Kay Godfrey, Owner of First Class Accounts, Mona Vale, NSW, shares how she discovered her bold new self as a business owner.
That sense we feel when we’re thriving is one of those things that most of us don’t quite know we’ve missed till we’ve rediscovered it again.
There is perhaps a sense that something isn’t quite right when we’re not thriving. When we’re feeling weighed down by the world. But it’s difficult to pinpoint what needs to change.
Without even quite knowing what the future could be, Kay Godfrey in 2017 decided her change was to join First Class Accounts and launch her new life as business owner.
Here Kay shares her story about how she has discovered a new, bolder version of herself.
I am braver than I’ve ever been
In the last few years I’ve changed. Previously I was, perhaps, a little timid. You wouldn’t believe it now, but I just didn’t have the confidence in myself. I knew I wanted to change though.
I don’t think I would have ever started my own business if I didn’t have guidance at the start.
I’ve been given so much support to be able to start my own business. I had no idea how Xero worked or any of the other cloud accounting programs. There are so many apps you need these days.
First Class Accounts have helped me through all of that.
I only answer to myself and I like it
There is something about working for someone else that can hold you back personally. I no longer felt suppressed. I didn’t have anyone telling me what to do so I came out of my shell.
Now I can do anything the way I want, just how I like to, and it feels good. It gives me a feeling of freedom.
I was welcomed quickly into a big family and it just seemed right
The thing that put me on my feet right at the beginning was going to the national conference soon after joining as a franchisee. I didn’t know anyone when I went. At that stage I was just starting my business. I met so many people within the first month.
Everyone in head office and all the franchisees are so accessible. I don’t feel like the team are out there and unreachable. I know I can call anyone anytime, even Deb Stanton, the General Manager.
I really enjoy bouncing ideas off Simon Boler, who works in Franchise Support. There’s a real rapport between head office and franchisees.
The conferences and get togethers inspire me to travel again and I can work from anywhere
I love travelling and the conferences push me to explore more. My husband and I took the caravan to the Melbourne conference, then we went along the Great Ocean Road for a couple of weeks.
As a bookkeeper I can work anywhere. I am quite happy doing a bit of work in the early morning, while husband is still asleep, and fit in travel around that.
I’ve finally discovered enjoyment in putting myself out there
Promoting yourself can be hard. Social media is important these days. Rather than trying to fumble through it on my own, I’ve done a First Class Accounts Social Media course, which helped a lot. First Class Accounts also does the Facebook posts for us.
I’ve learned to network on Facebook groups, Instagram, and use LinkedIn. I now think it’s fun. I feel I am communicating with all my people, and I like the responses I get in return.
As I work on my own a lot, if I’ve had a busy day I get pleasure out of putting up posts and getting nice feedback. I like knowing through my tips and blogs I write I’m helping people too. I’ll do posts with my clients and they like that as well.
It’s nice to know I’ve found a new me and it has really made a difference to my life.
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