Becoming your own boss

I love all things vintage and sewing is my favourite hobby

What are the key characteristics needed, in your opinion, to becoming your own boss?


Determination, discipline and self-belief to name just a few !


I have always been crafting and in the last 10 years did the occasional craft fair, but it was not until I was made redundant last year, that I decided to become self employed full-time.

 In retrospective, I doubt that I would be able to make it success if I become self-employed all those years ago. Amazingly the experience of operational management and the business development knowledge from my previous job just clicked in to place when I was setting up my own business.

That's me hiding behind a cake!
It’s not just good enough to be able to make something (which of course is where everyone starts) but to survive you need to learn other skills as well. I see my business like a three legged stool, which is formed of skills, marketing and finances. As boring as this might sound, without marketing I would just have a room full of lovely fabric decorations, but no customers. And without understanding my business finances inside out, I would probably end up with no business at all ! So, my advice is to keep the three legs just about the same length, otherwise your business is going to wobble or worse fall down like the crooked stool…

I always knew that websites and social media were important, but did not realise how important until I needed to embrace them for my own business. A year ago, we just had a rusty old computer for the occasional e-mail at home, but I knew, that if I was serious about my business I had to learn everything there is about websites, social media and on-line networking. So, my first business investment was not a fabric or more tools, but a laptop. Year on, I have built my own website and I can see the positive impact of Facebook and Twitter on my business.




How have you made it work for you?

I was determined, to make my new business success, but that on it is own wouldn’t have been enough. I enjoyed learning new skills of building website and setting up Facebook business page  or taking better pictures. When I embark on something new, whether it’s a product or a website design, I would always do a lot of research first, to know my competitors well, read the latest on web designs or find out more about SEO.

On the practical side, I took a part-time job to take off pressure of not having any regular income. It was also good to have couple of days a week off doing something completely different and meeting new people.

I set myself realistic targets. I wrote my own business plan (as a recovering Managing Director I’m rather good at that !), but I knew, that success would not happen over night. The business plan actually helped me to stay focused during the first year and keep me on my toes to make sure I stay on target. 


Each day I have only two things on my ‘To Do’ list and I make sure I actually do them – anything else is a bonus. Try it and you would be surprised how much you really can get done !
Getting ready for my Bread Making Course

How do you keep your creativity and motivation alive?

Sometimes, it’s difficult to keep motivated, especially if there a lots to do. I find, that it helps to switch from something creative to routine tasks. So, if I tried to re-design a greeting card for the fifth time and it’s still not right, I know, I just need a break from it and switch to working on something else. That way, I’m still working, but not wasting time.


I also found, that it made a big difference when I consciously ‘allowed myself’ to have at least ½ day a week for developing new ideas and designs. They might not come to anything, but it’s important to create a bit of a head space without feeling pressurised. 

And if I’m feeling down, I remember the many ‘Thank You’ letters that I regularly get from my customers. It’s so lovely to know, that I helped somebody to make bread and that they continued to develop the skills or that my personalised fabric bunny has made a little girl very happy.

This Jumping Rabbit was a personalised commission.
 

What are the advantages? And how do they outweigh any disadvantages?

The advantage of working for yourself is that you can choose your own working hours !? Inevitably, that means getting up at 5.30 am on Sunday to get ready for your Bread Making Course and making sourdough demi-brioche samples ready for pick up later that day. It also means working until 2 am the day before any Craft Fair.
Common mistake of all self-employed people is that they see everyday like a ‘Neapolitan Ice Cream’ – do a bit of work, then housework, then a bit of time off and so on. Unfortunately, like the ice cream in time everything melts into grey mush, so I try to have at least 24 hrs without anything business orientated every 7 days. If you are workaholic like me, it’s a definite must !

 This is a full version of the article I have written for Craftseller about being your own boss. Published in February 2013 issue. 

39 comments:

  1. I loved learning more about you on this post! Being your own boss it's the best move I've ever made! You have so many awesome post! I will certainly be back!!

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  2. I have been my own boss for a long time now. It was the best choice I could have made. First, I always get to be home with my family which is the most important thing in the world! Second, I don't need to ask permission to do anything, I don't need to compromise my values for someone else, and I can remain true to myself at all times. Wishing you the best in your blogging!

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  3. Working from home for me i was also finding i was almost drowning at times and then it clicked that i NEED to take days of in order to refocus, re-energize and do other things I love!

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  4. I would love to be my own boss but I lack the motivation to keep moving forward. I am not as ambitious as I could be. I do have an Etsy shop (www.etsy.com/shop/journeykatkorner) and love selling my creations but that is about all I am able to do. I work a full time job and my children are all grown.

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  5. I appreciate your ambition to be your own boss. I have never had that drive. The closest I come now is with my etsy shop (www.etsy.com/shop/journeykatkorner)where I sell my crocheted items and that is enough for me with a full time job.

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  6. Sounds like you are doing great with your new business! Good luck on being your own boss...I hope you have lots of success!

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  7. These are some great tips, it's hard to see how much actually goes into being your own boss! Good luck with your business!
    -Tiff

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  8. These are fantastic tips! Good luck with your business, it sounds like you have a real handle on what's important, taking time off is so valuable!
    -Tiff

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  9. Your crafts are gorgeous! I think your passion will take you far. This is a very inspirational and educational post.

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  10. I've always wanted to be my own boss (and I've thought about it a lot), but I just don't know where to start of how-to begin, which sucks. I'd love to have my own at-home catering company (I LOVE cooking) but the problem is, I don't know where to (or how to) begin. I cook for my friends and family, and on occasion I get custom orders, but I'd love to do it full-time. Good luck with your business, and thanks for sharing your tips.

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  11. I'm taking better pics because I find that's super important for website appeal. Without good quality photos, the blog post just falls flat no matter how great the content. I'm new at blogging so I'm still learning.
    Divachyk @ Relaxed Thairapy

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  12. I like that you mention to take a break from business stuff. I am sure as a self employed person, that is difficult to do. I wish you were closer or did an online class, because your bread making class sounds great!

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  13. This was so helpful, as I started my own cupcake business this past spring. I'm going to try your tips of taking 1 day off (so hard!) a week and putting 2 tasks on my daily to-do list. Thanks for the tips and best wishes to you!

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  14. I love being my own boss. I am always inventing ways of making money.

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  15. I agree that being your own boss requires more than just skill. I learned this the hard way. I've been a freelance writer since 2008, and really thought I could just offer up my services and people would snatch them up. It so didn't work that way! Good luck with your business!!

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  16. While I don't necessarily have my own business, I have my own blog, and I am trying to make it profitable. Social media is extremely important, and I am still (after over three years) just learning to tap into all that is available in social media. It looks you have accomplished a lot--keep up the good work!

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  17. Good tips for starting a business. The ice-cream analogy is a great one- it does all become a grey mess. I feel that way about my life most days- kids, house work, school work, website, social media, email, workout, dinner...what a mess! I have, like you, made a point of getting out of business mode for at least 24 hours in row every week. It's made a world of difference in my personal life.

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  18. You def. seem to have a good balance of the skills needed to be your own boss, and your things look lovely!! I love all of the creativity and ideas available now online, it does seem to make marketing yourself so much easier, and thankfully my hubby is good with finances:-) best of luck in your future endeavors!!

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  19. Thank you for sharing!
    I recently started blogging and I will keep in mind to take time off, completely off (not that I have to right now, but if hopefully my blog gets bigger) and recharge and enjoy my life because I am able to do so!

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  20. Well, you sound like you have it all together and made it work. I work from home for a company and that takes discipline too. Sometimes it is not easy. I would like my own business even though I don't know what it would be, but I wonder if I do have what it takes to make it work. Thank you for the insight to your life.

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  21. I want to be my own boss but I haven't found something that I'm really passionate about and I lack the motivation. One day maybe. It's great for you that you are determined! Keep going!

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  22. Magdalena, thank you so much for this interview-style post. I am new to blogging, and it is wonderful to come across a post that gives strategic tools in making your own business effective. I especially appreciate how you outlined how important it is to do your research, set up ramifications for yourself and business, as well as balance time for yourself to just be "creative". Thank you!

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  23. Oh my, your ice cream analogy sums up our life very well. We live upside down with family time in the mornings with work ending at midnight. In the middle who knows what happens when. But having our own business is right for us.

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  24. Great tips! I wish I had some cool crafting skills or products to sell! I've been blogging for a couple of years and doing product reviews to monetize my blog. I guess that's a start to becoming my own boss!

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  25. I love the tip: shift from creative to routine! This really works wonders to get a lot of things done! Thanks for sharing! Good luck to your business! :)

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  26. I believe that people that work for themselves need dedication, organization, and ambition. I have been working for myself for a year now!

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  27. I love how creative you are! I want to be more creative but never seem to have enough time! Thanks for sharing your awesome article!

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  28. Your post is wonderful and real. It is clear that you are talented but it is also clear that you have the self discipline it takes to stay focused on your goals. My problem has always been that I got side tracked along the way to fulfilling my dreams. I'm older now but it is never too late, so thank you for sharing and good luck!

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  29. This is great! I am trying to figure out what I want to do with my blog. I have just recently become a SAHM and have never really done work that wasn't for someone else so this article helped me a lot to get more direction.

    Have a good one!

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  30. Good for you for making your business work! It does take hard work, dedicatiin and business knowledge. I found that my business background really helps even with my blogging. Good luck!

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  31. I am striving to work for myself. I taught myself how to sew and crochet about 4 years ago.. now just to get the business part up and going. love your blog!

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  32. I really try to use what I see around me to keep my creativity flowing. Sometimes it's a display I see at a store, sometimes it's a blog post from one of my favorite blogs. Pinterest has become a huge source of inspiration for me, and sometimes it's necessity too!

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  33. I really try to use what I see around me to keep my creativity flowing. Sometimes it's a display I see at a store, sometimes it's a blog post from one of my favorite blogs. Pinterest has become a huge source of inspiration for me, and sometimes it's necessity too!

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  34. Super helpful! I am trying to become my own boss, too (while juggling two other jobs), and I'm finding the balance between those three stool legs to be tricky. Some days I create, and some days I make do with the more menial tasks. It helps keep the creative juices flowing if I don't force my self to create. I like your idea of only two to-do items each day. I'm going to use that.

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  35. Great post! You are so right! There is a lot that goes into it! I always take Sundays off, and it is definitely necessary! It sounds like you really have a very set plan. I hope your business continues to flourish!

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  36. I am doing the part time work gig as well, and then using what time I have spare to learn, grow and create. A great, honest post that offers great advice for those dreaming of their own business.

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  37. Good advice. Love your neopolitan ice cream reference as I do struggle with managing all of life with my own business at times.

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  38. Awesome posts! You have given some great tips. I, too, am a small business owner; I have a decorating business that I LOVE. One of the things that I struggle with is staying on top of my To Do list. I'm going to try your "two tasks a day" approach. It seems like it'll really work for me.

    Whitney

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  39. I definitely saved this one. I am so encouraged and inspired to begin so many business at once, my desire to succeed is getting in the way of my focus.

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