On Turning 3 Years Old!

It's officially been three years today since starting JMK & Co and what an experience it's been! From crying over rejected proposal, to crying tears of joy over winning contracts that have literally been a lifeline during the infamous famine part of the feast and famine freelancer cycle. In this article, I'll list the four lessons I've learnt these last three years.

So buckle up and prepare to come with me on the journey of JMK & Co!

Lesson 1: Running a Business = Life on hard mode

Full Disclosure: Being a business owner isn't for those wanting to play life on easy mode.

That is the first thought that comes to mind when I think about my number one lesson of being an entrepreneur: As, as much as I enjoy being a business owner/ consultant, sometimes it's really really difficult! And that's with an additional 5+ years of experience behind me as a freelance sole trader: Doing finances, finding clients, pitching proposals etc can all be difficult and energy draining at times. However, I was fortunate that early on in my new venture, I realised the importance of having an entrepreneurial mindset and embracing the challenges that come with running a business: My secret is to see obstacles as creative problems to be solved rather than as insurmountable obstacles. As James Clear says: "When it comes to motivation, 'Get to' is better than 'Have to' " I also try to frequently remind myself how fortunate I am to be in a privileged position where I get to work all week on building a business that I'm proud of.

Lesson 2: The Necessity of Providing Support

Acknowledging the importance of providing support to others has been one of my most prominent lessons that especially came to light in my first year of running JMK & Co. As i there's one thing that's been an unexpected lesson I've learned from this journey, it's the idea that a concept or framework that's second nature to you might be a completely foreign concept to someone else—maybe even a game changer! I've lost count the amount of times either I or someone else has said something in passing during a discussion that was an absolute new discovery for either myself or someone else. So if you're ever thinking if that thing that seems like common knowledge to you is worth sharing (whether in-person, or online) share it! As you never know how much of an impact that golden nugget of knowledge could have on someone's business or life.

Lesson 3: The Power of Networking

Being in business/consultancy communities has undoubtedly been the building block of my business development strategy. Back when I first decided to go full time into self-employment (by pivoting from part-time freelancer to full-time consultant), I knew I'd need to be within a community of like-minded consultants who also specialised in the VCSE sector. Fortunately for me, months beforehand I'd came across a community on Slack for freelancers and agencies that also served purpose-driven organisations, so I was able to join that group. From there, I've gone on to join several other entrepreneurial groups and it's fair to say that the majority of my work has come from me being an engaging and interactive member of those groups. From sharing proposals and project opps with others, to being a part of collaborations that were formed in one of the groups. For me, being a part of several groups full of entrepreneurs and founders has made my business what it is today. So I don't see networking as a dirty word, but more of a means of connecting and supporting others in the sector.

Lesson 4: Fun FTW

Finally I've come to the last lesson on my list: Making each day as enjoyable as possible.

As someone who works from home the majority of the time, I'm fully aware as to how boring it can be to sit at the same desk day in day out: Which is why each each day I choose the following 4x things to help differentiate my days and add a bit of fun/ playfulness into my work day.

1. A few Flown sessions, I can join that day.
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2. A Spotify playlist to match my mood and/or the work I’ll be doing for the day. One of my faves (especially on sunny days) is Big Desk Energy - Curated by the Founder of no-code newsletter platform beehiiv.  
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3. A webinar/workshop/course to catch up on during my lunch break. I'm a member of course platforms BBC Mastro and Masterclass - So I'll usually watch a course session via their apps. Or alternatively, I'll catch up on a replay of a webinar/workshop from one of the aforementioned business groups I'm in.
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4. A comfortable outfit that also makes me feel put together. My go-to's are comfy flares/trouser leggings and a warm sweatshirt and socks. With a few accessories of course.
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And there we have it - Four lessons I’ve learnt in my three years of business, thanks for coming with me on my blast to the past! And to all my fellow entrepreneurs out there: I see you and I salute you ;)

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