How This Woman Made The Leap From Regular Employee To Successful Entrepreneur

Holly never knew that she had an entrepreneur inside of her that was waiting to be unleashed, that is until something happened that forced her to make the leap to the challenging world of entrepreneurship.

Holly initially went to college to get her Masters and then ended up getting a great job. But even though she had a great job with good pay, she just knew deep inside that the nine to five life was not for her because she felt like she needed to have the freedom to do more of what she wanted. That’s why in 2013 she started a Direct Sales company to pursue her entrepreneurship dreams. At first, it was a part-time business but then as the business grew she realized that it could be much more. She was about to leave her job and focus on her business full-time when the company she worked for went under. She took this as a sign that she needed to focus on her business full-time, so she decided to start her own business. Thus, on the 22 February, 2017 Parties By Bellas was created. Parties by Bellas organizes adult parties that cater for many occasions including but not limited to: girls night in, boys nights in, birthdays, bachelor/bachelorette parties, bridal showers, new mom parties, fundraisers, theme parties and so much more.

StarCentral Magazine recently sat down with Holly to find out more about her journey to entrepreneurship and here’s what went down.

Could you please tell our readers a brief background about yourself and how you started your business?

My name is Holly, and I started off as many have. I went to college to get my Masters and then went directly into a great job. But, I just knew deep inside that the 9-5 life was not for me though. I needed to have my freedom to do more of what I wanted to do so in 2013 I started a Direct Sales company. At first, it was a part-time thing then I realized it could be more. As I was about to leave my job and do it full time, the company I worked for went under. When this happened, I decided not to find another company but to start my own one instead. And on 22 February 2017 Parties By Bellas was created.

Can you describe your journey to success? When did you start? Did you ever imagine you would become this successful?

In 2013 I joined an MLM company, and in 2016 I decided to start my own business. 22 February 2017 was the day I launched Parties By Bellas. Every day I wake up, and I still feel like I’m living a dream. I still can not believe I started my own business. It was not something I ever thought I would do it was an impulse decision.

What is your primary source of income?

My main source of income in my company, Parties By Bellas. When I decided to start my own business, I quit my job and told myself that if this is going to work, I need to put in 100%.

What are you currently doing to maintain/grow your business?

To continue to grow, I never stop meeting people. I go to as many networking events as well as vendor shows as I possibly can. Social media also helps me a lot when it comes to growing as well. I can get in touch with people all over the county. Considering it’s only a one-time investment of $99 to join Parties By Bellas and be your own boss it’s affordable for anyone to join.

How did your brand stand out from the rest of the other brands out there that is similar to your niche?

Other companies sell adult items similar to Parties By Bellas, but we are very different. We strive to make sure that we have items other companies do not. We have a saying “if we do not have it we will find something similar” we have an amazing distributor that helps us get almost anything a client has asked us for. We strive to create a fun yet comfortable atmosphere so people can talk about anything they would like.

What is the toughest decision you had to make in the last few months?

Luckily I have not had to make too many tough decisions. I am still new to this, and luckily I have many people behind me helping me.

What money mistakes have you made along the way that others can learn from (or something you’d do differently)?

The only thing that comes to mind is when I first started I leased an office. I should have waited before the first few months it was hard to pay rent due to most of the money coming in was going right back out. I guess I would say make sure when starting a business you decide what you really need vs. what you just want.

What have you learned in the process of becoming successful that others can learn from?

Since starting my own business, I can travel more and not have to worry about asking anyone to take time off.

What new business would you love to start?

I just recently decided to start an Event planning business. Parties By Bellas is my main priority, but I wanted to try something new.

If you could go back in a time machine to the time when you were just getting started, what would you do differently?

Absolutely nothing. Everything that happened along my journey to start my business is the reason I am here today.

Do you have any favorite business-related or personal development related books that you can recommend to other entrepreneurs?

Not yet but I am in the process of writing one myself.

What advice would you give to a newbie Entrepreneur setting up their first business?

Make sure that you do your research. Talk to anyone you know that has their own business. If you do not know anyone, then you need to find someone. Make sure you have a good business plan, and it is something you can commit to. And feel free to reach out I love talking to other entrepreneurs.