Finding Freedom
Career Change Takes the Cake — and Sells It
By Margaret Briller
Not everyone can imagine what’s beyond the horizon and make it a reality. Liz Rowan did and now enjoys the freedom and challenges of owning a business.
For much of her career, Rowan, 54, worked with a school system’s employees and students, helping manage their tech needs — database and equipment training for the staff, computer program lessons for the students.
In the back of her mind, Rowan knew she wanted to do something different — really different.
Rowan and her husband had talked for years about owning their own business, but the circumstances weren’t right for a change.
“Now, the timing seems to be right because our children are in their early 20s and moving into their own lives and getting less dependent on us,” Rowan says.
Hard Work, Sweet Success
“I wanted to do something that could use the skills I’ve accumulated through the years of working, being a parent, community member, etc.,” Rowan says. “Being my own boss and making the decisions for my business are important to me. I like having the freedom to be myself and to work as hard as I like and to see the results of that.”
In April, after months of planning and training, Rowan opened her store — a Nothing Bundt Cakes franchise — in Strongsville and never looked back.
She took a chance and embraced the freedom to make a change as an entrepreneur.
Assisting Rowan in growing her business is Dee Sweetnich, her bakery manager. Sweetnich helps her focus her energy on what’s most important at that moment when Rowan has 50 thoughts going through her mind.
“Dee has a different perspective on how things work, and that helps when I am looking at operational issues or how to handle guest service situations,” Rowan says.
On the Job Learning
“There are so many things I didn’t consider or think about until I started to set up my business, and it’s been such a learning experience,” Rowan says. “But if you want to grow and use your talents and skills in order to see your own results, I strongly agree that business ownership is the way to go.
“My kids have equated this process to being in graduate school. It only lasts a few years, and then you have a lot of knowledge to be successful going forward.”
Thinking About Breaking Free from Your Career?
Akron’s Norma Rist, who calls herself a “no-nonsense business coach,” offers these tips to smooth your journey toward becoming an entrepreneur:
- Prepare a business and marketing plan before you leave your salaried job.
- Meet with initial advisers — business attorney, commercial insurance agent, banker, intellectual property attorney and business coach — and review plans with them. Review financial projections with your CPA, and then relax.
- Talk with mentors who have made this journey.
- Be flexible about input from others.
- Find groups of business owners who meet monthly and join them.
Margaret Briller is a freelance writer and has been a business owner since 1998.
