owning a business, unplanned.
If someone had told me a year ago that I’d be running my own business today, I would’ve laughed and asked if they’d mixed me up with someone else.
But when I was suddenly laid off last October, the idea of joining a different company to do more of the same didn't sound like much fun at all.
What made me stay in the corporate world was a sense of security, which disappeared the moment that unexpected meeting invite materialized in my inbox.
That’s how I entered my self-employed era, feeling somewhat relieved that it meant I wouldn't have to overwork myself just to be let go again.
The start was bumpy—the first draft of my business plan featured a whole section on entrepreneurial skills I was sure I didn’t have.
Then we decided to spend the winter in Bali, far away from everything that reminded me of who I was supposed to be.
Slowly but surely, I designed the foundation for a business that reflected my values, strengths, and the impact I wanted to have on those around me.
I read books I didn’t think were written for me and became ChatGPTs best buddy overnight—no one has been as helpful in decoding tax and legal bits so far.
Having a partner by my side who had been there, done that, especially back when the internet wasn't as much help, was a huge bonus.
I’m incredibly grateful that I had the privilege of starting something from scratch—with the most supportive community and a reassuring financial safety net.
And now here we are. I’m working with kind, talented people to help them bring their dreams closer, and my job description keeps growing by the day.
the wholesome growth club is a coaching practice, but most of all, it’s a concoction of compassion, inclusivity, and genuine connections.
This journey has been wonderfully overwhelming and scarily rewarding, making me unlearn and redefine everything I thought success meant to me.
But I wouldn’t have it any other way, and maybe that's why I'm even more appreciative of this little business of mine, because I never saw it coming.
about the author:
Hi there! I'm Silja, the founder of the wholesome growth club, an inclusive hub for career coaching with a soft spot for introverts and perfectionists. I’m an Amsterdam-based expat, but I love connecting with people worldwide. With a background in recruiting, I know the struggle of crafting a career path that feels truly yours. At the wholesome growth club, we're all about fostering sustainable growth, meaningful engagement, and authentic connections. Our blog is dedicated to making coaching accessible and sharing insights to approach work and life with an extra dose of confidence, slow productivity, and self-compassion. If you are curious to make things happen for yourself, get in touch—we offer personalized coaching journeys that will get you closer to your (dreamy) goals in no time.
