8 years of running my own business. What have I learnt?
I have recently rebuilt my own website with updated service offerings and a fresh clean look - and it turned out to be a bigger job than I thought! With the launch of Squarespace’s 7.1 platform a year or so ago it seemed a good time to take advantage of the new features and tools it offers. When re-designing a website that has housed content you use on a daily basis for running your business for the last 8 years - what to keep, what to chuck and what to repurpose it really gets you thinking about your service offerings and clients.
My service offerings over the past 8 years have remained fairly similar, the main change is that I have worked out what I enjoy doing and what works well for my clients, rather than what I think I should be doing because other in my industry are. The years have given me confidence to say yes to projects that I might be a little intimidated by and no to any that I don’t think would be the right fit for me and my work-life balance.
These past 8 years have been busy to say the least - a move to a new part of the country where I didn’t know anyone, meeting my husband and getting married, a puppy, a new house move, two children (now aged 1 and 3) and however many lockdowns, all the while keeping my little business going!
I’m often asked by friends who have gone back to the work place once their children are in nursery, how I manage to motivate myself to work with other life commitments? I wouldn’t be able to do it if I didn’t enjoy it. Turning my laptop on once the kids are at nursery or asleep at the end of the day would be challenging if I didn’t enjoy what I was doing and that’s why it’s important that I’m selective about the projects I take on.
When my business turned three years old I wrote 10 tips for starting your own business. I recently re read them and they remain the same. I hope they are helpful if you are thinking of setting up your own business.
If I can be of any help to you and your business with website design, marketing or design services - please drop me a line.
My top 10 tips for going it alone:
1) Have a plan. It doesn’t need to be a complex document with your predicted 5-year deliverables but do get onto one side of A4 what your business is, who your clients are, what services you will offer and what your customers will gain from working with you.
2) Start talking. You may be able to write down what your business is all about but being able to succinctly encapsulate your business and objectives in a few clear sentences is a skill. This is your elevator pitch and it takes practice! Chat to your friends and family first, then branch out to people who don’t know you as well. It will help you hone it down and work out what works and what doesn’t. It’s a matter of saying it out loud which can be scary!
3) Be clear and open. When working with clients, problems can occur when a plan hasn’t been put in place to manage their expectations. Are they on pressing you about delivering a project when you are nowhere near getting the first draft over to them? This is most likely down to you not managing their expectations from the start. Create a time line and let them know about each stage of the project. Drop them an occasional email to reassure them that you are working away and that you are on track to deliver. If possible, overestimate how long a project may take and deliver it early!
4) Be kind to yourself. Realise that what you are doing is new and you will make mistakes. Hopefully they will just be small, but you’ll always be able to learn from them!
5) You can’t be an expert at all elements of running a small business. Understand what you are good at and what services or support you will need to outsource. I could buy the tiles and equipment to redo my bathroom, but it doesn’t mean I’m going to do a good job. I’d have a much better bathroom if I got an expert in to do it! When running your own business time is precious and you need to concentrate on what you are good at and outsource what you aren’t, there is no shame in it. Sometimes you need to invest to move forward.
6) Keep learning. Now that you work for yourself you aren’t going to have the luxury of being sent on training courses to keep yourself up-skilled. There are plenty of free resources out there to take advantage of. You may need to pay for a few elements to get you off the ground, but don’t rush into it. Consider what value they will bring, and whether they’re worth the investment.
7) Work hard and don’t expect handouts. Remember, it has been your choice to become self-employed. There may have been circumstances that forced your hand, but that will never be a reason to feel that you deserve any special treatment. All too often I speak to despondent folk who are self-employed who feel they deserve a handout because business isn’t going well. I get requests for discounts from my services because they are a startup. Sure, there are funding bodies out there that might be able to support you, but it’s not always the case.
8) Number seven but in reverse! Because you’re new to being self-employed doesn’t mean you should charge your customers less than what you’re worth – and it doesn’t mean you should give out freebies either. Figure out your pricing and why you charge that much, and don’t devalue your product or service.
9) Keep adapting. Hard work and constant evaluation and adaptation of your business is key. It’s the only way your business will grow and develop. Don’t feel that you have to rigorously stick to your initial plans, if you have tried it and it isn’t producing the results you need, move on!
10) Be kind and polite. It sounds simple but remember your manners. Reply to emails in a timely fashion, be on time for meetings (even Skype calls!), don’t make excuses as to why you haven’t met expectation e.g. “I’ve been really busy with other clients...”, manage expectations and support your peers – your small business network can be a life line.
11) And a last extra point – have fun! I love being self-employed. As long as you manage your time well and work had you can really make the most of the time you have and be flexible. Go on dog walks, spontaneous trips to the beach, a lunch time bike ride and meet with friends. You are your own boss so make the most of it!
