On 27 September, it’ll be two years since a random group of strangers got together in a room at Cecil Sharp House in London, the home of British folk dancing. Not to dance, but to spend a day thinking about our businesses, or potential businesses, as freelancers and small business owners.
A brilliant day led by Ian Sanders, Do Freelance was time most definitely well spent in my book. Ian had us think a lot about the future, what success looked like for us all.
And then 2020 happened.
Didn’t see that one coming
But then business is often like that, I guess. As the group has stayed in (irregular) contact, I asked for some reflection on getting through the last two years, on surviving, potentially thriving, the tricky parts and the things that got us through it, or at least to this stage.
Be careful what you ask for
I thought that this would just be one shortish post. But I got such amazing answers from the six people who responded that I didn’t want to edit their stories down too much. So I’m splitting them over two posts, as I think there are stories and talking points in each one of these for every kind of small business owner and freelancer.
So here goes.
Terin Izil – TER Industries
Terin won the prize for the furthest distance travelled on the day. The guy from Oslo must have thought he had it in the bag. Terin came in from NYC. Imagine that: being at a conference with real people and on a completely different continent. Those were the days.
Terin describes herself as a storyteller, go-getter, rule breaker, ringleader and room owner. If you’ve got a project that needs energy and different thinking, Terin might be your woman. Here’s how she got through 2020 from the US perspective.
How long had you been running your own business/been self-employed when we met in 2019?
I had always done a bit of freelancing on the side, but I started freelancing full-time (and to stay that way indefinitely) in January 2019.
What do you remember most about the day we all met?
The welcome slide with all of our names on it. I knew this was going to be a great day.
Were there any things that you particularly took out of Ian’s session that you still think about or do today?
I refer to my notes when I feel like I’ve lost my purpose or that I’m not fully in control of my work life. It’s a great reminder that whatever isn’t working for me is something I can change.
So, we’ve been through 2 years like none of us could have imagined. What’s the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome as a small business owner?
Reminding myself that some jobs are just for the money and not letting those jobs take up too much of my mental space. There has been more work than ever these last two years because geography isn’t a barrier anymore, but it also means I’ve been distracted from “hunting” instead of “gathering” clients.
Have you changed anything about how you work or what you do as a result of the pandemic?
I have realised how much I enjoy working remotely and plan to do most of my work remotely in the future. I also realised how much I enjoy quiet time.
Amid all the terrible news of the pandemic, were there any positives for you, at work or in your home life? Are you the person that did learn a new language or renovated a house?
I started dating someone long-distance, and we realised that because we couldn’t go anywhere, we could go everywhere. So we went on a Zoom date to Japan and watched a bunch of YouTube videos together, made the same udon noodle recipe, did an AirBnB sake tasting experience with a guy in Tokyo, and a bunch of other stuff.
It was so much fun and such a great way to get to know each other and how we “travel”. We just went on our first real trip together, and I’d say it was pretty true to our virtual vacation.
If you could tell yourself, or the rest of us, one thing on that day two years ago on how to get through the next two years, what would it be?
The world is about to change, but you’ve got a headstart by spending a day really thinking about how to design your freelance life. And what it means to “win” at it.
Tell us the book or something you watched that got you through rubbish days?
Although it didn’t age well, the NY Gov Cuomo daily press conferences were something I looked forward to during those first few months. I made bingo cards and posted them on Instagram and would get so excited when strangers would get a bingo and tag the account. It was a way to feel connected with others, stay updated on what was going on and also to have a sense of routine in all the days that blended together.
What’s the one word or phrase you never want to hear again when we’re through all this?
The Happy Birthday Song when water is running.
Alistair Williams – Founder & MD Creation Consultancy and A Clear Path Ahead
Like several people in the room, Alistair hadn’t made the leap into working for himself at the point we met. He now has two complementary businesses to his name, Creation Consultancy and A Clear Path Ahead. Here’s Alistair’s story of the last two years and about how lockdown gave some time for rebuilding himself as well as actual building.
How long had you been running your own business/been self-employed when we met in 2019?
I hadn’t at this stage – it was just an idea at the time. However, it was clear that my current career wasn’t sustainable.
What do you remember most about that day?
At the time, I’d just finished at The Guardian after 10 years and had just taken on a full-on 12-month contract at Condé Nast as the founder of a new digital offering for Vogue. Being immersed in a day of discussion with interesting people was the highlight. It felt like a real indulgence since I’d always had the desire to do something on my own, but here were people actually doing it. And there was a full day of it.
Were there any things that you particularly took out of Ian’s session that you still think about or do today?
I liked the conversation around creating your own working life and day, and the manifesto was a useful exercise. Again I go back to the other people on the session – it was great to hear their stories. I wish I’d kept in touch with more of them.
So, we’ve been through 2 years like none of us could have imagined. What’s the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome as a small business owner?
I set up my company in October 2019, but it was literally to buy myself some time to do nothing without a gap in my CV. I did a few pieces of consultancy work but declared myself to be on a sabbatical. I really did take a pause and spent a lot of time reflecting. I was also getting over some burnout/exhaustion that I saw coming around the time of this course.
So, rebuilding myself was the biggest challenge.
But it also provided an opportunity in that I drew on all of this experience to write courses and workshops. Lockdown provided both the cover and opportunity to get creative slowly without any pressure and was a truly restorative experience.
Have you changed anything about how you work or what you do as a result of the pandemic?
The early versions of my workshops ran within organisations in the months prior to lockdown, so I had to relaunch online later in the year. Since most organisations were trying to make sense of the situation, any attempt at new business was pretty futile, so I didn’t do any, focusing on creating new content instead.
I did do a lot of one-to-one coaching work around personal brand during this time within the local area – going on big walks to get the conversations flowing when we were allowed (take a look at www.aclearpathahead.com to see how this works).
This then grew into work around confidence, purpose and finding out what’s important to you. The importance of being outside has always been key to me, particularly as I live in the hills around Guildford. Lockdown allowed for the one-to-one meetings that were otherwise impossible inside, so combining the sessions with walks in the countryside was ideal.
Amid all the terrible news of the pandemic, were there any positives for you, at work or in your home life? Are you the person that did learn a new language or renovated a house?
Loads of positives. To the point that I would happily say that I enjoyed the lockdown periods in ways that surprised me.
I, like many others, did the old cliches of making sourdough bread and doing Yoga with Adrienne. But because I was now freelance, I was able to be completely flexible when Sarah, my wife, needed to work very long hours (she was head of patient services but also took on another role for an oncology consultant to do her bit to help out).
I took control of the domestic side of things – all the food and home educating for two of the three kids (11, 13 and 16 at the time). It was a hugely valuable time together as a family. The kids enjoyed me being around (I used to be out of the house from 7 am to 7 pm most days, sometimes longer). I enjoyed being around. Our front garden was glorious, and it was a lovely summer (unlike this one).
Time to rebuild and be idle
As previously mentioned, I was able to have time to rebuild. I treated myself as a project – trying new things, new routines and also spending time doing some serious idling.
One particular month I called my ‘hell month’ where I embraced every improvement element that I could think of. I became vegan, gave up alcohol, meditated, ran, got up at 6 am each day, journaled, stretched, cold showered. By the third week, I felt absolutely brilliant but obviously couldn’t keep up with all of it and had no idea which particular elements were really working!
This summer, while work has been busier, I took time out to build a massive raised deck at the back of the house – a pretty serious piece of construction, having taught myself carpentry during the first lockdown. I’ve also been building outdoor bars for friends and neighbours.
If you could tell yourself, or the rest of us, one thing on that day two years ago on how to get through the next two years, what would it be?
Really work out what’s important to you. Work out your super skills: what you do, what you want to do, why you do what you do, how you do what you do, what you value and what your values are.
Then build your life around this – not just your work life. Your whole life.
And be sure to tell people what’s important. Because in the telling you not only create the reality, the affirmation, but you also share with people how you tick, and they will respond accordingly (even if this means that they steer clear!)
Tell us the book or something you watched that got you through rubbish days?
For books, these stand out:
- Normal People – Sally Rooney was a very raw joy.
- Bangkok Wakes to Rain – Pitchaya Sudbanthad: I love Thailand and this was a time shifting novel in the model of David Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas (I loved The Bone Clocks by DM too).
- Imagine Me Gone: Adam Haslett was very moving
- Reboot by Jerry Colona (Ian’s favourite) was superb.
I ended up watching Schitt’s Creek, which I didn’t want to like but ended up loving. The family loved The Durrells for some escapism. I then worked through most of Walter Presents on All4.
What’s the one word or phrase you never want to hear again when we’re through all this?
Nothing in particular. However, the cabal of Johnson and his sycophants can just get to f**k. I never again want to hear any more disingenuous bile and hope that one day they are held accountable.
Kat MacLennan – Retail Strategist & Owner of Dot to Dot
Kat and I have met again since the original course, along with a few of the others. Again, one of those things that seem strange now, as we all got together in person in about February 2020, so not long before things turned upside down. When we were all talking about our hopes and fears for the six months ahead, we couldn’t have imagined any of what unfolded.
Here’s how Kat adapted and moved things on.
How long had you been running your own business/been self-employed when we met in 2019?
One year
What do you remember most about that day?
The connection and camaraderie of being with people in the same position as me. I think there is so much about being freelance that you only understand if you work in that way.
Were there any things that you particularly took out of Ian’s session that you still think about or do today?
The understanding that work ebbs and flows, to use the quiet time usefully and not to panic. Just keep on doing, and you will get there in the end.
So, we’ve been through 2 years like none of us could have imagined. What’s the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome as a small business owner?
The feeling of not being in control of what was happening was a massive challenge initially, but eventually it felt quite freeing; everything became quite insular. It was also hard only being with my household and the obvious worry about parents, older neighbours and the wider community.
I worry that even as things get back on track, the effects of the last two years as still not completely known. Everyone has been traumatised and affected in slightly different ways. The consequences will rumble on and resurface again, whether that is health-wise, mentally or financially.
Have you changed anything about how you work or what you do as a result of the pandemic?
I have picked up new clients as the pandemic has changed the way we shop, such as independent retailers who understand the advantage they have being local and community-based. Also, some in charity retail, which is booming. Consumers want to shop sustainably, support local communities and also donate everything they cleared out during lockdown.
I am also working with brands to link their online shops to bricks and mortar stores. This has always been important, but this need has accelerated over the pandemic.
Amid all the terrible news of the pandemic, were there any positives for you, at work or in your home life? Are you the person that did learn a new language or renovated a house?
I definitely didn’t learn a language or renovate a house. I felt that surviving and getting through the last 18 months was an achievement.
The positives were spending lots of time with my partner and his children and taking a step back from the world. The opportunities personally and professionally are not to strive to get back to how things were before the pandemic but to learn from the experience and look at new ways of living, learning and working.
If you could tell yourself, or the rest of us, one thing on that day two years ago on how to get through the next two years, what would it be?
Be calm, be patient, be consistent, keep doing what you do best.
Tell us the book or something you watched that got you through rubbish days?
I actually found it impossible to read books last year, and even watching films/TV was difficult; I have found it really hard to concentrate on anything. Only just getting my reading mojo back now.
What’s the one word or phrase you never want to hear again when we’re through all this
Unprecedented.
Next week I’ve got the stories from three more small business owners to share. Then the following week, I’m going to tell you why these stories, and yours, are important for more than just our collective memories of a historical event.
