This month is brimming with joy, and I can hardly contain my excitement. Why, you ask? Well, for starters, we’re almost at our 1-month milestone with our new baby girl Ava!
Rachel B. Lee and Baby Ava.
It’s also Entrepreneur Month! November is the month that shines a spotlight on the journey, and honoring the ingenuity and resilience that are the hallmarks of entrepreneurship.
I’m focusing on women entrepreneurs and how this month is a tribute to every woman who has dared to dream big and take the plunge into the entrepreneurial world.
Shutting My Corporate Laptop Down for a Final Time
My journey has been a rollercoaster, full of highs and lows. And it’s a journey that I love to share, especially with women who are at a career crossroads.
While I had worked incredibly hard and had amazing opportunities, I didn’t feel purposeful. I had many days of anxiety and heaviness in my heart — feeling unfulfilled by my job and guilty for not being grateful for all the goodness in my life. I knew something was missing.
So, this fearless ladyboss made the brave decision to leave an amazing corporate career. I wrote my very first Werk Your Brand Newsletter 2 years ago, check it out here where I share my story about leaving corporate and entering into entrepreneurial life.
It’s not a path that they teach in school or encourage in corporations because it’s a harder path. But I want to show you the magic that unfolds when you take that leap of faith and bet on yourself.
My First LinkedIn Live
2021 was my first LinkedIn Live, I was vulnerable and excited to share my story.
I started my career in corporate, where ambition can be both your best friend and your worst enemy. I climbed that ladder with a relentless drive, thinking I was on the fast track to success.
But then, reality check—I realized I was climbing a ladder that was leaning against the wrong wall. That’s when I decided to trade my corporate badge for the freedom of entrepreneurship.
That live stream was my “all-in” moment, out there for the world to see. It serves as a milestone, a marker of the day I chose to take control of my destiny. You can relive that pivotal moment right here.
Lessons Learned Through the Journey
Releasing and surrendering – these have been major lessons in my life, not just my entrepreneurial journey. I used to think the harder I work = more success. This led to burnout and unhappiness.
Being an entrepreneur has forced me to stop pushing and start allowing…
My IVF journey also was a big part of that. The more I tried to create a baby or the more I pushed hard to get sales, the less output I received.
So being a successful entrepreneur is having unwavering faith in yourself and trust in the universe. It’s being SO committed to your vision and your why. It’s a level of trust and surrendering I never thought possible and it’s so rewarding.
From Then to Now: A Journey of Leveling Up
Since going all-in as an entrepreneur, CMO of Standout Authority, and working on my own personal brand, the growth has been nothing short of phenomenal:
💜 Quadrupled my LinkedIn following (15,131 followers)
💜 Joined the elite Longhorn Business Network
💜 Became a top online marketing voice on LinkedIn
💜 Featured guest on several podcasts
💜 Lectured at Texas McCombs School of Business and Moody School of Communication
💜 Speaking engagements at over 20 high-profile events
💜 Launched my WYB Newsletter in July of 2021 and grew it from 0 subscribers to 4,000+ subscribers
💜 Partnered with BlueJeans by Verizon for half a year creating 3 virtual events together which included co-branded social promotions and email
💜 Became a marketing consultant with the The University of Texas at Austin President’s Office working on the first ever strategic plan to make the university the highest impact public research university in the world
From Then to Now: A Journey of Leveling Up
But it’s not just about me. StandOut Authority has been on a parallel climb. We’ve expanded our services to offer a full-fledged content strategy, and let me tell you, our clients are head over heels in love with what we deliver.
We also launched the Standout Authority Experience, which is another major milestone as an entrepreneur. It’s the brainchild of countless workshops, masterclasses, and late-night brainstorming sessions. Designed to scale and make an impact, this training program is already making waves, and it’s just the beginning.
Jessica Windham shares her feedback from the Standout Authority Experience
3 Insights for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
1. Embrace Your Unique Story
Your journey is your superpower. Don’t get caught up comparing your Chapter 1 to someone else’s Chapter 20. Each stumble and win are a building block of your unique story.
2. Consistency is Key
Take my newsletter, for example. It started small but has grown to over 4,000+ subscribers. The secret? Consistency. It’s not just a key; it’s the entire lock, door, and house.
3. Always Adapt and Learn
The entrepreneurial landscape is ever evolving. Adaptability and continuous learning are not optional; they’re mandatory. Whether it’s a business pivot or a new course, never stop learning.
Your journey is uniquely yours, and that’s something to celebrate this month. It’s not just about the destination but the journey and how you get to change the world on your terms.
Have you ever thought about diving into entrepreneurship? What’s keeping you on the fence? 💭
💥 Let’s face it, in today’s competitive online world, having a personal brand that truly stands out from the noise is essential.
And that’s precisely why I’m here to empower you with the tools you need to authentically showcase your expertise, build trust with your audience, and ultimately create a tribe of loyal brand advocates.
I’ve got 4 Steps to share with you to build your personal brand and learn how to differentiate yourself from the crowd and establish yourself as an authority.
Building your brand is uncovering who you are inside, make 2024 the year you shine. 💫
Download My Free Personal Branding Guide Here