I can’t believe that Dash of Social has turned EIGHT YEARS OLD today! ??
Having started this business when I was only 19, I’ve spent some time this morning looking back on the past eight years and feeling grateful that I get to run a business I love, in the way I want to run it.
It only felt fitting to share the top eight lessons I’ve learned throughout this time:
1?? Time is money. I’m constantly looking for ways that I can optimize my productivity and add more time back into my schedule. Along with that, I will *always* value having freedom with my time more than a hefty client load.
2?? Relationships are important. The majority of our clients come to us through referrals. Being able to build solid relationships and connections with great people can truly help you to go so far.
3?? Your gut doesn’t lie. Any time I had a bad gut feeling about moving forward with a project or opportunity but did it anyway, 9 times out of 10, my gut was right. Trust your instincts and act accordingly!
4?? You don’t always need corporate experience before you start a business. I can’t tell you how many times people tried to persuade me to work for another marketing agency in a 9-5 before I went all in on my own company. I’m grateful that I stayed true to what *I* wanted to do and believed in myself because here I am, eight years later, still running a great business without ever having a corporate job.
5?? Your team is your greatest asset. I would not be able to do what I do without my incredible team alongside me. Trying to do everything yourself is difficult, and unnecessary, and investing in a talented team that you can trust can take you so far.
6?? There’s no such thing as competition. This opinion may be subjective, but I truly don’t believe that I have competition. There is no other marketing agency that offers exactly what I do and follows the exact same processes. Your clients will always hire you for you! I deeply cherish the relationships I have with other agencies and will *always* find ways to support them and refer clients to them.
7?? Clear, quick, and consistent communication is one of the best skills to have to be successful. People want to know that you’re doing what you say you’re going to do, when you say you’re going to do it.
8?? Time away from the screen is important, and working less will help you to do MORE. I’ve prioritized giving myself rest on Fridays so that I can come back on Mondays feeling fully ready to tackle my to-do list.
I can’t wait to see what this next year brings. Thank you to all who have supported me along the way! ??