One thing I’ve never really written about is running a business. I’ve touched on what it’s like to be a full time blogger, sponsored posts and have done posts on how to start a blog, but apart from that, I don’t delve into it too much. Whilst at University, I won a number of enterprising/business/scholarship awards (not just for my blog but for something else I did at University as well) I guess I want to use this blog post as a way to hopefully share some tips I’ve learnt along the way or to inspire you. I sat in my bed in the Mercure hotel the other day, tapping away at my keyboard whilst thinking about this blog post. I felt so productive. So motivated and so fuelled with energy for the future so I want to inject some of that into this blog post. I really hope you’ll like it, whether you’re stuck in a rut and don’t know what to do, work for yourself, are about to launch a business or maybe want to launch a business.
My journey to starting businesses was accidental. I started writing my blog because I was so incredibly passionate about beauty, life and whatever I was writing about back then. I still am. I’d like to start this post by saying, if people around you are negative about you wanting to start a project/new hobby or business idea, then please don’t listen to them. I remember every single person who sneered and laughed at me in my final year of 6th form when I started my blog. It was awful. My brother started one too and he deleted it because he was so embarrassed after people mocked him for it. If you have a dream, go for it, don’t let people tell you not to do it. You’ve got to have quite a strong backbone and a belief in yourself to go at something alone. I worked in retail part time at University and remember the day I was able to quit and work for myself. It felt like a dream come true and I felt so proud of myself. I never set out with the idea of what I do becoming a business and I’m glad I didn’t, because I absolutely adore it and it doesn’t feel like a chore, it’s my baby. Here are some tricks I’ve learnt along the way:
You can work from anywhere - First and foremost, the best thing about many businesses today (depending on what you do of course) means you can pretty much work from anywhere. Whether it’s a train, a hotel bed, a desk. I personally like to be in a routine and do prefer sitting at a desk. I spend most of my life living out of suitcases so I always go for hotels with good wifi and good desk space. I’ve been working with Mercure a lot this year as they have hotels all around the country with comfy beds and great wifi. Often, I feel more productive working from a new space rather than my office for some reason. Sitting up straight at a desk in a hotel room really works for me, there are no distractions, there’s usually no-one to talk to and I even throw my phone on the bed so I don’t sit and scroll on it all day long.
Find what works for you - Space wise, find what works for you. I know I can’t work with people beside me, I’m weird like that. I need to either be in a library where everyone else is working hard and almost feel embarrassed to grab my phone, or, if I’m at home my phone needs to be locked upstairs or I’m distracted easily. Somewhere like Mercure hotels work really well for me but not in bed. I’m not very good working from bed. I’m the most productive when sat up straight, old school, at a desk with a good wifi connection. It’s all about what works best for you, you may work best bouncing off someone. I worked in a shared office once and just never got anything done because people were so busy talking, it was a great community but I like to lock myself away and get my head down, personal preference.
People aren’t always gonna be proud or happy for you - One thing I learnt pretty quickly is that when you do something outside of the norm, people won’t always be proud or happy for you. Read my blog post about getting over friendships for more on this one, but I was so shocked at just how few of my friends even still to this day ask me about my job, my work or support me. It really did help me realise who are my true friends and who aren’t. Remember the phrase: be cautious of those who don’t clap when you win. You need to be surrounded by people who are on your team, they’re excited for you and support you with your ups and downs.
Grow a tough skin - Similar to the above but you’ve got to grow a tough skin, in any workplace, not just running your own business. I find this one quite difficult because we shouldn’t need to grow a thick skin, but without it, I’d definitely have quit by now. Read my blog post about full time blogging for more but the number of times people have turned their noses up at me or wrongly judged me. You’ve gotta be able to see through it.
Understand criticism - Criticism is an interesting one because, on social media, it usually comes in the form of ‘I love you but…’ and ends in a nasty comment, but sometimes, it’s good to take constructive criticism as it can help your business\job and you as a person. We shouldn’t mistake nastiness for constructive criticism though.
Understand your own emotions - Working for myself has really helped me understand my own emotions. I know why I feel the way I do. Is it because I’m jealous? Am I envious? Ask yourself why you feel like you do and try to understand it before firing off.
Find people who do the same thing - My saviour has been my friends who all do what I do. I am so lucky because I can pick up the phone and chat things through with them. It’s so helpful.
Be strict with deadlines and priority lists - Priority lists honestly rule my life, but in a good way. I try to have a ‘must do’ ‘could do’ ‘might be able to do’ list at all times and work through it rather than stressing myself out with the worlds biggest list.
Know your worth - As in any job role, you’ve got to know your worth and weigh up if things are worth it. Talk to someone in a similar position. Read forums. Do you research and check no-one is ripping you off.
No dream is too big, it's never too late - Last but not least, no dream is too big. I was laughed at, bullied and still to this day, have people who don’t support me, but finding a hobby that accidentally turned into a career has been the best thing that has happened to me. Don’t listen to the doubters. Listen and learn from the doers.
Find out what motivates you - Figure out what motivates you and keep doing it. For example, is it being in a routine? Is it getting up early and working out then working hard at your laptop? Is your motivation knowing you will have the security to care for your family? It's good to know why you're running yourself into the ground. I'm motivated because I want to share my passions and want to be able to give my family security but I'm inspired by people who are doing incredible things, for the world, for their families. Write a list of things that inspire and motivate you. It'll give you a fire in your belly.
So there we have it, I really hope you liked this blog post. Leave a comment and let me know what you do, do you run a business, do you work for yourself?
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Lots of love, Em x
*I'm working with Mercure this year on sponsored content and staying at a number of their hotels, this is all my honest opinion though as always.
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