I’ve been a small business owner for nearly a decade.

Around year three, things got personal when I realized that my business was a direct reflection of me. Around year five, I accepted the difficult task of making my personal growth my top business priority.

This was the point when I realized that my personal development was the most critical thing I could do to grow my business. A mindset that was drastically different from the once budding entrepreneur, willing to sacrifice her well-being to “make it.”

My business strategy for the past few years has mostly consisted of breaking the cycle of surviving and allowing myself the audacity to believe that I deserve to thrive.

To say that it hasn’t been easy is an understatement. The truth is that the business of growing me, has proven to be much more difficult than executing any business plan. And there have been several times when I felt it was simply not worth it.

It may not show-up as a line item on my balance sheet– But, making it my business to put myself first, will be the most profitable thing I’ve ever done to grow my business.