We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Hamilton Schmid a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hamilton, thanks for taking the time to share your lessons with our community today. So, let’s jump right in – one of the most essential skills for unlocking our potential is self-discipline. Where does your self-discipline come from?
Self-discipline is one of the most, if not the most, critical skills of entrepreneurship. There is no boss reminding you to get your work done, there is no pay check that comes regardless of your effort that week, and there is no company holiday party to celebrate what you’ve accomplished at the end of the year.
It’s you- you remind yourself to get your work done, your work determines your paycheck, and the parties happen whenever you want.
And if you’re not able to be self-disciplined, it’s not going to work out.
Thankfully, self-discipline is woven into my being. I grew up with a mom who woke up before the sun to exercise and prepare her mind and body for the day as a working mom and a dad who built a business during late nights and early mornings while working a full time job during the day. Each and every day I witnessed self-discipline and over time, I watched my family reap the benefits of parents who kept going- even (especially) when it was hard.
Now, I start my days with movement (though not usually before the sun) and am building a business of my own. The self-discipline that drives me has grown out of the experiences of my childhood and my parents’ example; it is amplified by the women in my network.
My clients are female entrepreneurs (just like myself) who have the self-discipline to succeed in entrepreneurship. I am privileged to have a front row seat to not just their businesses, but their lives. I see moms working their travel schedules around school plays and wives getting dinner on the table after pouring into their business all day.
The inspiration of self-discipline around me is my reminder each day- you are capable of building the life you dream of if you are willing to put in the work.
And on the days when I don’t feel particularly disciplined, I tune into my mind, spirit, and body and do one of two things:
- I take the day off. As an entrepreneur, it’s essential to take a break when you truly need it. And thankfully, because I am my own boss, I take that time when I need it- without calling in sick or missing a day of pay.
- I go back to Matthew 26:41 where Jesus tells his disciples: “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” I ask myself— do I need a break or do I need to get out of my own way and let my spirit drive me. The truth is,most days I don’t really feel like getting out of bed to go for a walk, eat a nourishing breakfast,and dive into my work. The truth is also that when I wake up and pray for the strength to do it anyway, I am always glad that I did.
Self-discipline is a skill that everyone can work on and grow in. The examples around me have shown me what is possible when you put the work in, even when you don’t want to. I have seen the life that my parents, my clients, and now I am building— none of which would have happened without self-discipline and often a prayer for the willing spirit to keep me going when my flesh is weak.
One last thought: have a support system. Being an entrepreneur can feel lonely and it’s hard to avoid burnout. In my own life, my husband is my biggest supporter. On those days I need a break, he steps in. When I need some extra encouragement or someone to bounce ideas off of, he’s there to listen, validate, and talk me off the occasional ledge. Whether it’s a spouse, a bestie, or a fellow entrepreneur, it’s essential to have someone (or several people) in on the journey with you. Self-discipline goes a long way, but we can’t do it all alone.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Virtual Cornerstone provides communications management to female entrepreneurs.
What started as a side gig has quickly grown into a thriving business with a team of women supporting women. We’re the communication and administration one-stop-shop for women who’s business is ready to grow beyond just themselves. As an entrepreneur myself, I understand both the need to get support in order to scale and the vulnerability of bringing someone into your business.
That’s why we provide a true partnership for our clients. We learn their goals and vision for the business, strategize with them on the steps to achieve those goals, and participate heavily in the execution.
Services vary from client to client and that variety is part of what makes our work so fun! We get to create landing pages, design freebies, set up chat funnels, build social media assets, manage contracts, and on and on …
For a female entrepreneur who has grown her business on her own, we become the partnership that handles all the little details so she can do what only she can for the business AND be able to log off for dinner and not have to check back in after bath time.
Virtual Cornerstone has the great privilege of supporting the success of female entrepreneurs who are impacting lives through storytelling, clean living, community building, education, and more.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The most important qualities of entrepreneurship are hard work, self-discipline, and a willingness to learn. When I got my start as a virtual assistant, I didn’t even know what that was! I saw a need and decided I could figure it out. My commitment to working hard and learning as I went is how I’ve grown my business far beyond a VA side gig.
My best advice for anyone starting a business, but especially in the freelance service industry— stop waiting for the right time. So many aspiring entrepreneurs are spending their time and money on trainings, certifications, and getting everything set up. Nothing is going to happen if you don’t start doing it!
It’s essential that you just start, work hard, and allow yourself to learn along the way. And that self-discipline is going to be crucial to keep going, because it’s going to be hard. It’s also going to be so worth it.
Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
You know you can’t do it all anymore, but you’re scared to let someone into everything you’ve built. You’re extremely passionate about your business and the audience you serve. It’s going really well and leads are rolling in steadily. You’re excited to see the growth potential, but you also know you can’t sustain this growth by yourself for long.
You have one million ideas for your business and a big vision for where this thing is going. You work hard daily as a mom, wife, and business owner— all roles that you still feel you could be better at. But how can you do any more than you’re already doing every day …
Enter: Virtual Cornerstone.
We love women who work hard, respect boundaries, and are ready to take things to the next level.
It’s challenging to let someone into your business, and we get that. That’s why we want to know your vision and goals, so we can envision with you and strategize the best way to achieve those goals together.
Our ideal client knows her worth, understands the value in outsourcing, is ready for a team mate, and has a big vision for her life. She’s committed to reaching it, and we’re committed to being her side-kick along the way.
If you’re interested in starting or growing a virtual assistant business, check out our VA Mentorship Membership where I provide hands-on support and mentorship for growing VAs through weekly Q&A and monthly training: https://
Contact Info:
- Website: www.yourvirtualcornerstone.com
- Instagram: @yourvirtualcornerstone
Image Credits
Rachel Hughes
