It’s two years since the baby owlet Hoolet was born as a business start-up.
I reflected on the first year and frankly there is no way that was a year ago…
However, with a whole 24 months of running a business under the belt now, I am once more going to pass on my owl-like words of wisdom.
Lesson 1: it gets no easier
Now, I don’t mean to start off on a pessimistic note, but for some reason I thought it might be a little like flying. Once you got up and going, it would be effortless.
Well no, the conundrums and questions keep coming.
The flipside of this is that they tend to be new conundrums and questions, which is a sign you keep learning.
And if you keep learning, you keep growing which is important in a start-up.
Which leads me on to…
Lesson 2: learn to lean
The learning curve was steep when I started, and it has continued at that angle.
And now when something disastrous happens in Sharepoint, I can’t take the time to Google how to fix it. Which is why I outsource my IT to the marvellously helpful guys at Simblox.
Having an employee was another huge start – coo-ee Colin! Where do you start? Having the wise counsel (and contacts) of Guilherme at Business Gateway and the expertise of Tracy at TLC Accounts was invaluable
Maybe I don’t have the detailed and frankly geeky knowledge of all things at my fingertips any more, but I have learned to trust people who know more than me.
So if you can manage to stay calm and accept that things changing is probably progress, you’ll begin to thrive.
Lesson 3: look back as well as forwards
Which leads me onto number 3 – remember to look back as well as forwards.
One of my flaws is an absolute focus on what is coming over the horizon. The next challenge, the next triumph, the next amazing client to work with.
A wise lady once told me that you need to appreciate the journey, not the destination, and a good part of that is looking back at the path you’ve already taken.
When I started, I made £800 in the first five months of trading. This wasn’t going to keep us in dog biscuits. But I kept plugging away, trying different things, speaking to different people and my belief in Hoolet slowly started to pay off.
And reflecting on the highs and successes is a large part of that – the equivalent of smelling the flowers, or preening your feathers.
Some are business successes. In our recent work with Aberdeen Arts Centre, we were really clear on what we were setting out to achieve – a brand repositioning. We told them what they could expect and then delivered on it. They were an absolute dream to work with and everything went to plan. One of those projects where you feel your professional expertise delivered real value to a client.
Some are personal successes. I’ve always enjoyed a rather eclectic work environment.
So overseeing a strawberry tart photoshoot with Colin Rennie, or uncovering the subtleties of making candles with Colin “no relation” Fraser at Dundee Candle Works are moments that remind me I am actually living the dream.
Interviewing Highland cattle (and Grace Noble) in the middle of a freezing field in Deeside with the guys from SHMU.
Seeing the sewing machines in action on the cashmere with Johnstons of Elgin with DYW Moray.
And then there was of course the lobster fishing trip with Murray McBay, writing a piece for RAC motorists.
Lesson 4: be grateful for friends
And number 4 remains the same as ever – my absolute gratitude to a whole army of people involved in creating a business start-up.
Some have been there from the start, some have reappeared, others are enjoying the delights of the Hoolet perspective for the first time.
Some have been unexpected, some utterly dependable and loyal supporters.
Thank you one and all for the part you’ve played in the success of the first two years of Hoolet.
Hoolet is a strategic communications consultancy. Come say hello on Twitter at @hoolet_hoots, or follow us on LinkedIn. You can read more blogs here.
2 thoughts on “Twooooo years into a business start-up”
And still growing Joanna, “every day, is a school day” is a saying I heard many years ago, and still use to this day. Your hard work, effort and dedication to doing what it is you do, is so evident, Hoolet continues to grow. Congratulations on year twooooooo !!!!
Thank you, sir.
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