Anyone who works for themselves is bound to understand the familiar feeling that is one’s own company. So every now and then, I take myself and my busy workload, off to a local cafe (which usually ends up being either The Bull Hotel for their Pain au Chocolat and free wifi, or Symondsbury Kitchen for their hot chocolate and free wifi) and spend a morning getting all the little things done that I need to get done.
Yes, I do it for the hot chocolate. Yes, I do it for the nibbles. But – there’s such a bigger reason why I do this. Company.
You see – working for yourself invariably means you are so busy getting things done, and looking for the next opportunity – that you forget to look after yourself – and sometimes, all you need is some inspiration from other creatives doing some impressive things.
So that’s what this is about.
We’re organising a get-together for anyone and everyone who is a freelancer or self-employed, and who – like the rest of us – enjoys meeting up with other self-starters for a cup of tea and a chat. There is no agenda – no plan – just a simple Let’s have coffee and see where the wind takes us.
We believe in purposeful coincidence – and you never know who you may meet – or where you next business lead may come from.
When: Friday 29 July, 10:00
Where: Bull Hotel Bar, Bridport
Bring a friend. Bring your work. Or just bring yourself.
Please RSVP if you’re keen by popping me a quick email – so that I can give the Hotel the heads up.
Almost 2 months ago, I left the corporate life. The corporate world of which I have been a part for over 13 years. More than my entire school career. So, pretty much the biggest chunk of my life so far.
I took a risk and decided to do something brave. I decided to give it a go. With one hand in my husband’s I took a leap and decided to dedicate myself, fulltime, to Fresh Brew Marketing. And here I am – still going.
Sitting at my desk, while pondering my short journey so far, in between Social Schedules and event plan layouts, I, for some strange reason, started scrolling through my friend list on Facebook and it dawned on me just how many there are of us who have taken the same leap of faith – and given it their best shot. Believed in a cause so much, that they dedicated their lives to it.
Some made it. Some are making it. Some didn’t quite get there. But that wasn’t what caught my attention. What had me pausing over my cup of Alta Rica, was the fact that we’d all done something so brave – which many people never, in all of their lifetimes, get to attempt. Who cares if we make it, or if we don’t? Who cares whether we become the Next Big Thing or not. What matters is that these people have stood up and said, “I believe in myself enough to put my life into my own hands, and give this a go”.
And so for a minute, I was filled with such pride to be among peers who have demonstrated bravery, determination and a sense of self-belief that has taken them to the other side of the employment table. For a minute, I was completely overwhelmed by the strength that we as an unintentionally-united group share, and I realised the power that I hold in my hand – to be able to share, spread the word, encourage and support – these brave men and women who are not making a fuss, but just getting on with life and doing what they have dedicated their lives, and some the lives of their family, to doing.
So – next time you see one of us share a blog on our Facebook wall, or a photograph of what we’re getting up to, or we ask you to “spread the word” – know that it’s not just something we say to sound hip and trendy. We genuinely want you to help us grow and develop. We genuinely want you to tell people about what we do. We genuinely want you to think about how YOU can help US in your own business.
And to those amazing customers and clients who have believed in the ability of Fresh Brew Marketing, and the ability of Katy Roberts – I am forever thankful.
So – in the spirit of sharing and spreading the word – next time one of your mates shares a post from their business blog – just click share.
To all you self-employed superheroes, my hat is suitably doffed.
Being a self-employed Marketer – I’ve realised that being able to grow my new fledgeling business has largely, for me, been about Community.
Those who I know. Those who I am yet to meet. Those who know me who know others. Those who talk to people about me. Those who don’t know me yet, but that I have on my list to meet.
My favourite quote has, for most of my working life, come from the poem Ulysses by Alfred Lord Tennyson. He writes about moving on – he writes,
Yet all experience is an arch wherethrough
Gleams that untravelled world, whose margin fades
For ever and for ever when I move.
How dull it is to pause, to make an end,
To rust unburnished, not to shine in use!
But that’s not actually my favourite part. My favourite part is the line “I’m a part of all that I have met”.
You see – I’m a firm believer in the fact that your community – be it your immediate working environment, where you live, where you go to school, your gym, your local fresh fruit & veg grocer, the little lady you bump into in the mornings while you wait for the bus – are all part of this great big journey we call life. And before I hastily run away on my philosophical horse, let me bring it back to the case in point. Self-employment.
I’ve recently had the wonderful opportunity to get back into my local community – and pick up commitments and engagements that kept me intrigued before heading on to new corporate pastures. I’ve had the opportunity to re-discover online networks where people, not too dissimilar to myself, are looking to grow their businesses, expand their profiles, and grab this thing we call The Gig Economy with both hands and succeed.
So this evening, that’s exactly what I did. Between updating profiles on freelancer websites, and joining expat forums – I soon felt part of a brand new community of the self-employed – who are all focussed on 3 things:
And what’s even more encouraging are businesses who are actively adapting their business models – and grabbing this new way of working – and respecting skills and talent – not business names and brands – to get the real success that they’re after.
And that’s encouraging – no matter who you are.
Working for yourself does allow some perks. Non-location-specific working. So this morning, I headed out to one of my favourite haunts in Bridport, Dorset and made myself comfortable at The Bull Hotel – with their great coffee, smooth tunes, and roaring fire. It’s April, and it’s freezing.
But that’s not what I wanted to talk about.
This wasn’t a purely social outing – it was a business meeting with local well-known photographer Faye Neal (check out her Facebook Page here). With both of us heavily involved in the annual Buckham Fair event that takes place in Beaminster every year, it was time to get together to talk about all things Marketing – and how we can raise the profile of the event even more.
It didn’t take long and we were blasting through ideas and jotting down lists of things to do / setup / create / talk about.
But what struck me, is that once again – I was sitting across from a professional who had decided to take the leap, and do her own thing. And as we shared ideas and tips together (her with photography tips for me, and me with social media tips for her), I realised that so many of us sit with a very similar thought, at some point in our lives. The thought that we’d like to one day do our own thing. But very few of us take that step. We like the security. We like the routine. We like the safety.
I’m still new in my game – but so far, I can only say that, albeit sometimes hellishly scary, it’s just pretty damn exciting.
Don’t get me wrong – I find myself working twice as hard as I ever did before – establishing my own routine, giving all my clients and commitments the time I’ve promised, thinking ahead to the next avenue of business when this project comes to an end, not getting drawn into those moments when business isn’t forthcoming. But, just like Faye, I knew I had a talent somewhere. And forming that into a business that people would actually want to pay for was the key. Once I’d done that – I was on my way. I still am. I am not 100% there yet – but I’m moving. And that’s all that counts right now.
I’m so incredibly thankful.
Perhaps working for myself wasn’t as hard as I thought?