Humble Beginnings

Story Time...(since this showed up on my FB on this day 11 years ago)

This was about 4 months after I incorporated David Lee Consulting LLC and started consulting and helping clients with digital marketing services in 2010. 

A lot of small businesses were hurting during/after the recession of 2008/2009 and at the time I thought this was a practical service I could provide for clients with a low budget but needed help with sales and marketing their stores. 

Things were different back then...

At the old house in North Jersey. 

It's 2am~ and I am doodling business plans and figuring out who to target as clients while listening to house music. 

If you want to know what grit is, this is it...

Around this time, I am working at the car dealership for 60-70~ hours during the week. Then worked at my parents' restaurant in NYC over the weekend, for 12-24 hours. I had only 1-2 clients at this point which was about what a monthly payment for a BMW X5 would be today.... lol Not a lot but my shortsighted goals were to have enough from my side business to fund my car passion and get my BMW Z4 then...

I did all this while sacrificing going out, missing parties, etc. People definitely either pitied me or made fun of me because they didn't think it was possible and also how could someone who graduated college be a "business consultant"!

Before there were popular online courses and digital nomads I was already building that mindset and business and learned everything I do for clients online (courses on courses, content and content, etc)

This photo is a reminder, that for anyone who wants to do the same, anything is possible, don't give up! It's a reminder for me of my humble beginnings because at that time I was helping my family with bills and I only had about $300 left in my bank account I was basically living paycheck to paycheck and with ignorant blissful confidence, I went full force into this business with the mindset of "Go for Broke" = go all in or go broke doing it...

I am able to grow the business and it has allowed me to meet my goals so far there is more to do and the next level as I celebrated 10 years last year with things I always wanted and put off but now I am back to head down and hustling hard to grow this business even more in the next 10 years. 

If you have a story like mine or how you started your side hustle or business, I love to connect and hear it! Comment or DM me. 

#SmallBusiness #Grit #StoryTime #KeepGoing #Business #NJ