I’m amazed at how quickly these first 4 months of working for myself have gone. I feel like I’ve learnt so much in such a short space of time, I thought I would share my top 5 discoveries with you...
1. Starting a business in the midst of a global pandemic isn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Yes those first few weeks were probably the most nerve racking of my life but it’s actually been much better than I could’ve imagined! I think what’s happened has brought out the best in people and for small businesses there is so much support, help and advice out there. It feels like everyone wants small businesses to thrive and there is so much community spirit around it’s inspiring!
2. Online networking isn’t nearly as scary as I’d imagined. I eventually plucked up the courage and signed up to a couple of events. I was amazed at how friendly everyone was and I even made a few brilliant contacts which will hopefully lead to more work in time.
3. Working from home can be pretty lonely. When your used to working in a busy office, sitting at home all day on your own, it can feel like the walls are closing in! And instead of looking forward to being at home you can start to dread it. What’s helped is we got ourselves a puppy during lockdown. It’s been a massive adjustment to our lifestyles but the good thing is it means I have to get myself out and take her for a walk at lunchtime, which breaks up the day. At first I was working from our open plan kitchen and livingroom while we decorated our spare room and turned it into a home office. I moved in here this week and it’s helped massively having separate spaces to work during the day and relax on a night.
4. Being a freelancer I deal with my clients directly, I get to know them and their business in great detail and I find this is so much more inspiring and rewarding than when I worked for an agency. Waiting for feedback is 10x more nerve racking however, but then when the client loves the designs you’ve worked so hard on, the buzz is out of this world!
5. If anybody offers any help, mentoring, a spot on a radio show(!) say “Yes!”. In the past I’ve been guilty of shying away from opportunities incase I came across badly or I asked the wrong questions. But since setting up on my own I’ve realised shy bairns get nowt! If you don’t ask you’ll never know! And I’ve had some brilliant advice and opportunities because of it.
If you'd like to know more about my work or have a project in mind please get in touch I'd love to hear from you...
