This June, I’m celebrating 5 years of the Strategic Peacock! Over the past 5 years I’ve worked with more than 25 small businesses, non-profit organizations and schools to help them optimize their online presence, as well as their strategies for sustaining and evolving their presence.
To be honest, five years went by pretty quickly. So much so, that I took a moment to think about all that I’ve learned since the start.
Take the time to do it right.
There’s no better teacher than watching someone else’s mistakes. When I decided that I was going to start my own business, I took the time to enlist the a bevy of advisors to help me understand what I needed to do to set myself up for success. From financial advisors to attorneys to a thoughtful group of women consultants, I established the right processes that would help me navigate the business world at the local, state and federal levels.
Experiment and evolve.
One of my favorite things about being a business owner is having the freedom to experiment with new ways of working. I was no longer forced into a 9-5 world. I usually work better in the late afternoon/early evening, and having clients in multiple time zones helped me figure out how to structure my day so that I could be productive and inspired while meeting the needs of my clients.
Know your value.
Working with other professionals helped me understand that knowing what you are worth is very empowering. All small business owners struggle to figure out their price points, worried that others may not agree. Taking the time to know your clients can help you understand what’s most valuable to them – sometime it’s your time, while for others it’s your expertise.
Have fun.
One of the perks of having your own business is doing the things you want to do. I take long walks with my dog. I work from coffee shops. I take naps. Creating a work environment that makes you want to work is exciting and motivating.
Work with people who make you better.
My clients are amazing people with amazing careers. Some are small business owners like me and others work for organizations they believe in. I learn so much from my clients — how they work, their challenges, their strengths — all of which helps me be better at how I help them.
Thanks to everyone who has made these past 5 years possible! Cheers!