Nothing beats unsolicited validation when you're not sure about that feeling in your gut. There's something inside of you that has become more of a push than a nudge, you know without a doubt that this is what you want to be doing... you're just not sure how to get there. Then you take that leap. You put something out there... a message, a post, a product (a podcast) and people reach out to you telling you they feel the same way! That's what happened for me with my last solo episode which was milestone episode 100. I had been thinking about what I wanted to do for that episode for a while. Part of me thought do a big party, live stream, celebrate... whatever. But it's not where I'm at right now and it felt like that would be forcing something or doing something because I thought that's what I should be doing for the 100th episode. I don't want to repeat everything I said in that post or episode, but the message that seemed to resonate with SO many people was when I shared that I was getting out of client services. I have to clarify also that I do have a couple clients I'm still working with and will continue to work with (in case they're reading or listening) but that's only because they're lovely people and I enjoy working with them. Other than that? I'm done. Here's the truth: I have yet to meet a freelancer who doesn't eventually want out of the client work. And... that makes sense! Not simply because there is a frustration level involved in working with clients (because we all know that could be a podcast in and of itself. That would also drain the life out of me and as much as my ego wants to rant, who needs more negativity, right?)... but because as human beings we're hard wired for more. Gone are the days of doing one thing for 30 years (and my guess is that even for the people who did that there was a level of boredom that sank in. They just didn't think they had other options). [Tweet ""I have yet to meet a freelancer who doesn't eventually want out of the client work." @kimdoyal"] We have SO many more options today. And maybe that's part of the problem? Seeing other people going for what they want... doing business the way they want to do business... you question why the hell you're not there as well, right? And I'm not talking about the side they share on social media (as someone who has actively participated in all of that I have to say I am really grateful to be on the other side. I still use social media but I don't get why people feel the need to broadcast every little thing they do. The armchair psychologist in me says there's going to be a bit of a crash for these people. What happens when the 'lights go down' so to speak. But I guess that's for another podcast as well). I received a handful of emails and comments about what I shared in episode 100. Which completely validated that I'm on the right path and headed in the right direction. Even if I've got a nervous pit in my stomach on a daily basis. I know this is something I've got to do. [Tweet ""Seeing other people going for what they want... doing business the way they want to do business... you question why the hell you're not there as well, right?" -@kimdoyal"] The Future of WordPress As A Business Let me get my crystal ball. Can you picture that? I've got my Madame Kim.... errr... Madame Chick turbin on, big chunky rings on my fingers and I'm gazing into a crystal ball. I rub my hands over the ball and give you a "hmm... very interesting"... O.K., I don't know where the bucket that came from, but I had to run with it. First, let's look at what I'm talking about when I refer to WordPress As A Business. These are the business types I'm referring to: WordPress websites WordPress maintenance / hosting WordPress training / teaching / documentation (general) WordPress specialty (think focusing on a specific aspect of WP, ex: Woocommerce, marketing, speed,