How I Created Success in My First Year as an Entrepreneur and How You Can Too

A 3 min read.

As I look back on the past year, a significant milestone emerges—the day Solutions by Christin went live, marking the beginning of my entrepreneurial journey. The decision to start my own company was fueled by a desire for ownership, a flexible schedule, and a determination to revolutionize the hospitality industry.

My goal was clear: to combat turnover, prevent burnout, and fortify leadership within the sector. Little did I anticipate the abundance of lessons, creativity, and empowerment that awaited me.

This year has been a whirlwind of challenges and victories, like drinking from a fire hose. It's undoubtedly the toughest yet most fulfilling journey I've embarked on, and I'm eager to share my journey over the last 365 days.

(Speaking of turnover, if anyone of you in the industry are short staffed on managers and tired of spending time and energy searching the internet, I highly recommend reaching out to Willow Tree Recruiting)

Prior to starting this journey of becoming an entrepreneur, I laid a foundation for myself. Here’s what that foundation looked like:

If you are ready to start planning your journey as an entrepreneur, I can help.

#1. Hired a Coach

I was certain that I wanted to switch careers, but I was completely unsure about what I wanted to do or even where to begin. I had this wild idea of actually fitting my job around my life instead of the other way round, which is what coach Ryan Farrell helped me do.

This approach enabled me to establish clear boundaries right from the start and craft a distinct vision for the direction of my business.

#2. Defined my Purpose

Considering I was about to take a leap from a more-than-20-year career in hospitality, it was absolutely crucial for me to have a rock-solid grasp of my purpose.

I needed to ensure that I was completely ready to embrace a new path—one that I would not only adore but could also passionately discuss for the next two decades or more.

#3. Set Goals

I set a goal for the number of clients I wanted to work with and created a monetary target. I then laid those numbers out over the course of a year and then scheduled 90 day check-ins with myself to monitor my progress.

#4. Designed my Daily Routine

I've allotted myself a 3-hour block every morning before diving into work. This time is dedicated to walking my dogs, exercising, having breakfast, and either meditating or journaling. I also take the opportunity to plan out my day meticulously.

By doing so, I establish a solid foundation for success and gain better control over my time and energy. Given that each day presents new experiences and a wealth of learning, this routine proves crucial to my journey.

#5. Built a Strategy

My strategy primarily revolved around tapping into my existing network while simultaneously building a new one in my newly adopted city of Tucson.

You might wonder if I'm a glutton for punishment, setting up shop in a new city where I knew only my family. But let's be real, with my entire career rooted in the hospitality industry, hard work isn't something that intimidates me—it's what fires me up!

If you are ready find a strategy partner, DM me at Christin Marvin

With my strategy in place, the next challenge was to discover the tools and resources I needed in order to achieve my goals. Here's how I did it:

#1. Daily Journaling

Every day, I made it a practice to jot down the outcomes of my coaching sessions, highlighting my successes and areas that needed improvement. Additionally, I documented the aspects of the day that brought me joy and those that I fell short on. This allowed me to maintain a clear record of my progress and actions.

#2. Constant Education

I searched for (and asked for many recommendations for) books and podcasts related to coaching, sales, marketing, and consulting. I made it a routine to absorb as much knowledge as possible while walking the dogs each day. The process was simple: I absorbed the information, put it into practice, reflected on its effectiveness, and then repeated the cycle.

#3. Building a Network of Experts in My Field

As time progressed, I began to experience the solitary nature of being an entrepreneur, especially as a first-timer working from home. Doubts arose regarding the efficiency of my time allocation, prompting me to seek out a community of seasoned professionals in my emerging field for guidance and camaraderie.

I delved into LinkedIn, connecting with every hospitality consultant and coach within my reach. I extended invitations for 30-minute conversations, aiming to understand their roles and contribute to their ventures. Remarkably, every single one of them accepted my request.

Engaging with these individuals provided a sense of connection, as their stories of beginnings closely mirrored my own. Amid my search, I crossed paths with Jim Taylor, an individual whose impact on me has been immeasurable. Jim is an outstanding human and possesses a remarkable business acumen.

He plays an instrumental role in helping me refine my business strategy, shape my marketing plan, cultivate strategic business partnerships, and create different revenue streams to ensure the sustainability of my business.

Jim, your support is invaluable—thank you!

Reflecting on the past year, I'm thrilled to share that I've nearly achieved my client goal. My confidence has surged to new heights, fueled by the progress I've made. A sustainable business plan is now firmly in place, and I'm relishing the incredible sense of empowerment and creativity that fills my days. It's safe to say I'm having an absolute blast!

If you are ready to make a career change, let's connect

I have so many wonderful people to thank for supporting me and cheering me on during this incredible next chapter of my life. Thank you for all the social media likes and comments, phone calls, text messages, newsletter subscribers and clients. The list is too long to name everyone but know my heart is full of gratitude for each and everyone of you. 

The one person I do have to thank is my husband, Tyler Marvin. Without his love, support and hard work picking up the financial slack that is the first year of starting a business, this would not be possible. Love you Tyler!

Christin

P.S.

Whenever you are ready, here are several additional ways I provide daily support to hospitality leaders.

• On September 8th, 2023, I will be hosting a Hospitality Leadership Summit in Denver. Click here for more details HSL. We have 10 seats left.

• If you are a restaurant owner looking for a strategic partner to scale your business, retain and develop your managers, let's connect. Email me at [email protected] or you can even text me at 719-494-6074.

(Rest assured, I won't attempt to sell you anything.)

• If you are a hospitality leader looking to level up and position yourself for career advancement without sacrificing work-life balance, let’s start a conversation. Email me at [email protected]

• Each week, I provide hospitality leaders with valuable tools and resources to shift from surviving to thriving by embracing mental fitness. Subscribe to my newsletter to receive these helpful tips directly in your inbox.