What I do is help small business entrepreneurs get what matters on video and help tell their stories of the amazing work they are doing.

I thought it would be a good time to look back, reflect, and share progress so far.

Here is some of what I learned in the first six months of being an entrepreneur:

I love being creative and collaborating with clients to get their best stuff out in the world.

It makes me extremely happy to be able to provide a useful service that can do this.

I love designing my days and having the freedom of working when I want to, on my own terms.

I appreciate that I’ve gotten to work with the most awesome clients so far.  They continue to inspire.

It takes time and a lot of effort to grow a successful business.  I am learning to be more patient and enjoy the process.

Money is coming in, but I’m not making the amount of money I want to… yet.

It’s perfectly fine for me to do freelance TV gigs (my background is working as a tv post-supervisor) to help with cash flow when necessary.

This doesn’t mean I am not successful at my small biz.  To me it means I have resources, skills and experience that come in very handy.   In reality, the money from these TV gigs is what enabled me to start the business in the first place.  For this I am grateful.

You learn a ton about yourself when you start a business.  One thing I can share is that even though I enjoy my alone time, its definitely been an adjustment to spend most workdays solo.

I am getting more comfortable with the unknown, and letting go of the need to know exactly what’s up next.

It’s beneficial to have a mindfulness or meditation practice, or some activity that grounds you and calms the mind. This can be just sitting quietly for five minutes, taking a walk, going to a gentle yoga class.

Doing exercise and moving the body is crucial.  It helps my stuck energy get flowing and re-sets my mood.   Last weekend I attended a dance workshop/retreat and didn’t realize how much creativity could be unleashed through the fingers, toes, elbows and feet.  Awesome!

Also time spent in nature, at the movies, seeing art, or meeting a friend for coffee all contribute to more creativity and ideas when I return.

It’s beginning to feel like I made the right choice to take the leap into entrepreneurship.

It’s beginning to feel like I can make a difference.

I am committed to the journey, to this path that probably has no end, but has many bumps and twists along the way.

What talents and passions do you have to share with the world?  I’d love to know.

I am thrilled to share something really awesome today.  Kelly Kingman of http://stickyebooks.com/ is releasing an eBook – The Sticky eBook Formula.

Over the past year I’ve gotten to know Kelly through our participation in Pamela Slim’s group coaching program.  In that time it’s been fantastic to see her side business grow into a full fledged ittybiz.  Yay Kelly!

She is the go to person if you are thinking about writing an eBook, but are in need of some assistance organizing your thoughts and ideas.

Even if you aren’t a writer, she can show you how to get your valuable experience and knowledge out of your head and into an eBook.  There is more than one way to do this!

I know it can be daunting to consider writing 5,000 words.  I don’t consider myself a writer – I’m a video producer, more like a writer of visuals – but I am now in the final stages of formatting my first eBook.

I am grateful to have had a sneak preview of The Sticky eBook Formula to help guide me through the writing process.

Kelly clearly defines what steps to take, shares tools and methods for gathering information, organizing it, even how our brains work!

This eBook is packed full of remarkably great, useful stuff.

I invite you to consider checking out this eBook.  I am an affiliate partner for this wonderful product and honestly feel it’s a fabulous resource. The sale price of $17 ends Friday at midnight EST.

If you are interested just click on the book:

Enjoy and have a great week!

The other day I was preparing to do my taxes and was going through credit card receipts when I noticed that I joined Pamela Slim’s Quickstart to Self Employment http://www.escapeseminars.com/ in May of 2009.

I am thrilled that just under a year later I have partnered on a product with Pam along with the talented Christy Risser-Milne http://onlinesoundadvice.com/ and Kelly Kingman, http://stickyebooks.com/.  We all met in the Quickstart Program.

Together we created a multimedia product called Escape From Cubicle Nation Workshop in a Box http://escapeworkshopinabox.com/ with footage recorded at Pam’s New York Workshop.  There are also cool bonus additions with Colleen Wainwright http://www.communicatrix.com/ and Tim Berry http://timberry.com/. Included are videos, audios and a fantastic workbook!

It feels soooo amazing to have worked on a project that can really motivate and help people live the ideal life they desire and do the work that matters most to them.

Its funny how the right people and things start to come together when you choose to move beyond your fears, and begin to open up to exploring new ideas, trying new things.

I am getting going with my small video biz and am forever grateful for the coaching, support and guidance I received from Pam and folks in the Quickstart Program.   I highly recommend finding positive-minded people to surround yourself with as you begin the path to entrepreneurship.

Also huge thanks and a shout out to musician Rich Goodhart http://www.richgoodhart.com/.  His beautiful music is the theme for the sneak peek and all the videos.

I really loved putting together the short sneak peek for this project.  I find these so fun to do.  This really shows Pam’s enthusiasm as well as the excitement of the participants.

Was an awesome experience all around!

If you or anyone you know is contemplating becoming an entrepreneur and escaping the cubicle, I invite you to share this with them.

http://escapeworkshopinabox.com/

Last February I would have never dreamed that this February I would be gathering with a group of creative entrepreneurs at a ranch in Arizona for a weekend retreat.

Lift Off wasn’t a yoga or meditation retreat  in the traditional sense – we didn’t do downward dogs, meditate for hours, or have kitchen cleanup duties.  But like a spiritual retreat, we did go deep within ourselves and share our dreams and passions in a safe and supporting environment.

The safe space or container for all this was created by Pam Slim and Charlie Gilkey. They led us with amazing tenderness, genuineness and clarity.

We dug, and they helped us dig deeper.

We looked at the meaning of the work we’re doing.

We looked for what feeds us and discovered what nourishes us.

We took a really long walk!

Following my own path is scary, risky, exciting and exhilarating all at the same time.  It’s like constantly riding a roller coaster up and down.  But traveling the path with fellow seekers is truly transforming.  The open-heartedness and open-mindedness of everyone and their remarkable caring is something that I will never forget.

I am so grateful and appreciative to be a part of this brave bunch.  I am inspired and thrilled to be a part of this community.

Huge thanks to all of you for your amazing presence.  You are brilliant and beautiful. ~ Karen

www.ivanmartinezphotography.com