Being the Change I Wanted to See: Starting Out On My Entrepreneurial Journey
On the evening that I put in my resignation, I went to a nice dinner—a slow, leisurely meal during which I savored every smell, every bite, and every sip. Joined by my friend, Alisha, I let myself be taken care of, and realized just how much I had missed that kind of care. We ate, laughed, and indulged in the moment. We talked about movies, TV, friendships, and our careers.
When we finally left, I went home and journaled. And then I journaled the day after that. And the day after that, and the day after that. Writing has always been an outlet for me and a way of understanding how I’m truly feeling. So when I learned about a UC Berkeley Extension writers workshop during this time of consistent journaling, I was all over it. I knew that I wanted to document what I had experienced on my career journey and what I was learning during my reflection.
Pro Tip: Ask for what you want! As part of my transition package, I negotiated that my former employer would cover the cost for my writers workshop.
The writing workshop was eight weeks long. I remember my walk to class each evening, passing large lecture halls on my way to the relatively small room our group of 25 met in on campus. Tall windows spanned the left side of the classroom; several rows of chairs and desks faced the center lectern; and there was a full wall of whiteboards in the front. A Berkeley crowd that was majority male, our class was a mix of ages and career levels. Some were working towards a writing certificate while others were there to learn a specific skill, correct poor habits, or start a new writing project. Our instructor was a part-time writing teacher with a background in nonfiction, short story, and business writing, and our assignments consisted of reading and analyzing grammar, samples of business writing, and short stories. Throughout the course of the workshop, each of us was also drafting and workshopping our core piece of writing.
There was one night when I had to read my piece—the story that led to my job transition—in a small group for feedback. I was nervous to share my thoughts on systemic oppression, institutional racism, and age bias with a mostly White group. As soon as I got into my writing and talking about what I had been experiencing, I saw heads drop, hands fidget, and my peers shift in their seats. When I finished, they were uneasy and willing to share why.
One man said, “I know exactly what you’re talking about. I see it all the time in my workplace.”
A woman shared that she had a disability that was not visible, and that she’d faced similar ways of being dismissed at work. She emphasized how much it hurt to be treated so poorly.
Another man humbly admitted, “I’ve done that to people at work.”
The examples and support continued. No one challenged me or questioned that what I had written was invalid or inaccurate, or in need of additional proof. They knew it was true because—one way or another—they participate in these dynamics every day.
While I felt affirmed after completing this course, it was difficult to realize throughout my writing process just how much pain and disregard I had been enduring at work through the years—and especially in that last role. How my truth was received that day, with others sharing the stories of what they’d endured, further confirmed my clear vision of how I would approach the next chapter in my journey.
After years of complying and contorting myself to fit into the box of a “good” employee—which was defined by everyone except me—and making myself small to make others feel comfortable, I set out on my own path as a full-time consultant. I was clear about my priority to create a work environment that honored my values and prioritized strong and supportive relationships. I knew then as I know now that I am gifted in relationship management. Throughout my career, I’ve built and nurtured relationships with individuals and organizations with shared values and demonstrated care for the communities we serve. I leaned into that natural ability when it came time to chart my own course.
Bay Area-based organizations like the East Oakland Youth Development Center (EOYDC) and the Oakland Unified School District’s Office of African American Male Achievement served as models. They were organizations that I looked to that held the young people and families they served with high regard and valued an approach that employs john a. powell’s concept of targeted universalism—setting universal goals and using targeted processes to achieve them. Two higher profile organizations that I looked to for their unique and clear approach to narrative design were PolicyLink and The Opportunity Agenda. At any touchpoint, I was easily reminded of their motivations through their media, messages, and tools and reports.
I also spent this time reaching out to women who were my mentors, teachers, and past managers. Each woman had a unique view of how to utilize unconventional approaches to create paths to rewarding work experiences.
Charmaine McClarie helped me understand client relationships and pushed me to dream big!
Elizabeth Franklin taught me about invoicing, expense tracking, and tax prep—not glamorous, but undeniably necessary!
Holly Babe Faust taught me how to effectively manage projects both for myself and for my clients, and also influenced my thoughts on creating and designing systems.
Kim Hoffman was an incredible resource for understanding how to generate new business after transitioning from employee to full-time consultant.
Knowing the importance of connecting with professional, tech, and women’s organizations, I joined the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) to bolster my technical skills and build my network.
Early into this process of creating my dream business and workplace, I realized that I already had some entrepreneurial skills in my toolbox. I was adept at strategic visioning; able to inspire others and build strong relationships; and flexible and adaptive. Somewhere along the way, I learned that my sense of integrity and commitment to my core vision was another valuable asset. Although I continue to encounter many twists and turns, I routinely return to my purpose and why I do the work that I do. This grounding provides me with strategic and emotional stability.
Additionally, I adapted to the unpredictability of client work and business development cycles. I grew to enjoy the challenge of anticipating and foreseeing industry trends.
On the flip side, entrepreneurial skills that I needed to develop and nourish were things like:
Financial forecasting: Internal and external fiscal cycle management/understanding
Management skills for new and growing teams
Organizational infrastructure design and development (systems change and design)
This learning continues every single day. I often tell people that if I knew what I was stepping into, there is no way I would have done this. Learning to own and confront areas of opportunity in my personal and professional life is like looking into a mirror and doing the hard work required to love every bit of yourself—good, bad, and indifferent—from head to toe, knowing that being your personal best requires consistent, honest reflection and commitment to change.
The work and the growth of my business is intertwined with my physical, emotional, and mental well-being. It has been my greatest self-improvement project and the most rewarding journey—and in many ways, I’m just getting to the good part!
-Precious J. Stroud