I'm starting a startup & I feel like a fake...UGH! Join me for the ride!
- Kyla Antonelli
- Nov 13, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 14, 2023
Hello, I'm Kyla and I'm scared...Meaning, I'm starting a new, small consulting business!
After 12 years of sales and marketing for large companies I'm starting over! For decades, I've worked hard to help grow the companies' I've worked for. And after years of chasing impossible sales goals set by invisible private equity firms, I was burnt out...tired and lacking any passion for my field. Then...In September I got downsized...dumped by a job i hated! UGH...
Let's back up to summer, I was inspired by a dear co-worker who started a beautiful, small business (hey denise @coffeeweed_cottage) to chase a passion of my own. At this point, all I had was a drive to be a part of and contribute to the incredible Harrisonburg community.
And then, in September, I decided the best idea was to start a new business in a field I knew nothing about....Restaurants!
Yes, after decades in sales I thought...."I'm gonna start a restaurant!!
With that crazy idea The Front Porch (TFP) was born.
The idea for TFP: An upscale but casual eatery in Harrisonburg with a focus on community, gathering and play. In typical fashion I whole assed it, I did all the adulting to make TFP real. I started classes on entrepreneurship, created an LLC, got an EIN, domain name, built a business plan, website and socials!
And then... after 8 weeks I realized I hated the idea. HATED IT!
Crap...Now what?
I pulled out my resume, got back on LinkedIn, and thought about returning to the corporate world. While I knew I'd have security, I felt that wasn't the best option for this season of my life. In fact, I hated the idea more than The Front Porch.
For a bit, I felt lost. Then a remembered a seed from a few weeks prior another friend had planted in my brain...Contract work! (thanks kyle!). It never occurred to me to create a business doing the work that had just burned me out and dumped me! Also.... The imposter syndrome was REAL!
I spent a week overthinking, journaling, freaking out and planning.
And the week of October 30th, when it was peak leaf peeping season in the Shenandoah Valley I decided to GO FOR IT.
I created Lavender Cottage Marketing.
Lavender Cottage Marketing will offer easy, affordable a la carte marketing and startup support for small business, entrepreneurs, non-profits & contractors.
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So...Here I am, starting ANOTHER new business that I'm very excited about. I'm still working on The Front Porch, it's been a fun project and learning experience that will hold a special place in my heart. You'll see it soon under Project Work!
Please stay tuned as I share my journey of starting a new business during an exciting, new season of my life.
If you read this far, thank you so much...and can you believe I thought about starting a restaurant? And if you're thinking of starting an eatery in H'burgh call me, I have a great idea you can use!