Recently I've been reflecting on my journey so far, the highs and lows of starting my own business. I've decided to share my story this far, to help others that might be starting or tempted to start their own business.
My biggest takeaway so far - I thought I needed to have everything planned out perfectly before I launched, but that's not true - look how many small businesses have little business knowledge and just go for it. Whilst they may encounter their own unique issues, they've still managed to grow and thrive. Yes, have a plan but it doesn't need to be perfect.
Things never happen in the order you hoped, your business plan will change, your financial forecasting will change, and even the direction of the business might change, but you can prepare yourself and become resilient.
But, what about money?
One of my initial worries was the financial impact starting my own business would have on my family, we still have rent, utilities, subscriptions, fuel, etc to pay. I had no clients before starting and no guaranteed income. Whilst we had my partner's full-time wage, it wasn't enough to live on, how would we cope? These are the thoughts going through my mind.
Luckily we had a little money saved and with a small loan from a relative, I was financially secure for 6 months to make a go of my business, putting my all into it and not having to worry about the financials. I also ensured I kept any overheads to an absolute minimum, only paying for essentials such as insurance, a website, an email domain, and basic marketing materials. I keep costs low by keeping everything in-house from social media management and creating my own website to bookkeeping. However, you can absolutely guarantee I'll be outsourcing services when the time comes (there are so many benefits!)
Also, there are SO many useful tips and tools that are completely free, I've learned everything through free webinars and events by various organisations such as Business Gateway (free business advice), RBS Entrepreneur Hub, EventBrite and more.
How will I ensure a good work/life balance?
Being a parent is a full-time job in itself, and I worried about finding a balance between my responsibilities as a mother and a business owner. Whilst I've always worked full time, my hours have been set and out of work, I've dedicated time to my kids. Being as determined as I am, I worried that I'd end up spending every waking moment on the business, knowing how important it is that it's successful. Yet, self-employment has given me the flexibility to be present for my children, when they're home from school I know that's my few hours with them and it's real quality time. I can take a day off for appointments when they're unwell or just because I feel like it!
My biggest fear - not securing clients fast enough
My greatest fear was not securing enough clients, quickly enough. I'm not a natural salesperson, and the idea of convincing potential clients to come on board was intimidating. The first 6 weeks were very slow, in establishing my name and becoming connected, no one knew who I was, other than existing connections. I was beginning to wonder if things would ever hit off, and panic settled in, however, with a good support system around me, I was told to calm down, and things would fall into place. It's really important that you trust that, for some, it can take a week to land their first client, and for others more than 6 months. Your journey is unique to you, so my advice is not to compare it to others, do you.
However, I soon learned that my expertise in HR and the value I could offer spoke for itself, after all, people buy people, not the service/product. Building strong relationships and providing exceptional service were the keys to winning clients. I initially started a local networking group, attended various face-to-face events, and became well-connected in the community - my connections are always growing and each one is important to me.
Whilst it's still nerve-wracking meeting with potential clients, it's normal, it has to be done and it's part of my business. I truly love meeting new people and getting to know their business, particularly when the purpose of the business is something I'm passionate about. I'm transparent about my strengths and weaknesses with organisations I work with, I'm not a big corporation with 10+ years of experience running my own HR Consultancy. However, I do have a lot of business and HR experience, I will work tirelessly to ensure partnering businesses thrive and succeed.
Embracing the Freedom of Self-Employment
What I've discovered is that self-employment provides a unique freedom. My days are filled with the things I love and care about. On a typical day, I prioritise work when I wake in the morning before the kids are up as that's when I'm most focused, I tweak my plan for the day and catch up on emails and socials, whilst I have my morning coffee. I drop the kids off at breakfast club at 8 am and then crack on with work. I work through till 3:30 pm and then collect the kids and get started on dinner. Evenings are when I wind down, either by catching up on work or indulging in a book or movie.
I'm always asked how I manage to juggle everything, with studying too. I meal prep all our dinners on a Sunday and a pot of soup for lunches for the week. This really frees up so much time for me throughout the week. And, I work out either during my lunch break or when the kids are in bed. Lastly, I time block by planning everything into slots throughout the week, and when I know I'm less productive because I'm not motivated to do a task, I don't dwell, I move on to the next thing and come back to it.
My Advice: Organisation and Prioritisation
Key to this balance is being highly organised. A never-ending to-do list can be overwhelming, but prioritising tasks helps maintain focus and efficiency. I've learned to structure my day to accommodate work, studies, and family time, allowing me to be at my best in each aspect of my life. Never underestimate preparation!
In conclusion, the fears I initially had about self-employment have been replaced with a newfound sense of freedom, balance, and fulfillment. It's a journey that requires dedication, but the rewards are immeasurable. I've proven to myself that self-employment can be a harmonious blend of professional growth, family life, and personal well-being. It's a path I'm proud to walk, and I look forward to where it will take me in the future.
Keep an eye out for an update in a few months time!
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