Back in 1991, my entrepreneurial journey began with a side-hustle that combined passion and creativity: selling topical stamps to stamp collectors and philatelists.
I started small, placing ads in specialized stamp collector magazines and fulfilling orders through an approval-based mail service.
Over time, as the business grew, I took a bold step forward, hiring an agency to program a custom database. This innovation allowed me to launch my very own .com website, where collectors could browse and purchase stamps by topic or subject, pioneering a unique eCommerce experience long before it became mainstream.
When I launched this first entrepreneurial venture, I was balancing family, friends, a demanding 9-to-5 job, and a flood of information that felt completely overwhelming. I still remember sitting at my laptop late one night, staring at an endless to-do list and thinking, “Can I really make this work?”
It was easy to feel paralyzed by the sheer number of decisions...
Set up an email list? Invest in ads?
Every step felt critical.
But I learned a valuable lesson: sustainable success isn’t built overnight. It’s built with consistent, small steps.
One step at a time, I focused on the essentials : authentic content, trusted mentors, and tools to simplify the work.
Slowly, it started paying off.
Actionable Tips for Your Journey
Here are two strategies that made all the difference in those early days:
Micro-goals: Break big tasks into smaller, achievable steps.
The 80/20 Rule: Focus on the 20% of actions that yield 80% of your results.
Resources I Trust
~~~ Achieve Your Goals By Resetting Your Focus
Life these days in time is brimming with distractions ; emails, notifications, endless to-dos, and the relentless pressure to "do it all" can leave you feeling overwhelmed and stuck.
Staying focused is key to achieving success, which is why I'm excited to recommend Kim Nelson and Yvonne A. Jones's insightful report packed with practical strategies to help you break free from the cycle of overwhelming to-do lists and regain control of your time and energy.
➡️ https://janiceloves.com/ResettingYourFocus
~~~ Six Figure System Guide
Need step-by-step guidance to build your business? Hum...the problem is that finding a comprehensive, soup-to-nuts blueprint is nearly impossible.
Sure, you can find brilliant teachers who will help you master list building and course creation and content marketing and all the other elements of business growth, but then what?
How do you piece all of that together without getting overwhelmed and lost in the process?
That's where my friend and colleague Cindy Bidar comes in to make your goals much more attainable.
➡️ https://janiceloves.com/OnlineBusinessBasics
These highly reliable resources will transform how you approach your business, as it did for myself.
Get into action
This week, I challenge you to take one small step. Whether it’s creating a blog post, researching your niche, or setting up an email list, progress comes from consistent action.
Hit reply and let me know what step you’re taking. I’d love to cheer you on!
Keep in mind that every entrepreneur starts somewhere with a dream, a bit of courage, and a willingness to take the first step.
To Your Empowered Success,
Janice
PS: Ready to take your next step with clarity and confidence? Let’s chat! Book a free discovery call with 'yours truly' at calendly.com/janicedugas, and together we’ll map out actionable strategies to move your business forward. I’d love to help you turn your goals into reality! 😊
