Transition From Comfortable to Passion

It's been a busy summer for sure. A summer unlike any other for the Williams family. After Kelsey created a summer bucket list, we've been slowly but surely checking them off. It's been fantastic, and I'll say that summer with a 2-year-old is amazing (and challenging... but mostly amazing)! Aside from checking off the summer bucket list, we've been working toward a big transition. As of tomorrow, I'm leaving my current job and partnering up with another Financial Coach and joining his established business (Strong Tower Consulting) to help individuals, families, and businesses see the bigger picture when it comes to their finances, through teaching, direction and accountability.

The Beginning of the End

It all started after being featured on the local news. We have known Justin Bennett for a few years, and Kelsey and I met with him twice as a financial coach to help us figure out a few things, and we had a great experience. I've also chatted with him a few times over the years trying to figure out how to work together in an online sense, but the timing never really seemed to be right.

But, after being featured on the news, they asked if we new any professionals they could interview and we gave them Justin's number. After the news aired, Justin and I got together once again to catch up.

We wanted to try to do a podcast or webinar together, but that's when the conversation went down a different road. I told him I was thinking of getting into financial coaching. Essentially we would be competitors, although while he has been working with a lot of local, Des Moines-area folks over the past four years, my focus is finding a way to best help this community online. I've heard your struggles (we've been there too), and I'd love to help! The problem has always been time. With a family and 40-hour work schedule, it didn't seem to matter how early I got up in the mornings or how many weekend nap hours I worked, I just wasn't seeing movement toward the goal. It's a lot of work to keep a blog going.

The Decision

Justin and I were meeting over lunch on March 4 when this all began. I remember the day, because it was the day before my 30th birthday.

The decision I made that day was that I would go through Dave Ramsey's Financial Coach Master Series. And as Kelsey and I talked about that, we knew we'd have to make some sacrifices to make it happen.

So, the "Finish the Basement" campaign was put on hold to save up for a trip to Nashville in June. But, from March on, Justin, I and our families have been praying for this transition. God didn't speak to us in a burning bush or anything like that, but over time, we got the sense we were supposed to work together rather than apart. So, we just kept meeting weekly over lunch to talk through details, visions, coaching situations, business opportunities, etc. When summer was in full swing, it seemed like we finally had a game plan for the big transition. And this Friday (8/29) will be my last day at the company I've been with for six years. It's pretty hard to believe that this is happening! The potential is exciting, and the unknown is scary, but we're trusting in the Lord that no matter what, he will be with us. It is really hard to leave a place where you are surrounded by great people. There was a tension between staying comfortable and pursuing a passion and it was weighing heavily on my heart.

A leap of faith for sure, but I'll never know if I can fly if I don't jump and spread my wings.

What's Coming Up

I have Labor Day weekend to enjoy my family before diving in next Tuesday! My commute will be a little longer, but still under 15 minutes. I'll have my own little office space, and a whole new work paradigm to get used to. No more steady paycheck, no more benefits, but being able to help others find freedom in their finances is most definitely worth it. I know what's it's done for us and many others.

We're currently working behind the scenes on a re-brand, so feel free to check out strongtowerconsulting.com now, and then wait patiently for the new site to show up sometime in September. (I know... the suspense!)

Strong Tower Consulting has a crazy schedule in September with events, meetings, strategy sessions, and coaching. We're super excited to get started and look forward to serving you however we can. Everyone can benefit from financial coaching, no matter where you are in your journey - we're here to help you turn your dreams to goals and walk with you to achieve your goals.

If you are in the Des Moines area, check out our workshop that we have slated for Wednesday, Sept. 24. And, we're also working on an online workshop as well for everyone else. Reach out if you'd like to talk about how I can help. Email me at eric@wordsofwilliams.com.

Have you ever taken a leap of faith? What helped you through your transition?