Today is my business birthday! Here's 6 things I have learnt along the way.

My first post on instagram was exactly 1 year ago today.  

Even though I’ve been in the industry 25 years, this is my first year working for me. I can honestly say I wish I’d done it sooner. I absolutely l love it.

It’s been quite the 12 months. I always say you really need to look back and reflect on how far you’ve come, you will always be surprised at how much you’ve achieved as it’s always more than you think when you write it all down.

I’ve worked with over 20 small brands, made some amazing new business pals,  co hosted my first in person retail networking event, launched a website, an ebook, a free guide to the golden quarter, launched 2 collaboration projects for brands, shown up consistently every week and put myself out there, pushed through comfort zones and here we are a year later!  It’s been hard work. Working for yourself is a roller coaster of emotions however the pluses far outweigh the minuses.  No more working to someone else’s schedule, working when I feel vibrant, taking breaks when I don’t. 

If I can do it, you can do it too!!

Here’s 6 things that I have learnt in my first year of this business:

Do your research - Crucial when starting out.  Lots of time spent thinking about what I wanted to do and why I wanted to do it. I knew I had the expertise but I needed to focus on how best to apply it to help people.

Know your ‘why’ -  I just knew I wanted to do something for myself and I wanted to help people. To make their brand journey’s more enjoyable, save them money from making the mistakes by using my knowledge gained over my time in this business and to show them that its all possible!

Start before your ready - Ah this is just so true, after a particular day last year I came home and had big chat with my husband he said why not use what you know to start a business? I hadn’t even thought about it but a lightbulb went on, ‘is this something I could do?’ ‘Doesn’t everyone know what I know already?’ When you are in the business with people like you, you don’t realise how much you know until you start helping others. That very night I started researching and putting together the outline for my ebook. I had no clue if I was ready I just started and put myself in the hands of the universe! I hired business coach found a website developer and joined The Coven networking group and just went in head first.

Be passionate about your work - I think anyone who’s work with me knows how passionate I am about product, I love the whole design process, seeing ideas come to life through good quality fabrics and workmanship. I also love talking to people and hearing their stories.  Watching other people succeed brings me joy.  The power of positivity is huge, it has a knock on effect to everything and everyone around you.

Network - It’s so important to talk to other people, especially if you work for yourself.  The Coven all female networking community has been amazing, I’ve met some fabulous women there. I’ve also literally talked to everyone I know, had numerous zoom coffee mornings and reached out to people I didn’t. I’ve made so many good connections this year. Without them I wouldn’t be here right now.

Myself and Sophie from BYR Collective at our first in person ration networking event - ‘Let’s get down to business’

Collaborate - Ahhh what can I say, I am a person who wants others to succeed, if they do, I do. A rising tide lifts all ships. I met from Sophie BYR collective and we knew immediately we would work together, we came up with the idea of ‘lets get down to business’ over lunch and our shared passion for food, especially desserts! We put on one of the first in person events after lock down, creating an inspiring evening of guest speakers, panel talks and networking for 30 small brands who have all since become friends.  It was the highlight of the year and I cannot wait for the next one!

If you need some help in your business to help you move forward in 2022 click here for my special anniversary strategy package. 

Limited to 15 spots for small brands to get clear on strategy for the new year.

I look forward to hearing from you! 

Clare

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