From Foster Care to College Bills… Apparently I Needed One More Project
Have you ever looked at your life and thought, “Yep, this seems like the perfect time to add another responsibility”?
No?
Just me? 😆
Lately, I’ve been thinking about starting a small business while working full-time. And if I’m being honest, I’m not entirely sure I’ve lost my mind… but the evidence is starting to pile up.
Let’s look at what’s already on my plate.
I have a full-time job.
I’m licensed for foster care and waiting for that phone call that could completely change our lives overnight.
My oldest is getting ready to leave for college, which somehow feels exciting, heartbreaking, and expensive all at the same time.
I have a house full of projects that I’d love to finish one day. You know, those little things that start with, “I’ll get to that next weekend,” and somehow survive for three years.
Then there’s the normal adult stuff.
Laundry.
Dishes.
Bills.
Grocery shopping.
Trying to remember why I walked into a room.
The usual.
So naturally, my brain looked at all of that and said:
“You know what sounds like a fantastic idea right now? Starting a business.”
Why Do I Do This to Myself?
Seriously.
Why do we do this?
Why do adults with overflowing schedules decide to take on one more thing?
I think part of it is hope.
Part of it is curiosity.
And part of it is that little voice that keeps whispering, “What if this actually works?”
The truth is, starting a small business has been sitting in the back of my mind for a while.
Not because I have loads of free time.
Not because I know exactly what I’m doing.
Definitely not because I wanted more paperwork.
But because life can change fast.
I hope I keep my job for many years.
I hope everything goes exactly according to plan.
But I’ve learned that having another skill, another source of income, or another opportunity isn’t always a bad thing.
The Business Idea Nobody Saw Coming
Now you’re probably wondering what kind of business I decided to start.
A bakery?
A craft shop?
Something glamorous?
Nope.
Trash bin cleaning.
I know.
Go ahead and read that again. 😆
When I first started talking about it, I got a few confused looks.
But hear me out.
Have you ever cleaned something that was absolutely disgusting and then stood back and admired it like you just starred in your own home improvement show?
That’s the feeling.
There’s something weirdly satisfying about taking something dirty, stained, and smelly and making it look clean again.
Maybe it’s just me.
Maybe I’ve officially entered my weird adult era.
Either way, I enjoy it.
Introducing Blossoming Bins
At some point, this random idea became a real idea.
The next thing I knew, I was creating a Facebook page, researching equipment, comparing prices, looking into insurance, and learning everything I could about starting a trash bin cleaning business.
That’s when reality hit.
Starting a small business involves a lot more than having a good idea.
There are supplies to buy.
Prices to figure out.
Marketing to learn.
Questions to answer.
And approximately 437 moments where you wonder if you know what you’re doing.
Spoiler alert:
Most days, I don’t. 😆
I’m learning as I go.
Excited, Nervous, and Slightly Overwhelmed
If you’ve ever thought about starting a small business while working full-time, you’ve probably felt this mix of emotions too.
One minute you’re excited.
The next minute you’re pricing equipment.
Then you’re doing math.
Then you’re questioning all of your life choices.
Then you’re excited again.
It’s a roller coaster.
Some days I feel confident.
Other days I look at everything involved and think, “Who exactly approved this plan?”
You Never Know Unless You Try
The funny thing is, there was no guarantee when I started this blog.
There are no guarantees with foster care.
There are no guarantees with a new business.
Most of the meaningful things in life don’t come with guarantees.
Sometimes you just have to take a chance and see what happens.
Will Blossoming Bins be successful?
I honestly don’t know.
Maybe it will grow into something amazing.
Maybe it’ll stay a small side hustle.
Maybe I’ll learn a few lessons along the way.
But I’d rather try and find out than spend years wondering, “What if?”
And if nothing else, helping pay for college wouldn’t hurt either. 😆
But I’d rather try and find out than spend years wondering, “What if?”
And if nothing else, helping pay for college wouldn’t hurt either. 😆
So for now, I’m taking the first step, learning as I go, and hoping for the best.
Because apparently I didn’t have enough on my plate already.
Until next time, have a blessed day.