I want to be an influencer… not on the internet, but to my wife and kids.
Greg Tosi worked in IT for 20 years. At first he loved it. “Write code to make computers do stuff to help people and simplify their lives? Heck yes”. But over the years the politics, bureaucracy, and red tape of Corporate America wore him down. The last 5 years were miserable especially, as my tolerance for these inefficiencies was being depleted, and my desire to do something on my own was increasing”.
So starting and after scaling an advertising business for a few years, he decided to make the leap into full time. For Greg, it was both wonderful and difficult at the same time. There were many mindset shifts that took place before, during and after that leap. “It’s an entirely different world, but it’s a world you get to create, build, dream, and live in. One that I feel alive in! Something lacking for most of my corporate career”.
Lessons Learned
Like many entrepreneurs, Greg tried to be all things to all people. He was content rich and execution poor. He spent a lot of time planning and in retrospect he should have just jumped in with imperfect action. Greg wishes he had niched down sooner. “Pick an in demand niche. Focus on that and become amazing at it. Find 2-3 communities to grow and serve in. Nobody is ‘self-made.’ Without many partnerships and friendships built over the formative years of my business, I’d have never been able to make the leap.” The 48 Days Podcast by Dan Miller and Mindset (book) by Carol Dweck were key resources for him making the escape from the 9 to 5.
Today Greg enjoys time, location and financial freedom. But most of all he enjoys being able to work from home and watch his boys grow up. Still, that freedom often turns to distraction. The dreaded Shiny Object Syndrome. “My industry moves at a fast pace. Staying focused is essential. And also staying in your lane. That is, finding what you’re excellent at, and also what is draining to you, and outsourcing the latter whenever possible.” Greg also recommends finding a supportive community to surround yourself with. “Find people who want to become an entrepreneur, people in the process, and people who have done it. You NEED a network.”
Catch up with Greg Tosi on his website – https://www.gregtosi.com/ or his podcast with the catchy name – Cutting Corporate Ties.
