If you follow me on Instagram, you will know that this week has been all about celebrating my 40th birthday! I've not only celebrated with my real life family but also with my incredible Instagram family in true small business style with freebies, discounts and of course, the launch of my new small business podcast The Growth Addicts Podcast - along with a competition to win £40 hard cash to spend on your own business. Head to the gram to check out all of this week's goings on if you're not up to speed.

So today, Friday, is my last 40 themed bit of content and I thought I'd share 40 things I've learned in business.. so far.. because I don't know about you, but every day in business is very much a school day for me, even 10 years on!

So, here goes:

1. A client will become a friend before a friend becomes a client

2. Knowing your ideal client is essential

3. The images you use to promote your business are so important

4. Being self employed is not an easy gig

5. Income will, and does, fluctuate

6. You can grow a business solely from Instagram

7. Being self employed is a passion that can take over your life, if you let it

8. You have to have boundaries between your work and personal life

9. It feels damn good to know that you literally earn every penny you make

10. The pride you feel from your business is pretty incredible

11. You are setting an example to others who may have dreams of self employment they thought impossible

12. You have to put yourself out there whether virtually or in person

13. You really don't have to go to face to face networking events, if you don't want to

14. Your logo is not as big a deal as you think it is at the start

15. Your business will most definitely change as time goes on and that's a good thing!

16. Time management is important

17. Everything you do should have a strategy behind it

18. Social media for business is an incredible, FREE, resource

19. Friends and family might not "get" what you're doing

20. An email subscription list really is a valuable asset

21. You can follow dreams in self employment you didn't even know you had

22. The flexibility of being your own boss is second to none

23. You really do have to enjoy what you do

24. If your current business plan isn't working, change it

25. Being your own boss is just straight up cool

26. You have to be able to hold yourself accountable to your goals

27. You cannot treat your business like a hobby if you want to make money

28. You have to show up, and keep showing up

29. Being self employed is not easier than being employed

30. But it is better than being employed

31. You have to keep up to date with your industry

32. You have to build a community if you want to make sales

33. You still have to invest (time or money) in training and keeping up

34. Collaborating is powerful

35. Having industry friends helps with the lonely times

36. If you really want to completely fly solo, and not network, you can but it will take longer to build your business

37. You can start a business on £0

38. A business plan on start up is good, but, done is always better than perfect

39. Don't be afraid to ask, anyone, especially the people you look up to

40. Working from bed is the shiz

Phew! Turns out 40 things is a lot but, that was surprisingly easy! Still so much to learn though, maybe I'll add one every year on my birthday.

Which ones can you relate to most? Let me know, share it on Instagram and tag me so I can give it some love and a share. I'm @amandahughes.uk

If you've not quite had enough of my ramblings for one day, why not check out episode 1 of my new podcast, The Growth Addicts Podcast where we are addicted to small business growth!

In episode 1 I'm sharing "My Top 5 Tips to Grow Your Instagram Following.. Today!" Tune in wherever you get your podcasts, and don't forget to leave a review and enter the competition!

Speak soon,

Amanda