Even a year ago I never would have guessed that I would be where I am today. When I started, I knew nothing about business. I have my sister/accountant to thank for all her insight and plethora of wisdom bestowed. Even now, “business” still seems much a mystery to me, at least at the level of experts. However, even within the past week I’ve come to some powerful realizations, including that I’m not that far behind the mark as I thought.
Recently a colleague asked me how I liked being a business owner thus far. I laughed. Being a freelancer is hard enough. Having a full-scale sole proprietorship is quite a beast for such a youngster to take on. At my last position I was overwhelmed, overworked, and under paid with no one to turn to who knew what the heck I was really talking about. No one understood the full weight of what I was doing because no one was sufficiently trained in my area of expertise.
Not much has changed. I’m still overwhelmed, overworked, and underpaid and have no one to turn to for collaboration (yet). There is one thing that has changed, however, and it is making all the difference: I am now able to govern how I conduct my business, how I treat my clients, and the ethics and morals that I display through my actions and efforts. I believe my approach to all of these things will truly set me apart from my competition, and I intend to adhere to them regardless of how I grow.
In Love and War
Nothing is fair in love and war, nor did it seem to be in business when I first debuted on the professional scene. I’m somewhat of an idealist when it comes to fairness and how to treat people. I truly believe that you should treat people as you wish to be treated. No one is perfect, and I constantly fail at this on a possibly even daily basis. However, sometimes it really is your intentions that count. I’ve received some really great feedback from one person in particular who has noted my efforts of simply being kind and willing to help. Even though I am already overloaded as it is, offering assistance to others has really been good for the soul.
Paint A Canvas
This past week I introduced the first edition of The Value of Design: A Reference Guide by Point Brake to the public, and so far I’ve given out 15-20 copies. A friend said it seems like a “really smart business move”, however this was not at all my motive for creating it. For starters, there is an enormous lack of public knowledge regarding the power that design can have on business. I may not be an expert in business, but I can at the very least recognize that many people are missing out on a lot of business because they aren’t giving their website or printed materials the attention they deserve. It isn’t because they are arrogant and don’t believe that design can effect their business, and it isn’t even because they’re penny-pinchers–it is solely because they are uninformed. They are a blank canvas waiting to be painted.
The general response that I received at the B2B Expo last Tuesday was that people welcome this information. They want to learn how they can be more competitive on all levels. I cannot think of a single designer that I have met or heard of who has effectively explained to a client, or even a relative, the true value and purpose of design. Why is that? Is it supposed to be a secret? Did I let the cat out of the bag and go against an unwritten AIGA guideline? This theory has yet to be proven, but I believe that soon enough I will see more and more people coming my way simply because I offered them free information on how to be more successful.
Listen, With All Ears
By nature I am not too big on talking. I don’t live up to the stereotype of “most women” in a lot of ways, but talking is especially one of them. I only speak when I have something of value to say, which makes for spending a lot of time listening. I find myself lucky that I am this way, because if I weren’t I most likely would have gone through life not realizing this next point: people want to be listened to. Even more, if you’re too busy talking, you may never know what it is they actually need or are looking for.
This point was illustrated to me this past week during a meeting where I could not get a word in edge-wise! I usually don’t try, but I actually had to interrupt the person multiple times just to be heard. And, interrupting people is something that I never do unless I’m tired of being interrupted or unheard myself. The worst part about this situation is that the tables were turned; for once I was the client and they were trying to sell their services/product to me. It just really turned me off to doing any sort of business to them. Regardless of whether they were in a hurry, didn’t think I would really be that interested, or anything else, it is a lesson I will never forget to always treat any business meeting as a conversation.
Who You Know
I overheard at least one person this past week saying “it really is who you know that counts”. I collected 20 business cards this week and met at least twice that. There are a few possible leads on projects, but more importantly I feel I am becoming a part of this community. I met some really wonderful people, and I am sure that I will be seeing many of them again. Being someone who doesn’t really care for “networking”, it is so comforting to walk into a room and recognize a few faces.
Pace Yourself
This past week was the busiest week I have had yet. Not only did I spend the past few months getting ready for the Expo Tuesday, but I had so much work and so many meetings that the rest of my week was completely filled. Thursday I had three meetings between 10am and 7pm. My attention span sadly doesn’t last longer than an hour on a day that I am well rested, so by the third meeting I simply could not concentrate. I had to leave so as to not make a fool of myself any more, because I could not really hold a conversation without forgetting what I was talking about.
I’ve recently realized the importance of networking and socializing, so I am having an even harder time limiting myself to the number of meetings and events within a week. Just like most things in life, it can be a double-edged sword. I’m now limiting myself to one meeting a day, two at the absolute most, so that I can give the proper attention to those I am meeting with. It isn’t fair to them if I space out within the first fifteen minutes, and it probably doesn’t make me look all that great either.
I was planning on writing a post similar to this anyway, but I had run across one in my RSS that gave me a few other ideas. All the points made in that other post I completely agree with but won’t waste time or space reiterating in my own words. But, to answer the question of how I like being a business owner, I must say that this is a really exciting time for me. Regardless of being overwhelmed, it isn’t anything that I can’t handle. My time-management skills have improved, and I’m still finding time to spend with my family. Most of all, I’m creating a company that will always [try to] treat people just as I would want to be treated.