From 9-5 to Her Own Timeline
As a rising child star, Kelsey Edwards was
enamored with the spotlight. She became
enthralled with acting at a young age and
successfully earned roles in numerous TV
episodes and feature films. But as a young
adult, the pressure to look for a more
stable, safe career became
overwhelming.
Kelsey went to
college and took a job in PR and branding.
She enjoyed the work, but something was
missing. After an extended vacation
through Europe, Kelsey had a revelation.
The missing piece? Freedom. Returning to
her office job threw her longing into
stark relief. She would never be fulfilled
by the safety and stability she was
supposed to crave.
"My
viewpoint on the world shifted my
viewpoint on myself," she says. "And I
realized I don't want to be stuck in a job
that I'm not ultimately passionate about
for the rest of my life."
Instead, Kelsey made a decision. She would pack up and head for Los Angeles, as so many hopeful performers had done before her. The big difference? She was going with a plan.
Putting the "Business" in "Show Business"
Kelsey realized early on that to be taken seriously, she needed to get serious about her business. That meant pulling together all of her skills and abilities under a single umbrella, tracking her income and expenses, and creating a business plan to guide her toward reaching her goals.
Forming an LLC as an entertainer is an
unusual choice, but it's one Kelsey says
has made all the difference. She sees it
in the way she views herself, and in the
way others view her.
"I started
learning a lot about entrepreneurship,"
she says. "Reading a lot of books,
listening to podcasts and finding content
creators on the internet that talked about
the things I was passionate about and
wanted to learn more about. I really dove
head into becoming an entrepreneur and
working for myself."
But it
wasn't always easy. Kelsey had to learn
the hard way that being an entrepreneur
came with challenges, especially for a
self-titled "perfectionist." That's why
she encourages new business owners to go
into it with their eyes open so they're
ready to roll with the punches.
Kelsey's Big Tip? Entrepreneurs Need to Take Care of Themselves
Most business owners have a lengthy to-do list. But no matter how long that list stretches, Kelsey always finds time to include a few tasks that are solely focused on her mental, physical and emotional well-being. Not only do these self-care regimens help her stay healthy, but they also help her stay focused and productive.
-
Start a healthy habit.
Whether it's hitting the gym every morning or eating a balanced meal, taking care of your body ensures you have the energy you need to meet your demanding role as an entrepreneur.
-
Plan everything.
Whether it's scheduling time for quiet meditation or outlining your daily goals, Kelsey finds that setting aside dedicated time to thoroughly plan each day contributes to her overall productivity and happiness.
-
Take time to decompress.
All business all the time isn't just boring, it can also be bad for your health. Kelsey still makes time for activities she enjoys, like catching a movie or attending a yoga class.
As for business tips, Kelsey says the biggies are setting goals, making a plan and staying committed to achieving them.
Here's how Kelsey does it:
-
1
Use a planner.
Write out every goal for every day. Make it achievable and commit to checking it off your list.
-
2
Create a vision board.
Put your goals up on the board and make sure it's somewhere highly visible. Whenever you see it, you'll be motivated to make it happen.
-
3
Write a step-by-step plan.
To turn the vision into reality, make sure you outline every step you need to get there. No step is too small, and no step is unimportant.
Big Picture: What's Ahead for Kelsey
Aside from being an entertainer and
content creator, Kelsey has another
passion — helping young girls achieve
their wildest dreams. She likes to refer
to herself as an "internet big sis" and
takes her role as a mentor very
seriously.
Later this year,
Kelsey will launch an online academy for
teen girls. Many will want to pursue a
career in entertainment, like Kelsey. But
what she hopes they come away with isn't
industry secrets or networking
opportunities. Instead, she aims to give
them a safe space to discuss their fears
and their challenges and to talk openly
about what they're facing in their daily
lives — from eating disorders to
depression and anxiety — in a welcoming
and non-judgmental forum.
Eventually, Kelsey hopes to expand to in-person events on a global scale. "I want to help girls all over the world," she says. "I want to connect teen girls and help them have a community of sisters. I want to help girls feel like they have sisters all over the world."
An Unconventional Business Needs a Partner Like Bizee
When forming her LLC four years ago,
Kelsey knew she needed help. She turned to
Bizee and was thrilled to find a service
that would take an active role in
supporting her business beyond the initial
startup. "It's not a one-and-done thing.
It's a service that provides help for me,
even years down the road."
Kelsey
especially appreciates that Bizee notifies
her about important dates, helps her
complete and file forms and keeps her
business compliant and current.
Entertaining Ideas of a Bright Tomorrow
Kelsey has come a long way from her 9-to-5
desk job. In some ways, she's returned to
her roots — taking risks and doing what
she loves. But she knows there's much more
to experience, and it wouldn't be possible
if she hadn't taken those initial steps to
turn her career as an entertainer into a
legitimate and respected business.
"I
just can't stress enough the identity
shift of viewing yourself as a business,"
she says. "It just makes all the
difference. It really does."
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