Image courtesy of Eon productions.
It was a Tuesday. I was working as a Business Development Manager for a high-end property refurbishment company in central London and although I enjoyed most aspects of the role, the integrity and ethical behaviour of the company was rubbish! Miserable, angry at myself for being in this position and generally fed up, my two best friends called an emergency lunch meeting to help come up with a solution.
They instantly identified the source of my unhappiness and asked what would happen if I walked back to the office and simply quit? I realised I had nothing to lose (apart from a steady income, holidays and guaranteed sick pay during a major global recession) however, I owed it to myself and those around me to take a stand and finally start making a positive difference.
What didn’t help was being stopped on my way back to the office by a ‘clipboard man’ who explained he had lost his job 3 months ago and so far this was the best job he had been offered – talk about scary! But I went back and quit anyway, restored my self respect, jumped on my motorbike and rode away to take on the world as a wide eyed eco-warrior.
Know What To Say No To
The decision to break free and go out on your own is exciting, empowering and incredibly scary. Initially I had no idea what I wanted to offer or how I could make money, however I had just completed the Wealth Dynamics course with Roger Hamilton so at least I had a far greater insight into my working style and knew what to say no to.
At the beginning this is the only navigational tool you have and every day is a step closer to where you want to be. Even going backwards is important so you can know when to apply the breaks and set off in another direction in the morning. Today I received a call from a recruitment agent who saw that my CV (found lurking on an old job seeker website) stated I had previously worked with a particular legal system and wanted to put me forward for the Implementation Manager role at the Law Society.
It is times like this that all of your molecules combine and want to scream “YES, I would love the job, the fabulous pay and the delirious amount of annual leave combined with the new ability to eat!” But somehow I stood strong, I never did like implementing legal systems and an employee I am not.
So, looks like it’s still beans on toast and two minute noodles for me – but most importantly, steady progress in the right direction.
Network, Flirt and Get Remembered
It’s never too soon to consciously build your network. Fast track success comes from having quality relationships with the right contacts – these will then be your safety net when you set out on your own. I recall hearing that most people frequent the same seven places, with the same seven people every week and wonder why nothing changes in their life. So I made a rule to go to a new place and/or meet a new person at least once a day. With networking events and social media, this is incredibly easy to achieve. I am continually surprised by how far simply saying ‘hello’ to someone can take you…
18 months ago I went to a Business Link event by myself. I worked up the courage to introduce myself to the guest speaker, an inspiring woman named Penny Power. I had some wine and some food then went home, not all together sure why I had been at the event, given I didn’t have my own business. Although I knew more than ever that I wanted one.
Today, I attended another Business Link event and the final speaker was Penny Power! As I am active on social media sites I quickly recognised the gentleman she was with as Thomas, her husband. Penny and Thomas Power are the Founders and Directors of Ecademy, as well as authors, international speakers and entrepreneurs. Thomas recognised my name from our online networking and we started to chat, the three of us got along well and they invited me to their event this evening at the Grosvenor Hotel in Victoria as their guest. This is a great opportunity to mix with leading business owners in the UK.
I love how one ‘hello’ can open the door to so many hidden opportunities…
Things You Can’t Do With Acrylic Nails
There are a few conflicts between personal branding and setting up a business, acrylic nails for example. As a planet saving, motorbike riding, power tool wielding girl-about-town, you may, like me, wonder why I bother with the ongoing hassle of perfectly groomed finger nails? One answer ‘Brand’. I have quickly learnt the importance of good personal branding and I’m in the process of refining my own professional identity. First impressions count and a potential client’s positive perception of you is crucial to getting your business off the ground.
The sacrifices caused by my choice of nails begins small – no longer can I pick up a dropped coin, peel potatoes or get the plug out of the bath. However, the greatest issue of the day is the fact that I am physically unable to use an Apple iPhone! I’ve wanted one for ages! Try as I might, I can’t type a text message without selecting a minimum of 7 letters in one tap. I am left feeling like my Dad with modern technology and fat fingers!
Am avoiding all things Apple and keeping my Blackberry. ‘Everything Everywhere’ technology is critical. So as long as I can call, email, surf and Tweet while scurrying around London then all will be fine. And no, I don’t want to try a stylus!
The Ability To Do Business By The Pool
There are times when setting up your own business is lonely, confusing, and down right horrible. However, there are other times when you know exactly why you’ve made this choice – the new ability to hang out in Private Members Clubs! This morning I made the rare journey with commuters into the City and while they went to their offices, I headed to Shoreditch House. Leaving the scruffy streets of London, I take the lift to the top floor and step out onto the roof terrace (with pool!) where the most difficult decisions of the day are which sun lounger should I sit on and which gorgeous tanned bar tender will I wave down for a latte?
My Associate and I worked through a load of new branding and design concepts, all with an eco and sustainable edge, for our client while others dine or splash past us. This club is definitely my favourite – they even have straighteners in the bathrooms.
Exposure to this type of venue can initially be a bit confusing. Entry to private members clubs is only allowed when attending meetings with someone who is a member but they have their own lingo. Arriving early for a meeting with another Associate at the Royal Society of the Arts, I was in need of caffeine. Knowing the strict entry rules I asked the gentleman on reception if he was aware of my meeting? He asked if my name was Rebecca? I said no, and that my meeting was with Lili. He then asked if she was a fellow? Of course I said she wasn’t, she was a woman! I wondered what difference it made if she was a man or a woman, then realised he meant ‘Fellow’ of the Society. I quickly said yes, hoping he hadn’t understood my Australian accent and scooted off as fast as possible!
Prepare for Space Travel
After a few weeks of spending around 14 hours a day, 7 days a week hunting for eco solutions, ethical companies, exciting new contacts, learning how to build websites, successfully utilise social media, starting to think like an entrepreneur, designing logos, meeting with mentors etc, I’ve noticed something quite unnerving about my relationship with my friends. Not simply because all my time is being taken up, although that is a contributing factor, but because there is obviously two very different planets in front of me, and I am in a little space-ship in between.
Before today I have caught glimpses of beings from the planet ‘Entrepreneur’, in books, newspapers and some personal development courses (and obviously the previously mentioned private members clubs!). I know they share a different vocabulary, however I hadn’t realised how far apart they were from planet ‘Employee’.
My priorities have changed so much that I’m no longer interested in going out to spend money on drinks (money which can be used for my marketing campaign) and wiping out the next day as a consequence is unthinkable. I need to be on form every day – there is no secured wage at the end of the month to see me through, and there is no one else to do the work needed to succeed except me.
It is essential to start surrounding yourself with people from planet ‘Entrepreneur’ and adjusting to the vast difference in activities and lifestyle becomes second nature. Ironically, the silver lining is that finding established entrepreneurs often involves staking out fabulous venues and drinking quality beverages in their company!
