Hello reader,
Welcome back! You may have noticed that I redesigned the
blog. Bought my first blog template and did a little customization here and
there! I like trying something new.
This is not all I’ve been busy with lately though. I’ve been
working very hard trying to set up my design company. Oh yeah! The secret it
out! I’m excited to announce that the website will go live on the 20th,
launching with special prices for Christmas and New Year. So if you’re looking
for graphic design work, you’d be able to save just in time for the New Year!
Yay! However, setting up and running your own business is
pretty challenging. There were many late nights when I wanted to know how to do
something or wishing that I knew a lot of coding so setting up a website will
be easier. I had a lot of chances to quit and just apply for a job but I knew
that I had to give it everything I’ve got because it was my dream and I wanted
to see it come to life.
When you a dream to follow and you have about 50 reasons why
you should put it on the backburner and do something else, focus on the one
reason why you should just risk everything and go for it. Starting a business
is incredibly risky. While working as an intern, I saved the majority of the
money I earned in order to put all of it into my business as capital so going
forward with this means I stand a chance of losing money I worked hard for and
going months without income. But you know what? It’ll be worth it because I get
to wake up every day doing what I love, excited to create something new and on
my terms.
As starting a company can be extremely stressful, it is a
good idea to ensure that you have a support structure. I have a small one in my
family and friends and it’s great! However it was also challenging to convince
my parents that I do not want to work for anyone and that I want to start my
own business and be my own boss. That was met with, “What would you do? Are you
going to sit at home doing nothing?” and “It’s hard to find a job in this
economy. It is better to work for someone and build your portfolio before
setting off by yourself.” Despite all
this, I was adamant that I should start my own business and I think over time
they started to see this and they relented. Now they are part of my support
group. I turn to my Dad about legal matters and advice on registering a company
and my sister advices me on finance and things that involve numbers and
percentages since those make my eyes glaze over.
I don’t even know why my family was surprised when I decided
to do this. I mean, my Dad had started his own company and my older brother
older also broke off from working for someone else and ran his own business successfully
until he passed. And I’m pretty sure I would have valued his business advice. Full
disclosure: My design company is not only the only business idea I have. My
sister knows this too! I showed her my notebook, which is full of ideas I want
to implement and it’d be such a waste of brain cells, ink and paper to not try
and implement them, no? Yes.
To help me on my way to setting up a business, other than
relying on my family for support, I read a lot! There are so many free business
tools on the internet. I especially love the Reddit, often frequenting the Entrepreneur subbreddit. If Reddit was a person, I would marry him! It has everything and I learn a lot from it! I
suggest anyone to use Reddit when they need help or advice on anything or just
to have a few laughs and converse with people.
You know what is the absolute best thing about being a
business owner who works from home? You get to work on your own terms, and you
can work all day in your comfy pyjamas and when you get stressed or frustrated,
you can take a break, switch off by watching TV or Sherlock (I NEED SEASON 4!) or
nap and the bonus is…you can cuddle with your puppies! (Did I mention I have
puppies? Well I have 3! Aslan, Teddy (named after Ed sheeran) and Rashie
(sister’s suggestion; named after Rashida Jones) and they are just little cute
bundles of fur!) I will conduct a puppy shoot and post the photos on my Tumblr.
Whoo! Whoo! I’m so excited about the website launch.
December 20th it’s *makes rocket launch noises* boom! I’ve shown a
few family and a friend what the website looks like, and they love it! So set
your reminders, I’ll only be taking on a limited amount of clients once the
site launches so I’m able to fully commit to each design request. Ready? Set…
Do you have plans to start your own business? Have you started one? Let me know now in the comments! *Butterbean Cauliflower as Smaug's voice* Come now, don't be shy.
Do you have plans to start your own business? Have you started one? Let me know now in the comments! *Butterbean Cauliflower as Smaug's voice* Come now, don't be shy.
P.S Also, if you’re in South Africa and neighbouring
countries, please set your reminders to watch Dtv on SABC 3 on Saturday, the 13th.
This Saturday! I’ll be on TV since they will finally show the beauty pageant
and you can see my awkward interview for yourself! Also, you could join me
while I live tweet it! :D
P.P.S How awesome are Licorice AllSorts!?
