I’ve been running my own business for about 18 months now, and, to be honest, I’m a completely different person now to then. So I thought I’d share a few of the things I’ve learnt along the way.
1. You don’t have to be all ‘corporate’ to get ahead
At first I thought I had to wear a suit to all meetings and events, couldn’t swear, and controversy was off the menu. Like client meetings when you have a ‘proper’ job.
Now I’ve built a brand on being loud, potty-mouthed and controversial. I’m not saying you should do that, but if that’s who you are, and you’re good at your job, then it’s ok to be yourself.
2. You can’t spend like you used to
Every penny is precious in those early days. Buying £400 jeans is a thing of the past – for now, anyway.
3. The only person you’re fooling is you
Stop making excuses. You may be frightened of failure; you may be frightened of success; but the only way to overcome those fears is just to get on with it. If the worst comes to the worst, and it all goes pear shaped, you can call it all an experience and get a proper job again. What have you lost? Nothing.
4. It’s ok to go to bed in the middle of the day
Or watch Jeremy Kyle, or sleep till 9.30. It’s ok to take a day off. You’re not a machine, you need to recharge sometimes, and with all the pressures you’re under, you are going to have ‘down’ days. Don’t fight them, give in and get back on the success trail the next day, fully pumped.
5. Brad Burton is always right
This can be infuriating at times, but it’s true. I do whatever [4Networking boss] Brad tells me to now, from getting a phone answering service to avoiding certain individuals. I know he has his haters, like all people in the public eye, but even some of them are hard pushed to deny this.
6. You don’t have to cold call
People like to tell you that cold-calling is just one of those unpleasant facts of life (or business). I have never made a cold call to win a new client, yet here I am, 18 months on, still standing. In fact, I think cold calling is too labour-intensive, if it works at all. You can build a business on networking, PR, social media and relentless self-promotion. So don’t sit there staring at the phone if you’re in mortal fear of making an unsolicited call, just work around it.
7. You don’t get a lunch break
I used to take my hour’s lunch break when I first started working alone. What’s that about? Let me tell you, lunch breaks, five o’clock finishes and free weekends are a thing of the past when you run your own business. But, on the plus side, you can go to the gym in the middle of the day to avoid the crowds, have a glass of wine while you tap away on your laptop at night and hangovers are much easier to deal with.
8. You will get there in the end
I didn’t used to believe this. The people around me told me, but I couldn’t see it. But now, you know what? I’m getting there.
If you graft, and you are good, you will get there. Just keep going.
