As I lay in bed (day 5 of having the flu) I've been thinking about how truly terrified I really am. Usually this comes at night when I first get into bed and start thinking about all the money and time I've put into my startup, all the career opportunities I've past up and how I never have any money anymore to travel, shop or even donate.
Most days I'm very focused and motivated. Yet some days I ponder whether it will all pay off particularly as I approach the first of the month when all the bills need to be paid. The days I'm questioning myself I go back to the one thing that always brings me joy and focus no matter where I am, how I feel or what I'm doing and that is CHILDREN.
As a Latina, social impact entrepreneur focused on better preparing Latino kids for kindergarten through English language acquisition, I remember why I'm carrying this burden, why I'm working so hard and why I'm sacrificing so much to make this startup a reality. The CHILDREN!
Truth be told, I was a kid who grew up in low-income housing with a single, Latina immigrant mom who showed us in so many ways that an education was important and that higher education would also be attainable if we worked hard. Fortunately for me, I grew up in an English and Spanish speaking household and therefore had no issues with the English language early in my academic experience. However, today the fastest growing segment of the student population are English language learners. They need affordable tools to help them acquire a second language in a fun and entertaining way.
Anyway, I've digress...back to being terrified. Now that the business plan and demo are done, the financial projections are complete, the team and corporate formation is in place, the question is, will THEY invest? How much longer will this take? Can I hold on as my bank account dwindles down to nothing? Do I have the stamina to keep going?
Thankfully, there's something called an obligation that can keep an entrepreneur engaged. Last year around this time I received a small seed investment instrumental in getting me to where I am today. I feel obligated not to let that investor down, regardless of the size of her investment. So I continue on, terrified, yet hopeful this will all be worth it.
Best,
Deborah
www.tipitomtales.com
