I’m Really Good at Ignoring My Gut. PocketPeg Changed That.

Urgh, my anxiety has been running high. The impending launch of PocketPeg has my stomach in knots. I’ve had this lurking feeling for a couple of months about the business and the framework. One of the things that I excel in is not paying attention to my gut. This only happens with my Peggy Paul focused work, not with my employers, which tells you that I am a continued work in progress.

Did you know that humans are the only animals that ignore their instinct? Well, I am a pro. Not only do I have a Masters in Head Trash, I also am a master at ignoring my instincts. So much that it has hurt me, set me back, and kept me playing it small as a result. I am the queen of the Should Audit and I should all over myself ALL. THE. TIME. Hence my expertise in these areas (wink).

When I started my last business fifteen years ago, I remember thinking, many times, that this doesn’t feel right. I had brilliant mentors around me advising that I needed to build my business, franchise it and then sell it. From the books I had read from entrepreneurs, this seemed to be the mantra. Go big and then go home.

In my heart, I never wanted to sell my business. I was creating it because it was something I enjoyed, believed in, and wanted to build community around. Needless to say, I went through the motions of putting an elaborate business plan together with seven years of detailed financial planning, all the while, not feeling good about it. It didn’t feel right. Building a multi-million dollar company is not my desire. If it happens, great, but it’s not what I set out to do.

News flash, history is repeating itself - a little bit less this time around. I’ve had my business plan for PocketPeg in place for half a year. It’s a good plan and probably emulates a lot of online businesses. As I got closer to launch, the feeling of “it just doesn’t feel right” became impossible to ignore. There’s been a lot of work and expense put into this business, so I got on the “should” bus again, ignoring my gut. I should want to grow a large community. I should have this incentive to upgrade. I should be priced at X amount. Should…should…should.

I had a come-to-Peg moment last night. I thought, I’m doing it again. Is building a large online community what I want? Not necessarily. If it happens, I’ll happily roll with it. However, the reality is that I love working with women, getting to know them, being a life tool resource and a conduit to other women who desire the same thing.

I kept ignoring how much I love doing workshops, speaking, and facilitating real conversation. And I have a lot to say - not just about being a midlife woman. Team dynamics, leading authentically, engaging remote teams, rolling out initiatives statewide, building professional pipelines and personal relationships that stick, and the real talk of being a business owner. I’ve lived it, learned from it, and have thoughts. That’s where I thrive; and based on the feedback from attendees at past presentations, they see it too. It’s my sweet spot. I thoroughly enjoy being in a group where I get to know the individuals and cheer them on. Intimacy is appealing to me (I’m not a good networker, contrary to what a lot of people think). I’m not an arm’s length teacher, I like to walk alongside you, for the long haul.

PocketPeg is my home and I am welcoming you into my home. I don’t want any willy nilly coming over. I want women who seek similar experiences and share the same values: kind, open-minded, and real. I take PocketPeg seriously. Myself? Not so much. I have been penalized for giggling and laughing too much. Well, thank God I did as it got me here.

So, at the 11th hour, I let my tech support and VA know - we’re shifting a bit. The membership is going to look a little different, but what I’m most happy about is that I get to do what I love: building a community of cool women who desire authentic connection and real conversation. That’s my kind of people. Maybe yours too?

Gut resolved. I’m finally home. Welcome to PocketPeg.