In my first year of freelancing I really enjoyed sharing monthly updates detailing my freelance goals, successes, fears and failures with you guys. We had some honest conversations and I got some really great feedback from other designers, photographers and artistpreneurs embarking on their own freelance adventure.
Then in August I started up my own business with my sister called Braid Creative & Consulting. Though I've been blogging over at Braid but I haven't shared the underbelly of the experience - and how it differs from freelancing. About how my life has changed and what has stayed the same. I'd love to chat with you all about it today.
• I get dressed more often
I was totally slacking and wearing sweats or workout clothes 90% of the time before I partnered up with my sister. Now we have lots of meetings all the time. So I'd say I get dressed and put on makeup 4 out of 5 days of my work week.
• I don't Tweet as much
I just feel like I don't have as much to say in 140 words anymore. But I miss the abbreviated banter and witty conversations.
• I work more weekends
I thought I was busy before I started Braid - but I had no idea. Deadlines are tight and there are only so many hours in the day. This means working on the weekends from time-to-time. However, I never email on the weekends.
• I don't work evenings
I'm trying to stay diligent about shutting it down by 5:30 or 6:00PM.
• I still workout almost every day
My workouts will always be my most important meeting of the day.
• I'm more accountable
Working with a business partner and for larger organizations (and larger fees) means I'm more accountable to my deadlines and to continuing to push myself as an expert in my field.
• I'm getting smarter
Partnering with Tara has really pushed my level of thinking, strategizing and planning to a whole new level. It's not just about design anymore. A lot of my job involves writing and consulting and lots and lots of thinking.
• I make more money
That's nice (really nice) - but right now my time is more valuable than cash. So that's a balance I'm trying to find.
• I have a business partner
Tara and I have this saying where it's not like 1+1=2. For us it's more like 1+1=6 - we're catalysts for each others growth and sometimes that comes with growing pains. But most of the time it means having someone to say "Can you believe we're really doing this?" to.
• I have an employee
That's right. The ink isn't even dry on the deal but we just hired a part time employee. Tara and I will still be doing all the heavy lifting (designing / writing / etc.) but we need someone to help tackle the insane amount of work we've managed to pick up.
• I have a life coach
He helps me navigate the choppy waters (and emotions) that come with being an entrepreneur and holds me accountable to my goals. He also has a good laugh at me and gives it to me straight when I'm acting a fool.
• My job feels more like a job
Mondays feel like Monday and Saturdays feel like Saturday.
• Capturing, Shaping and Sharing is still my biggest priority
Everything I do - from personal to professional - involves capturing the details, shaping them to tell a story and then sharing it with the world. It's cool to integrate my personal philosophy into my professional process.
it's nice when things really start to fall into place isn't it? sounds like this is totally happening for you. it's funny when you see bloggers that you've been following for awhile go through changes and you get happy for them, isn't it? glad to see this is happening for you miss.
ReplyDeleteYou're just amazing. I can't even remember how I found your blog in the first place (APW maybe?), but I've been reading it for quite some time. I'm not an artist or an entrepreneur, but I love to read your blog, especially your business posts. You're a true professional! It's so great when people find passion and purpose in their work; so many of us don't have that. Oh, and I LOOOOOOOVED your post about Nepal. Amazing! Anyway, I'm a long time blog lurker and just had to let you know how much I love this space. Best of luck at Braid!
ReplyDeleteTaking over the world one brand at a time!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your employee and Braid in general! I follow the Braid blog, it's interesting and some stuff is applicable even to non-creative professionals like myself. As just a reader, I'm still not super clear on what Braid does... advises/consults on how to run a creative business? and/or does branding for creative entrepreneurs? I've answered my own questions, but for some reason I still don't understand... I guess I'll just blame it on my fried after-work on a Monday brain.
ReplyDeleteCarly - Things are definitely falling in place. But I feel like I'll still need a few more years until I'll feel really settled and secure in my role as an entrepreneur. Thanks for rooting for us. :)
ReplyDeleteKelsey - I love that my business posts appeal to people not even in a creative career path! Thanks for you comment - feel free to say hello any time!
Francine - Woot!
Vanessa - I know. It's a little confusing only because we really have two different things going on.
1. We do branding & consulting for all sorts of organizations that need their brand defined and / or clarified. This includes design, writing and implementation of tactics like brochures, tradeshow booths, videos, commercials, etc. (Though, we try to stay away from advertising). But we also do smaller scale branding for other creative professionals and microbusinesses - like a logo and web design.
2. We found that because of my J&K following we're attracting a lot of creative professionals that want to know how to start their own creative business. We're almost like creative directors for hire - so while we're really helping to uncover and weave an authentic brand - the byproduct is business clarity as well.
We'll be doing a few more posts and videos (soon!) to help explain & clarify what we do and how we're hired.
So happy for you! Now when I see some great start-up businesses that need a little help, in my mind, I day dream of going over to them and telling thme about Braid! Ha! : )
ReplyDeleteYou're such a great female inspiration! Badass and driven and so, so, so inspiring! Thank you for sharing your journey with us. I'm not in design or even sure I'll ever need *branding* in my lifetime but I'm so totally amazed by everything you do. I take *real* stuff away from these posts for my own life. Thank you, thank you! xo
ReplyDeleteIt is the most wonderful thing in the world to be able to say that everything you do, "from personal to professional", is gelling as a single vision. I hope to have that at some point, and in the meantime will curb my desire to drool with jealousy over such an intangible thing. Or maybe you're cool with a little drool.
ReplyDeleteI am always so amazed by the clarity and conciseness of your goals and reflections. You seem to have such a clear sense of what you want and what you are working on/working towards. Sometimes my brain is just so jumbled with thoughts/goals/worries/wonder that I don't even know where to start with the career path. You are always inspiring!
ReplyDeleteAnnnddddd, cue: tomorrow morning's post. WAVELENGTH my friend.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update. This is all so good and so inspiring. Congrats on your success so far! xo.
ReplyDelete"Mondays feel like Monday and Saturdays feel like Saturday." I have to reach pretty much back to 2008 to remember what this was like. . .
ReplyDeleteI only just discovered your blog through a friend and have to tell you that I am completely inspired! I love your honesty and approach to everything you do. This is my first official year of freelancing (as a writer) and I feel like I can relate to almost everything that you described in your first month. It's totally scary and daunting, and you're not quite sure how your going to pay next months bills... but at the same time it's so thrilling! Anyway I look forward to reading more. x
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