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A friendly place to find help & encourage one another |
Let me start at the beginning. Not at the beginning of this blog. Not even at the beginning of this decade. I’ll start at the beginning of my career. Why? Because this is a journey that has been tragic and difficult, exhilarating and amazing. I want to start at the beginning, because I want you to see yourself in this post. I want you to come with me, because I want you to write a post like this yourself someday, too. (Oh, God, I’m crying already.)
When I graduated from college, I was living out of my truck in Colorado. I had no home, no savings, and was making about $75 a week. I was desperately depressed, 50 pounds overweight, and had just broken up with my college sweetheart who I was deeply in love with at the time.
I knew I was going nowhere. Then my heart said, “Move back to Arizona, where your college community is.” I dismissed it. But my heart persisted. I kept telling myself, “No, wait until the end of the summer, when you can save up money and get a place to live”.
My heart persisted. I gave in July 10th. I had $80 to my name. It cost me $50 in gas to get there. My first morning in Arizona, I went to eat at the Salvation Army. I decided I would never do that again (yeah, the food was just as bad as the hit to my pride!!). I went to the State Unemployment Office. I figured they would think I was nuts - my only work experience was as a waitress and as a whitewater rafting guide. I thought I was nuts - what the hell was I doing here with $30 bucks in my pocket, with no place to go, and no job prospects?
But that morning, I experienced a miracle that forever changed life.
The woman at the desk was nice. In fact, she was downright genuinely caring. I told her my story, and she went to the other side of the office. She came back with a piece of paper.
Then she said to me, “The Girl Scouts of America just lost a counselor at their summer camp two days ago. They have an urgent job opening which will pay you a weekly stipend, and they will also provide you room and board. Pending an interview, you can start tomorrow.” I got the job - and the roof over my head.
That experience taught me the most important life lesson I have ever learned - to listen to my heart.
- I listened to my heart when I started my first business as a single mom in my parents basement.
- I listened to my heart when I almost divorced my alcoholic husband, which was the catalyst to his recovery.
- And I listened to my heart when I quit my job last year to start this site, even though we would have to live off of our 401K to make ends meet until it started making money.
Today, I get to share my good news with you, which has been the culmination of this entire journey of listening to my heart into one of the biggest announcements of my career to date.
As of May 1, I will be launching a new blog called Inspired Business Growth with Entrepreneur.com as part of their new site for Women Entrepreneurs. I will be writing alongside four eight other extremely accomplished women as we discuss business building, entrepreneurship, work life balance, side businesses, and business after the age of 55. I’ll post a link to the actual blog any day now (it’s still a little dusty from construction!).
At this point, I want to acknowledge and thank each and every one of you. A successful blog isn’t a successful person - it is a successful community of smart people who know how to add to the conversation with great insights, great questions, and great blogs in their own right. An extra special shout out goes to Darren Rowse and Liz Strauss, who not only have been my own inspiration and virtual mentors, but were also extremely helpful in helping me navigate through the process of bringing this project to fruition.
eMoms at Home wouldn’t be what it is without you, and I look forward to continuing to contribute to your success with both of these blogs as you have to mine! Thank you!
congrats Wendy!! although I haven’t been here for a long time, I really have gained so much, thanks! u really deserve the success!
Wendy - a HUGE congrats to you on bringing your unique voice to Entrepreneur! I’ve already subscribed to their “keep me posted” list, and look forward to diving into the site once it launches. Thanks for being such a friendly and encouraging force in the blogosphere - you’ll soar at Entrepreneur!
Ohhhh…I’m sharing the moment with tears.
Congratulations my dear Wendy!
Wendy - what an amazing story you have! Congratulations and I look forward to adding your new blog to my daily reads.
You are truly inspiring!
Congrats, Wendy. Thanks for sharing your inspiring story.
Wendy, heartfelt congratulations to you. Hard work (and a little luck early on) pays off. Do what you love and success will follow. You’ve proved that true. I’m super happy for you. MOre good karma ahead.
Cheers,
Frank
Wendy,
I could not be happier for you, and I have no doubt that you will bring an enormous amount of drive, experience, and knowledge to the new project.
Congratulations!
Congratulations!! Such exciting news, gives me goosebumps - I can’t wait to read it!
I have to say I really understand what you’re going through. My fiance and I have a lot of issues we’re going to counselling for and part of it is support since he looks at my online things as little hobbies but I’m getting actual consulting jobs which get me like 2 grand for my first one. so i mean its not like its making pennies. i am not making a fortune i still have a lot of debt to pay off but its really hard and I just keep toting along and he’s starting to come around but its really hard to do things when you’re on your own. I get a lot of really good feedback on my blog and its the only thing I seem to have these days and it really makes a personal feel good. If it wasn’t thanx to my friend Amy who owns e-starr webhosting I wouldn’t have gotten back into the website thing. I just would have had my domain registration company and just whatever it made it made. since being back it boosted my sales and has given me a really great self esteem. People don’t understand how even “stupid little blogs” mean a lot to people and can help someone and it may not make a lot but they come around. I’m happy since my business is localized to where I live my name is getting out there and I am getting customers and eventually I’ll offer my services online off my website once my portfolio builds but. But its people like you that give me inspiration to keep tugging along. I love your website and I am so happy for you.
Wendy, this is remarkably inspiring! Thanks for having the courage to tell your story!
This is awesome, Wendy.
Not just the sharing…
Not just the story…
But the (sorry, Walt) ‘yawp’ that you’re sounding over the rooftops of your world, about the vital necessity of following your heart.
To this day, I have only one true regret in my life, and it involves a situation in which I knew to listen to my heart, but didn’t. It serves as a powerful reminder to me.
I also love the sound of the Inspired Business Growth blog (it should, since I’m all about inspiration…
). I think the world could use a lot more of what you’re bringing forward.
Thanks for sharing from such a place of tenderness, and congrats, again, on the new development. I can’t wait to see it!
Congratulations Wendy! What a fantastic achievement, and you certainly deserve it!
You are an inspiration to us all, that hard work and dedication really pays off.
congratulations Wendy - so pleased that this is finally coming to be!
Big congrats Wendy, well deserved and I’ll look forward to reading and learning from you somewhere else.
Wendy,
Thanks for sharing. You are a strong woman.
Congrats on joining entrepreneur.com!
Congrats Wendy! And thank you for sharing your story. It was very inspiring.
Congratulations. Talk about a rags to riches story. Well done.
Wendy,
Thanks for sharing your story and congratulations on your success. I too am wrestling with a heart/mind dilemma and your story is an inspiration to those in a similar situation.
Tony
Congrats and all the best Wendy.
I have a small nagging question to ask. What plugin you use to get that nifty cool smiley?
Congrats! You’re certainly an inspiration!
Wendy, thanks for sharing your story. It’s amazing to hear one of the steps that got you here. And I, for one, am happy you got here.
As Steve said, congrats on joining entrepreneur.com
What an inspiring story of your life! I truly believe that we all should listen to our hearts a lot more… that’s what I’m trying to do right now. I have quite a journey ahead of me but my goal is to be able to quit my day job and build my business so that I can be home with my kids when they need me. Good luck with the new blog!
Bev
Gosh, I must confess I am a first time reader and man did I pick a good first post. I recently started a blog and am really loving it… need to keep at it but man what a dream to be able to blog about things you love while being able to feed the family! Congrats. I look forward to reading you long into the future.
Fantastic story Wendy! Thank you, you’re a real inspiration.
What an unbelieveably inspiring story. Congrats on all your success and best wishes with your blog on entrepreneur.com!
Wendy, Congratulations on well-deserved success & recognition, exciting opportunities!! I’m so glad I found you here (Thanks, Darren R. at ProBlogger!), before you made this big leap into the blogosphere. I can say, “I knew her when…” I look forward to following you on this big adventure — You GO, Girl!
Congratulations Wendy. This is awesome news. You are truly an inspiration.
Good going wendy, can you explain what 401K is? I take it thats your savings or Im completely stupid
I’ve told my wife many times that she really should read your blog.
She wants to start, run and succeed in a home business and blogging, and, OMG that’s exactly what it says in your blog title (what irony!).
On top of that, your very good at what you do. She can learn a lot here (and now she could a lot at your NEW venture too!).
Congratulations!
It’s a wonderful, uplifting, and truly inspirational story indeed…
Proof positive that you should always follow your gut feeling…
I’m so very happy for you!
Wendy,
I couldn’t be happier for you. This is an awesome and very brave post.
I really needed to read this today. I guess you already know why, but sometimes the doubt can overcome you. I’m glad that you shared your story. It has given me the strength to keep going.
Scott
Wendy you are amazing!! Congratulations!!
I agree 110% with following your heart, there is simply no other way
Great story, hope you & hubby are still working it out. Glad you’ve directed your talents to helping others as you help yourself. Sometimes I feel like I’m just screaming into the wind when I write my feelings. I’ve had a few people read them but no comments have been forthcoming. It’s definitely a great release if nothing else. “The World is going to hell in a handbasket” is an old saying but never has it been more true than today. Enjoy life, be well. Goody
Sorry I’m a little late to the party but I’ve got a feeling this little celebration is going to be going on for quite a while
Congrats Wendy! I’m so proud of you! From Single Mom to Blogging Super Star — It just don’t get no bet’ah
Holy cow - thank you everyone for your well wishes and support! I’ve been away from my computer for just a couple of hours and to come back to this is quite wonderful - I might just have to have another teary-eyed moment here!!
And for those of you who have asked - I will still be writing here as well as for WomenEntrepreneur. In fact, I’m also launching a third blog on this site (I know. I’m nuts.). But with the increased workload, I’ll probably cut back down to one post a day.
Thank you again everyone - this is one of those times when I wish we weren’t in a virtual world and I could hug each and every one of you!
Congrats, Wendy! I look forward to seeing what else you add to the universe.
Laura
Very inspiring! Hey, I’ve got a secret to tell… Will email you later
Wendy, congratulations. I did see myself in that post. And I wish you the very best as you move forward making this world a smarter and better place with your verve.
Congratulations Wendy. All the very best.
Your story is truly inspiring.
:) Falkor
Congratulations on the new gig. That is awesome news. I will let my wife know about it as well.
All the best,
George
Wendy - When I first discovered your blog, I knew you were a special human. Your story confirms it. Thank you for the power of following your heart. Like Adam, I can list many places of suffering I caused my self by not listening and not having the courage to act. I will remember your story.
Wendy, thank you for sharing your story, how inspiring!! I came here by way of Darren mentioning you in “Leveraging Blog Profile to Open New Opportunties”. I had no idea that I was going to read what I just read.
I also have had those intuitions and when you follow them, they can truly “pay off”. Most importantly, you end up where you’re supposed to be.
I look forward to learning more about your experience, and what you have already done with your current blog. Thank you for the inspiration.
JoLynn
I’m so very pleased for you Wendy!
I’m late to the party on saying congratulations, but I’m saying it anyway!
Congratulations Wendy!
I can’t wait to meet you in May.
Congratulations on a new successful fork in the road!
Karen
Congrats! You definitely deserve it Wendy!
you must be flying high, my dear, on a cloud of being right where you are supposed to be. Couldn’t have happened to a better person.
big huge hugs!
Jessica
Congratulations ! Wendy, your story will definitely inspire many.
Wow, Wendy… I had no idea about your story. :O
You’re the best! And I mean THE best. That’s possibly the most insiprational blog post I’ve ever read. Good grief. I’m kinda lost for words!
Your strength and determination are an inspiration. Thank you for posting this - and for being so open about your long and difficult journey. It means a lot.
Hi Wendy
Thanks for sharing your brave story with us, it takes braveness to listen to your heart.
Looking forward to Entrepreneur.com (as business person of the female gender - female business blogger and female business novel writer) always looking for new entrepreneurial topics
Way to go Wendy! I’m VERY proud of you, and excited for you. You go girl! A more deserving person can not be found! Here’s to your continued successes!
Very Proud!
Gosh - thanks again everyone! I’m in a seminar all weekend with really sketchy internet connectivity - so every time I do get online, I come here to see all these comments and it means the world to me!!
Your story is great.
I think that is a great story. I am a guy (hence my name)
but I still feel it is great to see women find success with online businesses. I have been involved in the industry for the last year trying to help many single and stay at home moms try to create an income so they can spend more time with their family. Hopefully you will be able to give a lot to many women out there as you already have.
Congratulations Wendy! I’m so happy for you!!! What an inspirational post!
Wendy, congratulations! I read your heartwarming story (I first read about it at Liz Strauss’ site.) Thanks for being so willing to share it. I’ve passed the link on to my readers as well. Keep up the great job!
Nothing could make me happier than to hear this beautiful story and your next blog gig…AMAZING. You will continue to inspire and uplift an even WIDER audience, I’m so happy for you. Start Up Princess will be following your posts and linking lots, promise!
Great news!!