Authentic Entrepreneurship

BY AMY LLOYD

Do you want to do what you’re doing right now, 10 years from now?

This question hit me like a ton of bricks one morning while I was living in San Francisco, getting ready to go to work (listening to a podcast, naturally). I was an executive at one of the largest, most famous, prestigious media companies in the world — a dream job.

I had worked my butt off, paving the way with long hours, earning promotion after promotion, making a great income. I owned two homes: one in Los Angeles and another in my home state of Washington. I had climbed the mountain with a never-say-die attitude, until I found a place of financial reward and social acceptance by all outward appearances. I did everything on my own and I had "made it," achieving all I had said I was going to do and more. HOW AMAZING, right??!!!

For a little while, sure.

Once I had officially “arrived,” I kept looking around waiting for that big curtain moment, the hero applause, the big acceptance speech I had prepared in my many journal entries — anything really! I had arrived, so where was everyone? And now what?

A little voice kept taunting me. “What are you still trying to prove — and to whom?”

It was then that my real journey began. It had all of the cliche elements, like a solo trip to Bali to find myself (thank you Elizabeth and Julia!). I consulted with traditional therapists, nontraditional therapists, coaches, Reiki healers, you name it. Then I did the unthinkable. To the shock of my parents, and really everyone in my life, I gave it all up.

I quit!

Creating a Life I Truly Wanted

One day, with all the clarity in the world, I gave notice, left no room for negotiations, and with no job and no savings to speak of, I took the biggest leap of my life, and I took my ego along for the ride. It hurt at times — ouch! — but it was that next-level commitment I needed, if I was ever going to create the life I truly wanted.

“Be yourself, everyone else is taken” – Oscar Wilde

I was ready to figure out what was on the other side of the golden handcuffs.

Getting There

I talk about it now as if it was easy. But that’s because the hardest, scariest part is done, and it certainly wasn't "easy."

For the sake of time or other unconscious reasons, it’s convenient to leave out the ugly, lonely, vulnerable, crying-in-the-middle-of-the-night, "what the f*ck am I doing?!" and "will I ever truly feel fulfilled" thoughts and feelings, along with all the necessary healing work I had been able to avoid, up until now, while being a badass and a VERY busy boss lady!

It was easy to ignore doing any real inner-work when I was married to my job and completely distracted from living my authentic self, though at the time, I had no clue what that even meant.

“You can postpone learning, but you cannot avoid it.” -Unknown

These deep, emotional, raw, time consuming, time-to-get-honest parts easily become lost in translation whenever regurgitating stories of how amazing life is.

Life isn't necessarily easy for everyone, however for the great many of us, we can do with it whatever we choose.

To make money, I started to take on media clients of my own. It is what I knew and what I was naturally good at. I took on anyone and everyone I could at first and I ended up making more money than ever, but I quickly burned myself out and was no better off.

Even then I took the bait when a huge national executive role for a fantastic design brand came my way, and once again, I was working 24/7.

How did I get here again?

That was seven years ago. Since then, I’ve gone back to work for myself, except this time, I decided to structure my days by my own terms and not by someone else's. I became much more selective about who I work with.

When asked if I ever regret letting it all go. The answer is always the same. A resounding, “NO!”

A deep and peaceful exhale releases as I write this, I feel a sense of calm as opposed to the frenetic energy that accompanied me for so much of my career. I still work hard, but I’ve learned that I HAVE to come first in my calendar! Me first, then work.

Because I committed to a slower pace for myself, I was able to think, be creative, and create space. That space allowed me to tap into my real passions, a major one being to empower girls so they realize that they, too, can do anything they want.

Building an Authentic Business

I took this very personal passion of mine and built a company called Face It Today, dedicated to helping young girls embrace their full potential. It’s one of the most beautiful things to come out of my taking that huge leap.

Helping young girls build self-esteem and confidence before life-altering decisions are made from a place of insecurity is one of the most fulfilling and imperative endeavors I’ve ever been a part of.

Creating the space and breathing life into my spirit for this to come forward didn’t make me a dime, in fact, it cost me money, at least in the beginning. I had no clue what I was doing, but I’ve learned to trust myself, the universe, and the general idea that if I’m true to me first and I follow my natural instincts, things will work out.

"Everything is figureoutable" - Marie Forleo

Once I trust and let go, I receive — and all I need to do is show up! Imagine that!?!

I’m so grateful to be at this point, to be able to inspire and motivate my community, my tribe, and my family. I’m committed to this journey every single day, and I am loving it.

Love to chat more.

Xo,

Amy

About Amy Lloyd

Today, Amy has a thriving media consulting business, has earned 501c3 status for her company, Face It Today, is creating empowerment workshops for young girls 8-12 and she also enjoys sharing her talents as a professional advisor and mentor. Just for fun, she’s also learning everything there is to know about Human Design and is embracing the SLOW methodical, more intentional pace of life. Get in touch with Amy here: amy@faceit.today.

“My lessons and seeing my past with perspective, fuels my forward momentum to help serve others by standing strong in my own integrity” – Amy Lloyd

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