UQ - one of my Alma Maters
I have 6 years of university education, and 3 bachelor’s degrees.
I don’t say this to gloat – but to express the fact that I obviously believe in the importance of education!
However… my idea of what education is has changed a lot over the last few years. When I was a teenager, and in my early 20′s, education was a formal thing – you went to school or uni to ‘get educated’.
Sure, I taught myself html as a hobby so I could build websites… but that was fun, right? That wasn’t proper education!
Yeah – I don’t believe that any more.
Now, I’m not knocking formal education – it helped me to get where I am now – but I don’t hold it in the awe that I once did. Once-upon-a-time I was going to do the hard slog of post-grad education – I was going to get that PhD… until I realised that my heart wasn’t in it.
I have spent the last 3 years slowly growing a hobby into a thriving business. I’ve never done a formal business subject in my life.
Everything I have learned about how to run my business, I have learned myself – by jumping in, doing the research, making mistakes and – amazingly – experiencing a lot of successes, too.
There is so much you can learn for free if you just invest the time, and go searching.
But… I’ve come to a new place in my journey. I don’t have the free time to spend searching for answers any more – I’m so busy with my work. But I want to keep learning!
What’s a girl to do?
I’ve decided that it’s time for me to make some more investments in myself – and so I’ve signed up for a couple of courses.
Why pay for courses when I could figure this stuff out for myself?
Time, time, time!
My time is worth money, and at this point in my business journey, I’m ready to invest some money in courses that can teach me what I need to know to keep my business growing and thriving! I’m willing to lay down the moulah and learn from those who know how to get where I want to go!
So – what courses am I taking, I hear you ask?
The Firestarter Sessions
A ‘digital experience’ for entrepreneurs – this course by Danielle LaPorte is designed to light your fire, and to take you through a deep journey to discover what you REALLY want to be, and how to embrace it.
I have only worked through the first session so far (this is a work-at-your-own-pace course – you download it all at the beginning). It was awesome.
The big thing that this course has already given me is the clarity to call myself a Creative Entrepreneur. That’s what I am, and it’s time I embraced that as the title to define me and all that I do.
I am going to savour this course.
Indie Biz 3.0
A course specifically for those who have their own indie craft or similar business – run by three amazingly successful women!
I’ve already started to connect to some of my classmates via twitter, and I am seriously looking forward to the business goodness that the three teachers of this course – Leigh-Ann Keffer, Jill Munro and Lisa Leonard – have to share!
The Art of Action
Put together by the guru of getting things done – Tara Gentile – the Art of Action is all about how to make big ideas happen. This is something I feel I’ve done pretty well so far in my business journey – but I’ve been given a spot in the course and I am going to suck all the knowledge I can out of it!
Finally, I would LOVE to take the Blogging Your Way course from Decor8 - but with both Indie Biz 3.0 and The Art of Action happening at the same time, I just can’t commit to it.
March is going to be a BIG month for me – I can’t wait to share some of what I learn with you – and if any of you are doing the same courses, please let me know and say hello!
I totally agree with this article. I do not have as many degrees as you do (just one in Biology) but I am figuring out myself how to be a successful Indie business owner. I have been learning from virtual lab classes and seminars and have been seeing the results. I agree that time is so very important (I am a SAHM and shop owner) and so I know that finding answers can definitely be time consuming. I love Tara Gentile’s advice and I plan on signing up for some online courses this year. Great post!
Shelley – I’m curious – what was your biology speciality? I got my science degree in genetics and microbiology
Thanks for this very informative post. Even looking for online courses can seem daunting…especially for me because I’m a newbie! I’m actually signed up for Indie Biz 3.0 also. I’m working on my blog (I only have two posts so far) and can’t wait to meet more classmates!
The weird thing is that I initially majored in Biology (minor in Chemistry) because I wanted to be a doctor. By my 3rd year, I realized that I did not but wanted to finish the program anyway. After college, I worked in Chemistry labs (new product formulation and development). I actually loved it at the time. But when I started thinking of having a family with kids, I realized that all of the chemicals I worked with were not good (potential carcinogens). It was not until I had my son that I even realized that I was creative. I started learning Adobe programs while I was at home (I am a SAHM) and now I have a online stationery company:)
Do you miss working in labs?
Hmm, I wouldn’t say I miss it – I did enjoy it, though! But I didn’t have the passion for the details of science to make it my career, in the end
Science for me was really all about the joy of discovery – so I guess I’ve just captured that in a different way, now!
Whitney, glad you enjoyed it – look forward to meeting you in Indie Biz 3.0!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jessica Van Den, EvenAndy. EvenAndy said: @JessVanDen I am too! Great post!! RT I'm taking a few e-courses over the next month… how about you? http://fb.me/SjRb0sTY [...]
i just recently started a course with April of Blacksburg Belle. All my years of education could not have prepared me for running my craft business. So far so good!
Hi Jessica,
I’ve also decided to invest in myself this year. I’ve just enrolled on The Art of Action Course with Tara. I’m looking forward to it. I’m also investing in my creative side too so I’m doing an on-line Experimental Art Course at the end of April.
I think you have to be continually learning to progress on-line, things change so quickly. I’ll see you over at the Art of Action Course next week!
Ali x
Hi Jess, thanks so much for this article. I’ve been wondering what to do with myself and so have signed up for Indie Business 3.0. Really looking forward to it and hope to see you in class soon.
Cheers
Tracey – really interested in how your course goes!
Bec and Alison – see you in class
I am in Indie Biz with you.. love love it!!!!
Hello, I’m not from the US and am trying to understand what is an Indie business? Can you help me please?