5 Years On…
August 2018 saw me take the leap from being employed to self employed… choosing to ditch the safety of a regular wage for the ever-changing world of ‘working for myself’.
If I’m completely honest, I was never truly happy working for others. I would get frustrated when my ideas weren’t listened to, hated having a regimented week where leaving home had to happen daily! I was annoyed at work politics and continually neurotic over what people thought of me. Don’t get me wrong, there were many times when I loved my job and relished the opportunities that came my way. Working in brand marketing allowed me to express my logical and creative sides; planning events, working on tv adverts and photo shoots, developing new food and drink products, creating strategies and plans. One brand I worked on was at the forefront of social media content creation and hit heady heights of engagement and followers before other brands had realised that social media was a thing for brands as well as people! But through it all, I was never truly content - always looking for the next opportunity.
When the leap came there were no real plans, just ideas and potential. A dream that I could turn my obsession with bees into a career, an idea that I could use my extensive marketing background to support small businesses, a wish for more balance from life.
Looking back I can’t really believe we did it. I’ve never been a big risk taker, always preferring to analyse and plan, with plenty of lists to boot! Five years on and when people ask me what I do for a living I proudly proclaim “Professional Beekeeper”, still not quite believing this is my life! The neurosis is still there with imposter syndrome frequently popping by to say hello but then I read a review from an attendee of a bee experience, or receive a thank you text from a beginner I’ve helped and I stand tall again.
Now my days are varied, with just the right amount of order and planned activity. My alarm goes off at the same time every day - week day and weekend; I get up and wish good morning to the dogs, letting them out whilst I open the chicken coop - greeted with clucks of freedom. The kettle goes on, cats are fed and emails checked…. after that the day could be filled with visitors to the bees, helping beginners, prepping for talks, sorting my accounts, planning some marketing activities or working on the hives. Running my own business as well as looking after the welfare of the bees means there are always numerous jobs on the to-do list!
A few hours each week are dedicated to training the dogs. Marley is mostly poodle and too clever for his own good so he’s a brilliant all rounder, he loves to search as well as being excellent at agility and obedience practice too. When it’s warm we also go swimming which could go on all day if he had his way! Poppy is a working cocker spaniel and is very easily distracted by birds, she’s a handful but loves to work so is training to be a drug detection dog at the moment, she’s not yet 18 months old so we’ve a way to go but she seems to really enjoy having a job to do and I enjoy working with both dogs, even if it does mean I’m often training in the mud and rain!
The rest of my time is spent working in the garden; moving one step closer to our off-grid, self sufficiency dream. A new learning curve where the seasons yet again play a vital role in when vegetables will be ready; if they even get to that stage!
So what have I learnt over the past five years of being the boss of me?
Don’t expect perfection, but it’s ok to strive for it. Having dreams and ideas can be motivating but often not fully realistic or achievable, instead of just accepting what is; strive for more but allow yourself to recognise what you’re achieving along the way.
Balance is more important than we realise. It’s very easy to fall into the trap of working all of the time, especially when your business operates from your home. Take time to stop and do other things that bring variation to your life and help relieve stress.
Don’t spend all the money as soon as it lands in the bank account - it’s very easy to get excited if you have a good month and want to spend all the profits but a big expense may be around the corner, or a not go good month!
If people offer help, take it! Working for yourself can be quite lonely so use opportunities given.
You may know your business inside out, what you do, what your product is etc… most people won’t, and they’re not going to comb through every inch of your website to learn. Keep telling the world about your business and reminding them of all you do so they find you and buy from you!
I’m sure there are many more lessons learnt but these are the main ones that come to mind as I write this on a rainy August day!
Did I do the right thing leaving employment 5 years ago?
Absolutely! I am a much happier and healthier person now, I don’t have the income I once had but I have balance and freedom which I’ve found to be more important. I also have an incredibly supportive husband, who without which I wouldn’t have been able to make the leap with as much security as he’s provided…. It also enabled me to get a dog (and then a second dog) because I had time to spend with them and no office to leave them for!
Some memories from the past few years…..
