10 things I’ve learned in 10 years of business

This just a snack-sized overview. You can check out the full article on the Avion website: https://www.avioncommunications.com.au/10-things-ive-learned-in-10-years-of-business/

When I was 25 years old, I came back to Melbourne with the hope of trading in my life as a ski bum for the advertising career I’d cultivated out of uni before I left. But it was 2009 – during the global financial crisis – and nobody was hiring.

This is what shifted my mindset from employee to employer. With no other options that resonated with me, I started my own writing business. It began with articles and brochures for people I knew. Now here I am – a decade later – with a turnover of seven figures, plus 12 employees and counting!

There have been some seriously dark times, but this year I’ve been lucky enough to take three months off. Whether you’re thinking of starting a small business, or you’ve been in one for a while, I hope my top 10 takeouts below provide some inspiration.

1. BE YOURSELF – YOU’RE NO GOOD AT BEING ANYBODY ELSE

Businesses are built on genuine relationships. If you don’t have mutual respect for each other’s personalities and experiences – irrespective of age or clothing – working together will be a chore.

2. KNOW WHAT YOUR DEFINITION OF SUCCESS IS

Know what makes you happy. Is it the hustle followed by fancy acquisition, or is it the ability to have more long weekends than most? For me, success is the freedom to engineer my work/life balance around the snow and surf.

3. BRING HEART TO YOUR WORK AND THE REST WILL FOLLOW

If your clients and your team believe you’re a good person trying your best, they will stand up for you. And while good leaders should be strong, confident decision makers, it helps to show your vulnerable side. There’s no need to be as cold as ice.

4. YOU’LL NEVER FEEL READY TO HIRE THAT FIRST EMPLOYEE

When I finally committed to putting someone on payroll, I had more time to work on the business, rather than in the business. I asked myself why the hell I hadn’t done it earlier!

5. HIRE ON ATTITUDE, NOT APTITUDE – BUT SET ASIDE TIME TO TRAIN

Skills are important. But so is personality and work ethic. Even if employees are only with you for two to three years, they can bring a lot to the table in this time. But keep in mind this strategy only works if you personally dedicate time to help them develop.

6. MANAGING PEOPLE = EMOTIONAL LABOUR = SELF-CARE

When people talk about business, they talk about profit and loss. They don’t talk about how much emotional energy it takes to keep your team happy. If you’ve lost that loving feeling, take a break. It’s ok.

7. PREPARE TO MAKE LESS MONEY AS YOU GROW

More people does not equal more profit. Once you reach around 10 staff, you require a leadership team comprising non-billable roles (i.e. account management and operations). Accepting your finances will be up and down is just a part of the journey.

8. INVEST IN YOURSELF

When your business matures, you spend all your time in the trenches. It’s easy to lose sight of why you went into business in the first place – so make sure you treat yourself to conferences and time outside the office to think.

9. LEARN TO LET GO. REALLY.

Last year I was suffering from serious burnout. I decided with conviction that I would take a sabbatical to re-evaluate my priorities. After I left, it was incredibly rewarding to see my employees step up – and not surprisingly, they absolutely nailed it while I was gone. 

10. DON’T FORGET WHO YOU ARE OUTSIDE OF WORK

Alone, on the beaches of Mexico, I was caught out with a serious identity crisis. I had dedicated so much of my daily life to work, I didn’t know where the past 10 years had gone. This cognitive space was very confronting, but I’m grateful for it.