15 Lessons to Share as a Women-Owned Business

Guest Blog by Rayetta Michael, Help in the Home

We love to see others grow in every area of their lives, and we can’t wait to see you succeed too.  Lessons are best learned when shared, so we are going to reveal our top 15 tips that got us to where we are today. It’s time to realize your value!

1. Servant leadership is the only way.
Our organizational chart places our clients at the top, staff below clients, leadership below staff and co-founders at the bottom. We don’t see how we could do what we do with excellence any other way.
2. Hire people who are smarter than you.
We are constantly patting ourselves on the back for hiring highly-skilled individuals. We learn something everyday from the amazing people who work at Help in the Home.
3. Foster collaboration instead of competition.
The metro DC area can be a breeding ground for competition. We have found that we thrive better on collaboration both internally and externally. 
4. Hire people with heart.
Working with individuals and families struggling with complex mental illness is really hard work. You have to love it to be good at it.
5. Running a business is a marathon, not a sprint.
Pacing yourself and remaining flexible in how you approach each new season of business is a lesson that takes time to learn but is key to avoiding burn out !
6. Have a growth mindset.
In order to maintain standards of excellence, you have to be willing to change and learn. That never stops and we instill this mindset with every person that joins our team. 
7. Start with gratitude.
We start our days focused on gratitude. We’ve found it’s the best way to stay grounded throughout the entire day and especially important on the hard days.
 8. Self-care is essential.
You can’t fill anyone else’s cup unless you’ve filled your own first. Take good care of yourself and it will reflect in how you show up for your clients and staff.
9. Vulnerability is strength.
It is common in our society for vulnerability to be viewed as weakness. However, we’ve found that incredible strength and growth comes from exposing and sharing our vulnerabilities with others. 
10. Trust, but verify.
It’s important to hire people that you trust, while maintaining a system of checks and balances that holds everyone accountable. This helps with ensuring the standard of excellence we strive for.
11. Don’t manage, lead.
When you hire the right people, they don’t need you to micro-manage their time. Lead by giving people the tools and support they need to be successful.
12. Diversity, equality and inclusion improves everything.
Full stop.
13. Presence is a best practice.
Be present.  Truly showing up for yourself, with your clients and staff is where the magic happens.  It takes practice!
14. Strive for excellence, not perfection.
Perfection is unattainable. Know that there are opportunities lying within mistakes. Embrace the struggle and see it as a gift.  
15. Infuse joy.
This is at the very core of Help in the Home’s mission. Take every opportunity you can to celebrate victories, no matter how small they may seem. Even in the most difficult times.

We wouldn’t be where we are today if we had worried about every little thing that was thrown our way. This is your reminder to not sweat the small stuff! You will find joy when you surround yourself with growth-minded people who are willing to have your back while stretching you to be your best. We hope you have gleaned some of the wisdom we have acquired throughout this journey to make your own path a little smoother.
​

About Help in the Home: Help in the Home strives to be known for their passionate approach and guiding motivation to add value to the communities we’re in. They believe in the importance of creating an inclusive community that provides housing and therapeutic support for people with severe mental illness– one where warmth, care, and support are present – is priceless. Co-founders Stacy or Rayetta would love to connect with you - e-mail [email protected] to learn more about their business model and how you can work together.