naturals is a business owned by my husband and I. No outside investors, or team of directors, or decision makers. Just us.

And because of this, we will always, always, always, operate in terms of PEOPLE FIRST, profit second.

And, yet, that second part is important, too.

We have to profit as a business, or we won’t be able to stay in business.

And given that we now have thousands of customers who rely on our products, we take that job very seriously.

The Key Distinction I Learned from “Rich Dad, Poor Dad”

Ok, so, the very first small business reflection I want to share with you today is a very important distinction that I learned right before starting Lifted. (Thank goodness I learned it when I did. And I want you to know about it too!)

So, before I started Lifted Naturals, I was growing my practice as a life coach. And the thing is, that coaching business was really starting to grow. The importance of mindset, managing your mind, and understanding how feelings are created is HUGE for feeling your best.

But I found myself feeling tired by the amount of work required to keep my business up and running.

And around that time I stumbled on the book, ‘Rich Dad, Poor Dad,’ by Robert Kiyosaki.

One of the most important things I learned from that book came in the form of a diagram; something he called a “Cashflow Quadrant.”

The Power of The Cash Flow Quadrant (TM: Robert Kiyosaki)

If you take the time to study this quadrant (and everything Kiyosaki has to say about it), I think you will make leaps and bounds in your financial journey.

Why would a MOOD probiotic company care about your financial wellbeing?

Well, it’s quite simple.

In this modern world we live in, it really helps to have money.

You will probably have less stress if you have enough money (Studies show that).

You will probably be able to take better care of your health if you have enough money. (Studies show that too.)

And, yea, you’ll probably be better able to afford your daily MOOD probiotic dose, and maybe even throw in some Magnesium Complex if

Money isn’t everything.

You can be unhappy with money.

You can be happy with money.

You can be unhappy without money.

You can be happy with money.

Then, wouldn't you choose (best case scenario) to be HAPPY with MONEY?

Money is energy.

It’s simply a tool.

A magnifying tool.

It will amplify what is already there.

So, don’t you think GOOD people, with GOOD, BIG hearts and solid, loving INTENTIONS should be amplifying our impact?

I sure do.

Anyway…

Back to my main point. (I will explore why MAKING impact and making PLENTY OF MONEY is in your best interest in another post on another day).

The main point is: from that cash flow quadrant, I learned that while I thought I was growing a business, as a life coach, I was actually growing a SELF-EMPLOYED ENDEAVOR.

I had created a job for myself.

And learning about Kiyosaki’s cashflow quadrant really helped me to understand that.

Becoming a Business Owner

So, when I began to grow the Lifted business, I knew I needed to do it from the “right” side of the quadrant: I needed to set myself up as a business owner.

To clarify, there is nothing wrong with being self-employed, but it does not allow the same type of time freedom that comes with being a business owner.

And when it comes to living a life that feels authentic to my top priorities, time freedom hits very, very high on the list. It’s the foundation my entire life is built upon.

As a few of of my favorite sayings go:

You did not come here to pay bills and die.

If you win the rat race, you’re still a rat.

AND…

Do NOT die with your gifts all still inside of you.

xo,

Sylvia, Cofounder of Lifted Naturals