A new business - one month in

Wow! Today I am celebrating ONE MONTH of Hibiscus Media and Events. By way of celebrating I am having a gin whilst I finish my last task for the day - writing this!

Cheers!

I thought it would be nice to document my first month. One, for me to look back on in six months, a year, and even beyond and see what it was like. But also for anyone else either in the same boat - so we can share the ups and downs - or anyone who is thinking of starting their own business. Not that your experience might be the same as mine, but you never know - some of it might help.

The Idea

So, anyway, first - the idea. Why did I decide to start my own business? Well, in truth, I didn't! I was given a very friendly 'push' by my then boss - Lee Brandie - who took me aside and told me "it's time Stacy, you need to go out on your own". I left that conversation feeling excited, and terrified (both at the same time), and have never looked back. From there on in I was starting my own business.

What the business would be

For me this was never in question. It wasn't like I had ever though 'I want my own business, what can I do?', but rather the other way around. When Lee spoke to me he even knew what I would do. We spoke about it then - LinkedIn training, social media, events - all the things I love doing and was doing anyway. That part was easy.

The name

I won't go in to too much detail here as I have already written a whole article on it - you can see it here: Hibiscus Media and Events - What's in a name?. What was great though was that once I announced the name, and started talking about it, I have been getting pictures of Hibiscus drinks sent to me and also received a gift of a hibiscus candle! For me that shows that I have hit upon a good name. Now, when people see something with hibiscus they think of me - great - I'll stay front of mind. That wasn't my intention so I call it a happy accident.

I love it, thanks guys - keep them coming (the pictures, you don't have to buy me gifts ??)!

The ideal vs. the reality

Before you are a business owner you look at other business owners and think that they are so lucky. They can see whomever they want, whenever they want. Do whatever they want, whenever they want. Go wherever they want, whenever they want. Buy whatever they want... you get the picture.

The reality is that as a business owner, especially a new business (although I only have experience as a new business so not entirely sure if it's different further down the line) you have to work a lot of hours, and not even have a guarantee of a wage at the end of every month. I have worked about 100 hours every week this month, without a day off and not really any evenings off too. When you are not working - you are thinking about it. It consumes you. Well it has consumed me and in a way that I have never experienced before.

I have sacrificed time with family and friends. I have sacrificed diet and exercise. I have sacrificed sleep (although not as much as I really need it). I have been apologising to my family and friends, and asked them to bear with me while I get this business going. I have made peace with my weight. I am getting used to seven hours sleep instead of eight (I am a good sleeper). All of this I see as necessary evils, but only for a little while, just to get it going. To my family and friends, once again, PLEASE be patient, I love you all very much and want this to be for you as well.

The fun stuff

The fun stuff for me is the work, as I do really love it. So here's a rundown for the month of January 2019:

Fantastic Fanatics - a brand new reward scheme / fundraising platform for sports clubs. I have been doing some sales for them. Love it. I am there three days a week and we already feel like a tight knit team. It's been great, my role is to look at bringing on some retail partners and I have had some success early on so will be staying with them for a bit longer - yaay!

CV Aberdeen - Another love of mine as I get to help people with their CVs and also their LinkedIn profile ??. Within the first week of announcing this I had four CVs to do. This is going to be a busy one!

LinkedIn Training for Business Professionals - I have continued to have interest in the course and as at the end of January I have only four places left for the next course, which is in February. Fantastic - I can't wait for the next round of people to start using LinkedIn effectively to promote themselves and get more business.

I have also developed an idea for ongoing support for all attendees - look out for more information on this soon. I am currently trialling it with the first cohorts from the training. I'm excited though!

LinkedIn Training for Businesses - the same course, but tailored for a business and delivered on their premises to their staff. I have had a good few proposals for it gone out in the last couple of weeks and some bookings for February and March - a great start!

Social Media - I took on my first social media client for Hibiscus Media and Events. We will be meeting next week to discuss a content plan, but I'm super excited to help this client on her journey as she too has recently started her business.

Breakneck Comedy Ball - I have so much to tell you about this, soon. Sorry - a lot going on behind the scenes to make it bigger and better than before, but I wanted it mentioned as I have been working on it.

Likewise for the AYP Ball (Aberdeen Young Professionals). I am on the AYP committee and we have been looking at events throughout the year, culminating in the AYP Ball at the end of the year. This is going to be a biggie as it's the 10th anniversary of AYP! More to come on the Ball, but in the meantime the first event is on Tuesday 5th February at the Sandman Signature Hotel in Aberdeen - why not come along, you'll even get to hear me talk about the mentoring programme so whether it's for yourself (to be mentored, or to be a mentor), or for someone in your team it'll be worth it. Tickets here: AYP Social

Meetings - I have had SO many meetings with people who want to know more about all the offerings for Hibiscus Media and Events. Thank you so much to everyone who has taken the time. I have a lot more to see and look forward to scheduling those over the coming weeks.

Networking - I love to network. Unfortunately in January I didn't get to do as much as I normally would (another sacrifice) but I did manage to get along to one of my groups, and start the ball rolling on another. More on that in February also. One other networking event that I did manage to get to was the Granite Burns Supper by Granite PR and Business Plus Scotland - well done Brett Jackson and Bernie Allison - you outdid yourselves this year. Icing on the cake for me was having the winning bid in the auction for two tickets to New York with BA. It'll be a treat for the end of the year! I want to say a big thank you to Leigh Reid for inviting me, I had a wonderful time.

Finally, today I met with Steve Beedie to film another episode of Simply Social and what great fun we had! This is our way of giving back a little. We do ramble on a bit, I'm sure you agree Steve... ?? however, we also offer some insight and tips on social media. We're new at it, me especially, but we are trying so have a look and let me know what you think.

There's more, I'm sure there is but I have rambled on enough. I guess this is also like a diary for me but as I said, I am looking forward to looking back one day and seeing how it was.

If you have any advice I am always happy to listen to it. And if you are either in the same boat, or thinking about it, and want to chat then let me know, I'd love to meet up for a coffee (well, if you know me it's a decaf tea - but don't worry if you don't have any - I bring my own...??).

Signing off for now, tomorrow is a new month - bring it on! Stacy ??