Five weeks ago, I launched Inspired Hospitality Recruiting. Initially it wasn’t easy to even consider opening my own company. Over time, I couldn’t fathom not moving forward with the challenge.
Months ago, I was listening to a colleague give a speech at an industry event and he said that multiple times during his successful career he had “taken a leap of faith”. As I listened to the presentation I began to ponder what that phrase meant to me. Had I taken any leaps of faith? Had they paid off? Did I have regrets for not taking a leap at any time in my life?
In 1997, I took a leap of faith and became the Director of Sales & Marketing for Wolfgang Puck’s largest and newest venue in Orlando. I can admit to you now that I was completely scared on my first day and I felt like I was an impostor. I had the experience required and after courting the hiring manager for just short of a year I had secured the role. I remember thinking to myself that I was in over my head. History shows, I was the perfect fit for the role and thankfully I was wildly successful in building sales and brand awareness. This leap had paid off.
Over the course of my career and personal life I can think of a couple of leaps, some noteworthy and others that I’d consider splats! Throughout my career I would always hear “you should start your own business”. This remark seemed to always come when I had provided a solution to someone’s challenge.
So as I pondered my own challenge this winter, the idea from the remark seemed to be the only choice. I think the universe and everyone I know was talking the same talk. Countless close friends chimed in with their opinions and they all seemed to be sharing the same old message, over and over. An industry colleague, who recently passed, saw me at the beginning of December and said “quit making everyone else successful and do this for yourself”. So the decision was made shortly thereafter.
In case you haven’t heard, starting a new business isn’t easy. However, I am incredibly thankful that I have taken the leap. So five weeks ago with my plan in hand it was time to move forward. Again a friend chimed in with some great advice. His note of encouragement on my first day of business included a quote from Tom Daschle, who said “the windshield is bigger than the rear view mirror”. It has become one of my favorite quotes to read and embrace.
Thanks to my family, friends, and colleagues who continue to inspire me to move forward.
