I know how it feels to be out on your own in business, scared to leave the security of the monthly salary, but believe me, with the right guidance, it is not a leap of faith but a confident stride towards doing what you love, and making a living from it.
My Story
I started my first business back in 2002 after being made redundant from my Design Manager position. Thankfully, I had had a side hustle since my school days doing bits of graphic design for my dad’s company and a few other local businesses. I managed to get a grant from the Prince’s Trust which enabled me to buy a mac, a printer and a tiny desk to put in the corner of my living room.
I designed a nice logo, a memorable business name (Bigger Boat – Yes from Jaws), and I had my personality (I await the inevitable cheeky comments on this). I am not an extrovert or an introvert really, I don’t naturally seek out interactions with others, but when I am in a situation where I can offer or receive help, then something switches. My wife says I am funny as I complain about being around lots of people one minute then I go into schmooze mode when I am in the company of others.
“I wanted to learn as much as I could so that I wouldn’t make the same mistakes again.”
I wish I had the knowledge and the tools I have now back then. I attended breakfast networking events that felt like being back at school and more like a cult than a chance to share knowledge and business. I managed to get enough work to pay the bills, but I was erratic. I had no real strategy or plan.
I developed the business moved into offices and even built a printing company alongside it, but again without any strategy. I found myself working non-stop and dreading to think what my hourly pay would have equated to. It wasn’t sustainable.
My circumstances changed and I needed job security and a regular paycheck. So, I went to work for what was my biggest customer at the time. It was safe, comforting but I wasn’t fulfilled, something was missing.
I knew that to get the freedom I desired I needed to go it alone again. But to get there this time, I needed a plan and a strategy. I started to read business books, marketing books, strategy books and psychology books. I listened to business and marketing podcasts every time I was walking somewhere. I invested in online courses on building businesses, brand strategy and marketing. I wanted to learn as much as I could so that I wouldn’t make the same mistakes again.
My new-found enthusiasm was clearly visible, I started telling others, people who knew someone starting a business, and found myself helping them with advice and guidance. I realised that I was doing what I love and feeling the rewards of helping others to do the same. The bonus, I got my finances in better shape, knuckled down, stopped needless spending and cleared most of my debt.
But best of all, I am living by my new guiding light: Working when I want, with whom I want, and working from wherever I want.
I now help start-ups and side hustlers who were just like me. I help them to build a business and a brand strategy that gives them the solid foundations that I didn’t have all those years ago so that they can do what they love and make a successful living from it.
