On Dreams
Here's what I won't be doing anymore: listening to people who never have anything nice to say.
I'm a grown, accomplished, and educated woman. I have two post-secondary degrees. I'm married. I served my country.
And I own my own business.
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There are so many people in my life who don't take my career seriously. To them, it's just a hobby or a side gig—something to do between "real" jobs.
But let me set the record straight: I'm doing exactly what I want to do. This is the end goal. I'm editing books, molding stories, and helping authors refine their voices—all from the comfort of my own home. Yes, there are perks. Yes, I get paid for it. No, it's not always easy—especially when people don't take my business seriously because it's just me flying solo.
Working from home and working for myself isn't a walk in the park; it requires discipline and dedication. Despite the challenges, I'm building a business I'm extremely proud of. Yet, frustratingly, many fail to see it as such. To them, owning a business means having employees and a dedicated office space. But what about us sole proprietors? Our dreams are less valid because we're one-person shows?
It's infuriating to constantly justify my choices and defend my passion as if it's just some fleeting whim.
Here's the truth: you don't need a team of twenty to say you're a business owner. Even if it's just you, your business is real. The blood, sweat, and tears poured into every project are real. The late nights, missed weekends, and sacrifices are real.
So, to my fellow writers, editors, freelancers, and small business owners who may find themselves in similar positions, hear this: your dreams matter. Your business is real, even if it doesn't pull in six figures. Every client, every project, every word written is a testament to your resilience and tenacity. Keep pushing, keep believing, and keep dreaming. In the end, it's the dreamers who change the world.
Let's defy the naysayers, rewrite the narrative, and show everyone who wants to tell us differently that dreams, no matter how humble, are worth fighting for.
We don't need anybody's permission to pursue our dreams.