I had a fun meeting with my banker this week about buying a property for low carb retreats. ๐โฃ๏ธ Itโs been more of a long term plan, but the last couple of years has shifted everything around and opened up opportunities to do it much sooner โ which has me excited and inspired!
At the meeting I mentioned Iโve been in business 25 years this month ๐ and he asked me what I do. I was actually up for a bit the other day (finally!) so I shared my story on Facebook, and wanted to share it with you here as well โ because I enjoyed that discussion SO much. ๐
A lot of people already know that I work from home, and have asked what I do and also why I was always traveling so much. So hereโs the quick version of my history in business for youโฆ
I quit my last job and started from scratch back in February 1997, with nothing to my name but hopes and dreams + a husband and 4 kids.
Yes, 6 of us trying to make it on my one check of $6/hour. ๐ณ There was a lot of ramen, lol.
My first business was an electronics shop because that was my husbandโs trade, with an initial focus on computer monitor repair โ an untapped market back in the 90s. We started with no shop, no sign, no business cards, and not even a phone line at first โ nothing, and Iโd sold everything we owned at a local auction house to get us there: -0- (lol). ๐
We hit the streets and that did well, so I started a web development company that same year, moved us into a commercial building + later an office downtown for my coding and online marketing services. I expanded into on-site computer training classes, business consulting, mobile networking services, weekend LAN tournaments (computer gaming), etc.
Tech was HOT in the 90โs and I loved it!! ๐ฏ๐ I partnered with several wholesalers and was moving $30-$40k a month on eBay. Next I got certified through Intuit and offered on-site computerized accounting services + training to small business owners.
My husband left 22 years ago, but I continued on, making my business as flexible as possible from that point forward so I could be a full time mom.
I gave my husband the shop in our divorce, closed my office downtown, and moved to the lake โ out of the city where I could live a simpler life, run my business from home, and raise my kids.
Working from home wasnโt as widely accepted in the year 2000 (really: hardly at all!) so I kept that under wraps for years โ and showed up for meetings with clients when I had to, but mainly worked by phone & email with โa shhh! codeโ ๐คซ๐ with the kids.
Did I mention I had to homeschool for awhile, TOO? Ack! ๐ฌ
I transitioned out of tech services and into consulting for more flexibility, became the weekly feature on Entrepreneur Magazineโs first โinternet radio showโ (now called podcasts), and started my public speaking career (not exactly on purpose) and ultimately became an international speaker. โ๏ธ
I still do business consulting, training, public speaking & workshops. Iโm also a โprofessional bloggerโ. Iโve always loved to write, so I started that in I think 2003 โ officially.
Every now and then Iโll take on a marketing client or short contract, but itโs rare these days, and more for the fun than the money. Although the money is good, and I can make them more than I cost them โ and I donโt work cheap. ๐
At the core, I love everything marketing. But even more than that, I love being of service. โค๏ธโผ๏ธ
I love seeing people succeed, at anything, and I truly love getting to be a part of that.
Itโs been an amazing adventure, this 25 years in business. ๐ฏ๐ฅฐ
For the last 11 years Iโve also been hosting the free (and original/first) low carb challenge at 90DayLowCarbChallenge.com and sharing my keto lifestyle and weight loss journey with you here, which I also LOVE. I miss hosting the fun low carb meetups on my travels, and look forward to getting back to that someday soon. ๐ค
Iโm sure I left a lot out, but thatโs what I do. Usually in my pjโs or favorite sweater leggings and fuzzy socks. ๐งฆ This is me at my desk this week having an Almond Butter Brownie protein bar (my favorite) while I hop online to see who I can help & how.
I still love my work every bit as much as the day I started itโฆ if not ๐ฏ more!
* This is where Iโm getting the Perfect Keto bars 45% off, which is the best deal Iโve found: 45% off Perfect Keto snacks & bars. And we have a new discount code too, 20% off ALL products (collagen, the new cereal, etc) at: https://perfectketo.com/lynnterry Code: LYNN20 ๐ฒ
~
I probably should have mentioned I was self taught (ie winging it, aka flying by the seat of my burning pants ๐ฅ lol) because I was only 23 at the time and had no formal education or training. I didnโt even finish high school (not my fault, I tried). ๐คทโโ๏ธ
What about you? What do you do, or what are you passionate about?
If Iโm not working, Iโm happiest in the woods. Hiking & waterfalls are my thing! ๐ฆ
Going low carb and getting healthy is one of the BEST things Iโve done for myself. In the picture below, on the left I was about halfway through my weight loss journey and very proud of the weight Iโd lost already. But continuing on, getting stronger and leaner, allowed me to be more active and get out exploring โ and have WAY more fun!
To be honest, I struggled a lot on all my travels before I went low carb โ and not just because of the weight. Iโd usually have to fly in a day or two early so I could recover from the trip before being on my feet for a 2 or 3 day conference.
My legs and feet would swell terribly on flights, and I had chronic back and joint pain. True story: on one of my flights to Australia my legs and feet swelled so bad that they threatened (offered) to fly a medic in halfway over the Pacific. ๐คฆโโ๏ธ (I was really REALLY embarrassed about that)
Fortunately eating sugar free, gluten free & very low carb (keto) fixed all of my chronic pain & inflammation issues. Which was a huge perk! But alsoโฆ losing weight, not just being leaner but DOING it (setting a goal and reaching it!) gave me SO much more confidence and spunk. ๐
Honestly, I thought I was fine and happy and good all along. I worked really hard to create a business I enjoyed and to create a good life for my children, and I was proud of my accomplishments. Most of those though, were all about my clients and my childrenโฆ
Focusing on MYSELF and a personal goal for a change (getting healthy) opened up a whole new level of JOY that I didnโt even know I was missing. ๐
I donโt even know if I have a โrealโ before & after picture. I was already eating low carb in all of those ^ and avoided cameras at my heaviest. I really miss being that lean and active! Looking at these pictures again today REALLY inspired me. ๐
I have weight to lose again now after being sick for the last 15 months, but itโs not something Iโm stressing over at the moment. Iโm still eating low carb but my body is obviously in distress, so Iโm simply staying focused on rest & recovery for now.
I feel confident this mysterious weight gain will come right back off once Iโm feeling better.
Speaking of, I have to rest again. It was nice to be up for a little while a few different times this week! The last 6 months have been the worst (and scariest) thing Iโve ever been through โ and Iโve been through A LOT. I keep saying Iโm going to share more about that, but I just havenโt been up or able to write much lately. I feel like (and hope!!) Iโm on the better side of it now though. (fingers crossed!)
Thatโs the main reason I had the meeting this week by the way, and am moving forward with my plan to host fun retreats in the near future. Iโm thinking low carb weekends โ complete with cooking, snack swag, kayaking & hiking adventures. Plus writerโs retreats, business workshops, etc โ all the fun things I love so much!
I thought I was just going to recover and get back to my usual lifeโฆ but that may not happen. Iโm not sure Iโll be able to travel so much, spend days on my feet in heels, or do big (exhausting) events anymore. And maybe I donโt want to! So I decided it was time to plan, build and create a new future and different fun life. ๐
Iโm rather enjoying a slower pace of life this year, and have a whole new appreciation for the little things โ home life, quality time, quiet days, sunshine, great dane cuddles, my adult children, ALL of it. ๐ I expect Iโll recover well enough to get back to work full time, get back to hiking even, and I really look forward to ultimately hosting fun eventsโฆ and on my own terms this time!
I would love to hear something about you, and how things are going in your life right now.
I hope you are well and good, and excited about the future โ too!
Do you think youโd be interested in a fun small group style low carb weekend retreat, or at least fun social keto lunch/dinner meetings when Iโm back to traveling? I miss seeing everyone, so thatโs something Iโm very much looking forward to!
Best,
Lynn Terry
aka @LowCarbTraveler
p.s. My daughter and I both love the new low carb cereal from Perfect Keto. That just came out this week! We have a 20% off discount code: LYNN20, but you can also get their collagen protein keto bars and other snacks for 45% off at the second link below โ a better deal if youโre just buying bars. ๐ xo
๐ฒ 20% off ALL Perfect Keto products with code LYNN20
https://perfectketo.com/lynnterry
๐ฒ 45% off Perfect Keto snacks & bars:
https://www.travelinglowcarb.com/45off
My daughter is 25 now, and sheโs been staying with me and/or checking in on me daily this last 6 months. Iโm incredibly grateful for that, for her help and for the company. ๐ This has been SUCH a hard time and I feel very fortunate to have a good relationship with my adult children. And glad I dropped everything all those years ago (22!) to be the absolute best mom I could be. They were worth it!!




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Discount Code: LOWCARBTRAVELER

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I had heard some of your back story but not all this. What a history! Felt like an origins story.
So glad to hear you feel like youโre coming out the other side.
A retreat sounds so fun and what a great thing you get to just create a new fun life. I decided to switch up my business life list year and Iโm glad I did!
Wishing you continued healing.
Thank you, Angela! So great to hear from you. ๐ Iโve been really behind on messages and updates, so I have a lot of catching up to do.
Iโm excited to switch directions and work toward fun new different goals. Itโs interesting, lifeโs twists & turns, and how even the toughest phases can end up being the most positive turning point.
I remember talking some about the changes you were making too. So glad to hear youโre happy with how itโs going! I look forward to catching up more soon. ๐ xo
You are truly an inspiration and you should be very proud of your accomplishments. I am proud to be a part of this group and I sincerely hope that you feel better very soon. I am sure you will be successful in your new endeavor. Stay safe.
Thank you so much, Mary. I really appreciate your kind words, and Iโm glad you joined us too!! ๐ xo