Have you ever felt like a fraud in your own business? Like you're just waiting for someone to figure out that you're making it up as you go along? If so, you're not alone. Imposter syndrome is a common experience among entrepreneurs, especially when success comes quickly.
I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Tasha Smith, founder of Emerge Sales Training, who shared her incredible journey from a $1.4 million business to having to lay off her entire team.
Her story is a powerful reminder that even in our darkest moments, there's always hope and opportunity for growth.
The Rise of a Sales Training Empire
Tasha's business skyrocketed from $42,000 in sales during her first year to a staggering $1.4 million. It was a dream come true, but with rapid growth came unexpected challenges.
Despite her success, Tasha struggled with severe imposter syndrome. She constantly felt like she was "waiting for someone to figure out that I was just kind of making stuff up as I go."
This internal battle, combined with the pressure of running a fast-growing company, took a toll on her mental and physical health.
The Downfall
Tasha's business relied heavily on organic lead flow - word of mouth and business collaborations. When this stream of leads suddenly dried up, the company found itself in a precarious position.
With a $100,000 monthly payroll and not enough incoming business, Tasha was forced to make the heart-wrenching decision to lay off her team.
