On social media platforms, we mostly hear about the big entrepreuneurial success stories. But many projects are small and actually like it that way.
Entrepreuneurs have different circumstances, political views, or ideas about impact. I think the more we are transparent about our processes and choices, the less people will be intimidated to create projects and try new paths. There is no one way to do things and social and environemental sustainability and political coherence can be centered in an entrepreuneurial venture. Well, at least I think it can. That is why I am so transparent about it all.
Wether I want it or not, I am a business cis-woman. Because I derive my income from selling the models I create. BUT being in business is just a side effect of the project, as no institution or university was willing to fund it at the beginning.
So I started a business without wanting to and without following the rules and recommandations…and you know what? I don’t regret a thing. Because I did it the way that feels confortable TO ME. Even if it doesn’t make sense to others, it doesn’t really matter because at the end of the day, I am the one living with the consequences of my decisions.
So here it is. My recipe to be a reluctant and semi-successful non capitalist friendly business cis-woman.
Doing it alone.
I don’t really enjoy having a boss. I do not want to become one. As the project became bigger, I developed collaborations with people who have specialized expertise and we enjoy working together. When I have money, I ask for their help. When I don’t, I do it myself so I can scale up and down without feeling responsible for someone else’s income.
Over the last few months, as sales decreased, I had to lower my salary. I would never have done that to an employee. Working alone gives me flexibility and peace of mind. I might not grow big. But it was never the goal. And I sleep at night.
Only you know what you need.
When you start a project, everyone tells you that to have an impact you need to scale up and INVEST!…well… I have always refused to take a loan. I don’t spend money I don’t have.
This project was thought about as a kick in the hornet’s nest. It needed to be done, but no one would do it. It started with a 5,000$ crowdfunding. No one could predict where it would lead. It soon became a full-time job. But I do not have any life security, money set aside or a wealthy family.
So my unbreakable line was to never have debt.
This way, if it doesn’t work out, I can pull the plug, get a job and not jeopardize my future. And I have kept to it, which is why I sleep at night.
Never underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep.
Being part of a scientific community
Sometimes when you make things you can become the person who has got a company and tries to sell stuff. It is not me, and it is not what this project is about. It’s about pushing for a better knowledge of genital anatomies and sexual health AND translating it / mediating it so people who are doing the work on the ground (think doctors, nurses, sex educators, OB/GYN, etc) can access it. I can happily say that I think I have succeeded, as I developed very fruitful collaborations with researchers I dearly respect.
Self destruct and make everything available for free
Via a 3d database with the possibility of 3D printing the material. This was the idea at the start of the project. It still is. Something that is manufactured by hand in Canada will never be accessible to a lot of people in the world. Science should be accessible and have no paywall. This project goal is to be released into the wild and live its life and contribute to the world knowledge hub.
Once this is done and completed, the semi reluctant business-cis-woman will also be released out of her basement and embark on new adventures, very probably still in the field of sexual health.
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