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:
A client will become a friend before a friend becomes a client
Knowing your ideal client is essential
The images you use to promote your business are so important
Being self employed is not an easy gig
Income will, and does, fluctuate
You can grow a business solely from Instagram
Being self employed is a passion that can take over your life, if you let it
You have to have boundaries between your work and personal life
It feels damn good to know that you literally earn every penny you make
The pride you feel from your business is pretty incredible
You are setting an example to others who may have dreams of self employment they thought impossible
You have to put yourself out there whether virtually or in person
You really don't have to go to face to face networking events, if you don't want to
Your logo is not as big a deal as you think it is at the start
Your business will most definitely change as time goes on and that's a good thing!
Time management is important
Everything you do should have a strategy behind it
Social media for business is an incredible, FREE, resource
Friends and family might not "get" what you're doing
An email subscription list really is a valuable asset
You can follow dreams in self employment you didn't even know you had
The flexibility of being your own boss is second to none
You really do have to enjoy what you do
If your current business plan isn't working, change it
Being your own boss is just straight up cool
You have to be able to hold yourself accountable to your goals
You cannot treat your business like a hobby if you want to make money
You have to show up, and keep showing up
Being self employed is not easier than being employed
But it is better than being employed
You have to keep up to date with your industry
You have to build a community if you want to make sales
You still have to invest (time or money) in training and keeping up
Collaborating is powerful
Having industry friends helps with the lonely times
If you really want to completely fly solo, and not network, you can but it will take longer to build your business
You can start a business on £0
A business plan on start up is good, but, done is always better than perfect
Don't be afraid to ask, anyone, especially the people you look up to
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
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