What It's Really Like Working For Yourself ~ Today My Brand Turned 7!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I get a small commission if you make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. However, I only recommend products I use and love.
There is so much that I love about graphic design, and particularly branding and the specific work that I do.
I love designing. I love being in the flow of creating, and getting lost in my work. It’s when I feel the most alive and the most like myself. It feels like magic to make something from nothing.
But you know what I love even more, if that’s possible.. The freedom and lifestyle that my graphic design business has allowed me. It’s always a blessing when you get to do what you love for a living. It’s even more of a blessing to be able to do it for yourself.
Today my business turns 7. !!! My heart feels so full. I feel simultaneously lucky and deserving, because I have worked hard for this.
I will never forget, 7 years ago today on June 15, 2015, sitting at a coffee shop in Golden Hill, San Diego with my laptop. I was super excited, a little scared, not sure what the hell to even work on, or even how I was supposed to feel.
It was the first day of officially working for myself, but it was my second time around quitting my full time job to pursue running my freelance business full-time. This time though, I was prepared. I had saved enough money working at the magazine to allow for the inevitable ebbs and flows, this time I knew what I was getting myself into. I knew this time I would never look back. And I haven’t.
7 years.
7 years of calling the fucking shots.
7 years of answering to nobody, but myself.
7 years of being my own boss.
7 years of waking up when I want to, going to bed when I want to, and the best part.. working when and where I want to.
7 years of being able to pass on “opportunities” that don’t feel like opportunities.
7 years of getting to choose who I want to serve and share my skills and knowledge with.
7 years of knowing I can live anywhere in the world that has wifi, and having the option to move at a moment’s notice - it’s how I ended up in New York from california!
7 years of travel without putting in a vacation request.
7 years of believing in my talent and skills, despite occasional imposter syndrome.
7 years of consistently educating myself to expand my knowledge, because when you work for yourself there are no seminars or conferences to update you on what’s new in the industry
7 years of having FAITH in my own motivation to keep going even when the isolation/loneliness was palpable and money wasn’t coming in despite my best efforts
7 years of riding the wave of ebbs and flows - including the tsunami of no income at the beginning of the pandemic when my 2 niche industries were forced to shutdown indefinitely, many of those businesses never to return
7 years of personal development work and teaching myself how to become my own best friend and companion, because being self-employed is incredibly isolating.. and I have probably spent more time alone with my thoughts than most people could even comprehend
7 years of teaching myself digital marketing and how to keep getting new clients, and adapting as it constantly changes
And my very favorite part (besides sleeping in..) 7 years of experiencing the TRUE GIFT of helping people start THEIR own businesses and pursue THEIR dreams.. and getting to witness their precious reactions, as their ideas and visions come to fruition before their eyes through my work.
I’ll end on that note, since that thought brings tears of joy to my eyes 🥲
And one final sentiment.. to all of you who have supported my 7 year (and counting) journey, in particular my parents, close friends and partners, and above all, to every single person who has ever paid me money to design something for them.. from the bottom of my very full heart, THANK YOU. ❤️❤️❤️
Are you sick to death of...
- Feeling like a hamster in a wheel, chasing the latest social media trends?
- Trying (unsuccessfully) to "beat the algorithm" so your social media posts get seen?
- Posting on social media regularly, but not seeing much engagement, or any real increase in profits?
- Knowing you have amazing services and/or products to offer, but struggling to be seen online and getting crickets when you do reach out?
Girl, we need to talk.
Chances are, there's a lot you're doing wrong. I know because I was stuck there for a long time, too. But don't worry, I'm here to help you!
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You know I don’t recommend any brands or products that I don’t absolutely love, and I recommend Dinnerly to all my friends.
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