“Keep taking small steps. Keep showing up. Trust the process.” 👋🏾 ~Kandice Cole

9-5 or business? (#326)

Last week, I read a tweet asking:

In ONE word, why do you think people choose a 9-5 over starting their own business?

I’m not gonna lie. The tweet immediately caused me to get in my feelings which I’ve come to realize it’s my inner generator wanting to respond.  

I really wanted to say: “Why does it have to be either/or?”  

There are pros to a 9-5:

• Stability (at least in terms of a regular paycheck) 

• Benefits (health insurance is a big reason folks are not full-time entrepreneurs)

• Coworkers (it’s nice to have friends to work with)

Not to mention some of us really like our jobs.

And then, as an entrepreneur, there are benefits:

• Freedom (you are your own boss)

• Flexibility (you can build a business on a schedule that works for you)

• Money (there is something special about making $$ as an entrepreneur)

They both have their negatives as well.

Jobs are not as stable and secure as they used to be.  Some folks work in toxic or unhealthy work environments. Layoffs are running rampant all over the place.

And as entrepreneurs, it can be hard to start and make money (especially in the beginning).

But the cool thing about considering both is that you can:

• diversify your income streams (which helps with stability)

• develop your skills (any skills you learn from either situation will help you throughout your career)

• pursue new things and experiment (with your income covered with a job, you can explore and try different ideas with your side hustle)

So I guess if I did have to respond to that tweet in ONE word, it would have to be: unaware.

Folks are unaware that there are other possibilities.

Sure, it can be a choice. 9-5 OR entrepreneur.

But that is not the only option. 

On to the picks!

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Note: This email may contain affiliate links. If you click through my link and make a purchase, I may receive “thank you money” at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products that I use and love.  

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#loves 😍

• 🤖. Tool: Lex. This is my favorite ChatGPT writing companion. It has Google Docs vibes, and I love that I can click `+++` at any point, and it’ll try to fill in the next sentence or two. I am also a fan of their headline-generation feature. I believe there is still a waitlist, but if you want to try it, let me know. I have five invites available.

• 📺. Watching: A Peek Inside The Mind Of A Productivity Expert. It’s so interesting when content resurfaces in your life. Thinking through $10K versus $10 work is very top of mind right now, as I am acclimating to this manager role and figuring out the new rhythm for juggling all the things. One question right now, in particular, is if I only have a couple of hours to work on my biz every week, what’s the best use of my time? 🤔

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#reads

52 Ways to Grow Your Email List

Not every newsletter will reach a million readers (or even 10,000 readers), and that’s OK. You don’t have to achieve massive scale to successfully monetize — you just need a loyal and engaged audience.

Dan Oshinsky put together this comprehensive guide of ways to grow your email list.

I would grab a cup of coffee, read through everything and then pick 1-3 strategies you want to try over the next month or two to kick things off.

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Trust the Process

Love this post and message from

Kandice Cole

which inspired this week's quote.

Everyday Extraordinary: Trust the Process

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#icymi

• 😍. Last issue’s top pick was: Sacred Money Archetypes. 

• 💬. Side Hustle Convos: Learn from others who have started successful businesses and are juggling it with their day jobs.

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#classifieds 🗞

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• This is the classified spot. Get your newsletter, tool, or event in front of 2600+ creators, side hustlers, and freelancers. Sponsor #jesspicks.

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#lifevibes

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