My First Year Flying Solo - Part One.
I was a mixture of emotions when I decided to start my own design business. In spite of fear, excitement and the feeling of possibility were much stronger, so I took the jump in January 2022.
As a freelance designer and business owner, how has it really been, and do I still feel that same sense of excitement a year later?
In the first part of a two part series, here I look at the areas I have felt have been very positive.
I’m doing a job I love
This might seem like an obvious place to start, but I am now doing work I really love now.
From branding creative companies and community start-ups, helping SMEs with their marketing and socials, illustration commissions, and partnering with agencies to support their clients, it’s been a rollercoaster of fun!
I want to thank those who chose me to help them design their branding. These clients put their trust in my creative abilities to help them solve their problems, and reach their own business goals. It’s work that brought me an enormous amount of satisfaction and I can’t wait to do more of it!
For those who I collaborated with on their one off pieces, thank you for choosing me to help you along your journey, and to give you the confidence to put out more work to promote your organisations and businesses.
Placing value on what I do
I passionately believe that great design adds an emotional and monetary value to any business or organisation. I know the work that I do helps business level up, take giant steps in showing authority, bill more, win bigger and better clients, gain more customer loyalty, and be more profitable. Design is such a wonderful tool in that way.
The skills and knowledge that I have accumulated over two decades has helped me place value on what I do and what I can offer clients. Communicating return on investment and value is a skill I am still learning (most creatives can testament to this), but this year has really taught me that if I don’t put a value on those skills I won’t have a sustainable business for the future.
I’m not in the red!
I think any small business owner who makes a profit, how matter how big or small, in their first year is over the moon! Let’s call a spade a spade, we’re all in business to make money and being a designer or a creative is not a vocation, it’s a job and a bloody good one at that. While I didn’t scale the dizzy heights when it came to my income last year, I came out on top, not in the red and that’s a big win for me!
“I’m thrilled and actually found it emotional seeing all I really wanted shaped and formed. Having never done this before, I immediately want to tell everyone, do not neglect this element of your business and get you on board. ”
In charge of my own process
When I started Marbarstarbar, I was determined to get my processes right from the start. In my former role, I upskilled on best practices, and had seen a specific design process repeatedly work when I used it. I’d see the stress that was created when clients or colleagues ignored it and dictated how a project should proceed. Having worked in-house for nearly a decade, I also needed to make sure that when it came to proposals, contracts and invoices, I was also using solid and sensible practices.
For me, the client’s experience and my design processes have been king from the start - making sure that we both get the best experience and results in the time we work together. This isn’t the sexy side of design, but its the nuts and bolts that hold it all together, making for smooth customer service and delivery of projects.
“I thoroughly enjoyed working with Mari Therese on our marketing campaign. From the start she made the whole process extremely easy and enjoyable.”
“Mari took the time to understand my business and this is what brought the full brand design together. The logo, colours, and design are just me, she has totally nailed it. I could not recommend Mari enough as a professional designer who can create a cohesive and eye-catching brand for your business.”
Balance
I have always tried to have a healthy approach to work and life. Over the last 12 months I have sat in different workshops, been interviewed on a one-to-one basis for research, and when asked what do I want for the future of my business and life, I have always given the same answer - support my clients goals and add value to their businesses, be proud of the work I put out in to the world, run a financially sustainable business, live a comfortable and happy life, close to my family and friends.
Like any business starting off, balance is a challenge, and for sure mine has at times. Balance isn’t just about getting the weekend off, it’s about maintaining my health and wellbeing so I can run my business effectively. It’s about continuing to work smarter (hence strong processes), utilising online tools and other smart people to free up tasks I don’t need to be doing, if I can help it.
I’m also where I want to be physically - home. And home is one of the most beautiful parts of this country - although looking outside now on a dark January evening, some might say I am mad!
Being out of my comfort zone
Growth doesn’t come from within your comfort zone.
I’ve taken on creative challenges, and had to deal with all matters of problems on my own for the first time in over a decade. I’ve also had to go out and make new contacts, speak in front of large groups to introduce myself and my business. Doing things like this has been a double edged sword, as it has exposed the weaknesses in my character, as it has my strengths.
I would never have considered myself a born entrepreneur or natural business person - so even assuming that new role has had me out of my comfort zone everyday for the last year!
The lessons I have learned, and keep learning, have helped me grow and my business grow every month, ready for the next challenge and the next 12 months ahead.
