Last month I asked for all you single lady YFE’ers out there to send me something along the lines of “a day in the life of a single, young, female entrepreneur.” I recently received this very honest and empowered post from Laura. I think everyone can relate to her in some way. Be sure to get in touch with her if you have questions, are in need of a little boost, or would like to commiserate or celebrate together. Cheers!
First of all, a little about me. My name is Laura and I’m a 25 (soon to be 26, yikes!) year old small business owner and inventor. I started my company, Thikket, to support my various ventures in the technology and outdoors sectors. I am currently in the process of patenting a device that will facilitate outdoor restroom use for hikers and backpackers, particularly women. A strange niche, but it’s definitely been an interesting journey. I live in St. Louis, MO and enjoy candlelit dinners, long walks on the bea…oh, wrong profile. Actually, I’m a big fan of networking, intelligent conversation and dry/sarcastic/inappropriate humor (among other things). I can be reached on Twitter @STLStude, LinkedIn at http://www.linkedin.com/in/lstude or at my blog, www.thikket.com.
Now onto the good stuff. As a newly single lady who recently started a business, I don’t see myself as having challenges any different from a married/in a relationship business owner. I’ve made an attempt to provide some insight below:
Financial stability: I think this is a cloud that looms over the head of any business owner, single or otherwise. Just because a woman is married with a rich husband doesn’t necessarily mean she’ll have the financial support or stability she seeks for her business. I have a “day job” that gives me added financial support, but I also have a lot of savings that I’ve been able to dip into when needed. My day job motivates me to work harder on my personal business because I definitely don’t want to be a corporate drone forever. In order for me to make quitting and doing my own thing a reality, I need to save my pennies to build a solid foundation for my business’s future.
Dating: I definitely have time to date, I’m just at a stage where I choose not to. Right now, my business is my boyfriend. Any additional time is spent with friends enjoying the freedoms that come with being in your 20′s. When I do meet guys and tell them about my entrepreneurial endeavors, they generally find it really interesting. Then again, I think many of them are interested because they like the idea of potentially having a sugar mama – so much for traditional gender roles!
Additional expenses: See above about my day job and savings. I realize these “luxuries” aren’t afforded to all budding entrepreneurs, but I am extremely fortunate to have both.
Health: I cook healthy meals almost every night for myself – after a good workout, of course! Cooking for one is annoying sometimes, but not having to cook for more means I can spend less time planning the meals or worrying about how they taste! I try to stick to my nightly routine: 1) workout 2) nice dinner 3) business. 1 and 2 are essential to my happiness and well being and I’m more likely to be motivated to do work if I’m in a good mood.
For me, my family and friends are my biggest, greatest support systems. They encourage me just as much, if not more, than my ex-boyfriend did, and are always willing to lend an ear or read my blog when no one else will. I’m truly thankful that they encourage and believe in me and definitely wouldn’t be where I am today without them.
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