Taking the Entrepreneurial Leap|Jamila Souffrant from Journey to Launch - a podcast by Cody of Fly to FI and Justin aka Saving Sherpa
from 2018-12-11T08:00:43
In today’s episode, Cody and Justin bring you a really interesting story full of dynamics different than their own lives. Jamila is a mother and an immigrant and both of those parts of her story helped shaped her unique path to financial independence. She was heavily inspired by the strong women in her life who passed down the qualities of saving and hard work.
Jamila also has a natural gravitation towards entrepreneurship. Whether it was previous companies she has attempted, venturing into investment real estate at 22 in New York City, or stepping away from a safe corporate job to pursue Journey to launch, it's clear that she has a passion to be different and take control of her own path.
Episode SummaryImmigrated to the US at 18 months from Jamaica
She had a happy childhood in BrooklynHer mom had a large emphasis on education and reading
She also gained a lot of inspiration from her grandmotherHer mom didn’t really pass down investing but she did pass down the importance of saving
She talks about the importance of passing down grit and making her kids financially responsible even though they’re growing up in a more privileged upbringingFresh out of college she made an incredible real estate investment
She put down a down payment on a new condo build in the DUMBO district of BrooklynThe unit she got was $338k and required a $30k down
She lived with her mom for 2 years while the unit was built so she was able to save up the rest of the money she needed to close on the propertyThe unit is now valued closer to $680k
She tried starting a couple of small businesses including a magazine companyThen she started a standard job that came with a really long commute
Having children made her realize how important financial independence is to herShe had a little breakdown on the way home stuck in traffic which was her “Ah-ha” moment
After having three children she decided to step away from the standard workforce and go full-time entrepreneur through Journey To LaunchShe started Journey to Launch as a way to keep herself accountable
Her recommendation for entrepreneurs is to just start because she learned so much from her early business failuresFor her early retirement doesn’t mean not working just not making it through the corporate world
She is married and her husband still works which provides healthcare and the flexibility for her to build up her businessHer plan is to really focus on Journey To Launch and if it doesn’t work out after two years she would be willing to go back into her corporate work
She also thinks you should focus on increasing income and looking at your career to see if it’s better to avoid side hustles and spend that time to make promotions and bonuses or if side hustles are the better optionDrake’s plan “God’s Plan” was the answer to the wildcard question but you’ll have to just listen to understand why!
Key TakeawaysLearn from, improve on. We are often surrounded by people who influence us whether we know it or not. Some may be more obvious like parents but it may be a more obscure co-worker. It's important to always learn from them but then try to take it one step further and evolve their idea. Learn from them, but improve on their ideas.
Strengthen your"Side-Hustle Muscle". Jamila hasn't had every entrepreneurship venture succeed and she hasn't had everyone fail, but she has refined her skills with each attempt. It's like any skill or muscle, it needs practice and work. Find something low risk and just start practicing your side hustle muscle and see what you need to work on for success.Keep your motivation front and center. Jamila had that breakdown on the way home as she was stuck in traffic because it was keeping her from her kids. Too often we get stuck in a daze of the grind. We forget why we're doing it, what we're missing, or what we'd rather be doing. Don't obsess on the future so hard that you don'...
Further episodes of The Financial Independence Show
Further podcasts by Cody of Fly to FI and Justin aka Saving Sherpa