10 Steps you can take to quit your full time job and pursue your dream business
In this blog post, we'll delve into the inspiring story of Manon, the Co-Founder of The Viomati Co and how she turned her passion into a business by following a well-defined roadmap.
If you're considering taking a similar leap, these 10 steps can guide you towards transforming your dream into a reality
It’s almost like a calling you can’t ignore.
If you ever had this feeling or you are feeling it at the moment, I’m sure you get what I mean.
You have an idea, but you don’t know how or when you can turn this idea into reality…
Embarking on the journey from a secure full-time job to pursuing your dream business is a bold and exhilarating decision.
It requires determination, resilience, and a willingness to step out of your comfort zone.
Manon her story
What if it all goes wrong? But oh, what if you fly? ✨
I've been working in tourism and events since the age of 19. Although I loved my jobs, there was always a lingering feeling that something else was waiting for me. The thought of staying in the same company and working on someone else's dream felt scarier than taking the risk and starting our own business.
It felt like a calling, even though I didn't quite know what it was. Looking back at my previous years, it was crystal clear what I liked and what I didn't like. The challenge was figuring out how to turn those passions into a livelihood, how to transform them into something I could truly live from.
How it all started…
I grew up in The Netherlands in a small city close to Rotterdam, studied Tourism management and decided to go and live abroad.
For my internship, I moved to Greece in 2015, at the age of 19 years young and caught the travel bug. I made traveling my biggest priority. Every 6 - 8 months I choose a new destination. From living in different Greek islands during the summers, to working in the French Alps during the winters... or backpacking around Asia and Australia.
In 2019 I tried to live in Belgium, Gent and get a 'normal' 9-5 job
For the first time in years I lived close to my friends and family. I got a job as a project manager and lived in a beautiful house in the historical center with my boyfriend.
I loved Gent... but found it difficult to get used to the fast city life.
Robin (CoFounder The Viomati co and my boyfriend) and I booked a 2 week holiday to Morocco to take a break from the rat race.
Guess what happened next... Morocco closed the borders due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We couldn't go home and ended up staying for 6 months in Morocco. Long story short. After being stuck in Morocco for so many months & finally coming home.…..
we couldn't get used to Belgium anymore. Robin build his online coaching business in Morocco and I…
Started a Youtube channel. I always loved video and photography, and this was the perfect time to learn a new skill as my work for my job in Belgium couldn’t continue as there were no events to work on.
Watch our Morocco adventures here!
We quit our jobs, moved out of our apartment and started traveling again.
It was one of the most stressful periods of my life. We took the leap, quitting our jobs and leaving our apartment behind to embark on a new journey of travel. Looking back, it was undeniably one of the most stressful periods of my life, but I have no regrets about the decision to make this change. Even in the midst of a pandemic, the choice to leave my job felt like a daring move – and now, I couldn't be happier that I took it.
Our bags were packed, and our destination was set: Mexico. While Robin seamlessly continued to expand his online coaching business, I found myself in a state of uncertainty. Desiring an online job, I was at a loss when it came to deciding what path to take. Despite this uncertainty, I found solace in creating videos for my YouTube channel, which documented our captivating adventures in Mexico. For a firsthand look at our time there, feel free to check out our Mexico travel series here!
Traveling taught me so many lessons! I met amazing people, discovered different cultures and languages, learned how to take take care of myself in a different country and working abroad.
When we came back from Mexico, I reclaimed my role as a guide, this time as the manager of the destination.
With Greece as our home for seven transformative months, we eventually made the choice to embark on yet another chapter: the enchanting Madeira Island.
When I arrived in Madeira I knew I wanted to stay
I lost my heart to this tropical island in the Atlantic ocean.
I realised that this island is a perfect destination for people who want to work and get inspiration for their project(s).
Surrounded by the beautiful nature, infinite hiking paths in the mountains and close to the ocean.
Oke, so I knew for so long that I wanted to start something for myself? but WHAT? I had no clue.
I knew that I loved traveling, making connections with other people and I knew what I absolutely did NOT like.
I had no clue what to do, but you have to start somewhere right.
I continued working full-time as a guide and manager and started to focus on the following things:
🌟 Step 1: Prioritize Happiness
First I focused on feeling good by doing things that brought me joy after work. It helped me stay positive and motivated throughout the journey. 😊 🌟
🌟 Step 2: Secure Your Finances
I started saving money to support myself for a few months without a stable income after quitting. Financial security gave me the confidence to take the leap! 💰
🌟 Step 3: Validate Your Idea
I shared my business idea with trusted people and conducted market research on Instagram and the internet to ensure there's a demand for it. 🧐
🌟 Step 4: Build an Online Presence and learn new skills!
Setting up an Instagram account and a landing page was crucial to start engaging with potential guests. I started talking about our business and what we are doing! 📱 I invested in online courses, E-guides and read a lot of inspiring books.
🌟 Step 5: Connect & Inspire
I embraced social media, making genuine connections, helping others, and inspiring them along the way. Creating a supportive community is vital! 💪
🌟 Step 6: Get to Know Your Audience
Booking calls with potential clients allowed me to understand their needs better. Personal connections are key! ☎️
🌟 Step 7: Believe in Yourself
Working on my mindset was essential. I learned to believe in myself and my abilities. Positive affirmations, listening to podcasts and reading books kept me going! 🙌
🌟 Step 8: Focus on Excellent Service
Providing the best client experience was my priority. Happy customers lead to business growth! 🌟
🌟 Step 9: Seek Support
I reached out to other entrepreneurs for advice and assistance. Together, we can achieve more!
JOIN A WORKATION 🤝
🌟 Step 10: Just Start & Learn Along the Way
Remember, you don't need perfection from the beginning. Take that leap, start your journey, and embrace the learning process. Your business will evolve as you go! 💡 Perfection is an illusion. Launching your business is the first step towards your dream, and learning and adapting are constants along the way. Embrace the learning process, and remember that every challenge is an opportunity for growth.
🌟 The time is NOW. Believe in yourself, stay persistent, and watch your dream business come to life! 🌈
First, I wanted to become an influencer, or maybe an artist… then I wanted to organise photography retreats..
I tried to launch different things, made the whole website, and when it was time to sell… I just couldn’t. The idea did not feel right and I was just very scared.
But then...
I can still remember it clearly. I had a talk with my boss. It was better to move back to Greece from Madeira because it's too small in Madeira for me. There was a possibility I might lose my job if I decided to stay on Madeira island…
After our talk, I drove home up the mountains. I was listening to a podcast that inspired me, and suddenly a great idea popped into my head. What if I arrange special trips and work opportunities for entrepreneurs? I felt a surge of excitement, like a burning fire inside me. Right after that thought, I took action on my inspiration. And now, look at where we are today!
This journey reminds me that sometimes, just one idea and some inspired action can lead to incredible things.
Keep on learning and trying new things! You will get there and you will be able to use your skills along the way!
What if I never said yes, dared to take the leap?
I would not be where I am today.
This is what worked for me. It doesn’t mean that things that work for you work for me and things that work for me work for you!
Everyone is different and everyone has a different book to write. But, how amazing is it that we can learn from each other if you share your business journey!
The path from quitting a full-time job to creating a successful dream business is a transformative experience that requires dedication, resilience, and a strong belief in oneself. believe in yourself, stay persistent, and witness your dream business unfold before your eyes!
Are you ready to step out of your comfort zone and go all-in for YOU?
Join one of our upcoming Crosstraining and coaches retreats or workations👇
