By Ryan Stuart
What was she thinking? In January 2009, as the economy started to fail, Eve Lessard traded her steady job in a human resources department for self employment. She took a few months off and then in April started bHired.ca, a freelance HR firm, on a shoestring budget from her Montreal studio apartment. “I started from scratch. I didn’t plan a lot,” she says. “I’d saved a little money but not a big investment for starting a company. I didn’t even have a laptop.” In a work ethic that speaks of her self-employment acumen, Lessard has found a path to early success – from her kitchen table.
How did you decide to become a free agent?
My parents were both entrepreneurs. It sounds cheesy, but maybe I have it in my blood. In 2006 I wanted to do it. I lived in Calgary and I had an idea to recruit eastern Canadians to work for western companies. The timing wasn’t right. It never happened. I returned to Montreal and then last summer it came back into my mind. I gave my boss four months notice. I knew all my life I was going to work for myself when the timing was right, and the timing was good for me but not with the economy. [She laughs.] I didn’t know in 2008 that we would be in a recession. When it was time to leave my job [in January 2009] I thought ‘What did I do?’
Are you recruiting for western companies?
No, the economy isn’t good for it right now. I’m doing recruitment working with small- or medium-sized companies that don’t have HR departments or big companies that need help. I don’t want to be a placement agency. I want to do things with integrity, quality versus quantity. I want exclusive contracts with companies, but right now I take what people offer me.
What were your fears when you started?
I didn’t have one that kept me up worrying. I can – and have – changed my life in 30 minutes. I like adventure. I decided I’m going to do it and see what happens. It was a good time for me to try because I don’t have kids and I’m young.
What skills do you need to be self employed?
You need a thick skin. You face rejection all the time. I thought I had thick skin – when I worked for someone else I had no problem picking up the phone and asking for things – but now I find myself hyperventilating before making a call. You have to be okay with not being perfect. You have to stay yourself. I know I can succeed if I be myself. You have to be organized and manage your time. It’s easy when you work at home to start to do the laundry and a thousand other things instead of what you’re supposed to be doing. It’s hard to keep a schedule. I get up at 7 a.m. and go for a walk to get a coffee so that I feel like I’m going somewhere.
Do you have any home office guilty pleasures?
I love 3 p.m. during the summer. I can get up and take a one hour walk. That’s awesome. When I’m sick or hung-over I can stay in bed. I love that. I can go on a trip anytime; I don’t have to ask someone. I always felt like I was in a cage when I worked for someone else.
What’s the downside to self employment? Anything you miss from your 9 to 5 past?
I like to work in quiet, so I used to get really angry with my colleagues who were loud. But I miss taking coffee with colleagues and happy hour. I miss having a team. And I really miss having a boss who can answer my questions. I have lots of questions, but no one to ask.
How did you feel when you were suddenly working for yourself?
There’s nothing like that feeling when you get that first cheque. It’s awesome. I did something all by myself and really earned it. That’s the feeling I was looking for.
How will you know you’re a success?
By next year I’d like to hire someone to help me part time. The day I do that, when I have lots of clients, things are going well. U
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Category: Career Track, Entrepreneurship, Work
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you’re inspire me Eve!!!