Three months in.
So my last post has been a while back but big things have happened since my unexpected entrepenurial move. Where a few weeks ago I was sitting in my eighteen-square-meters living space, figuring out how to go from here and being angry at my former employer, I have now found a creative studio in this beautiful old building in Amsterdam where I'll move into at the end of July. I'm very excited, but more on that later.
Oh, and I wish them everything they wish me, doubled.
Life after my previous job has actually been pretty great the past few months. Of course the occaisional tumult has presented itself, but that's ok, since it's fair to say that this has been a life-changing decision at casa Zonderland. However, next to all my well-behaved and proper professional manners I have indulged in the "no job, no responsibilities" attitude, which is hard not take on. Let´s not forget that this is a process where structure has almost no meaning and weekends never have to finish...
While doing my best (not really) to regain any of my responsible insights back, I learned quite a bit about going at it on your own.
Here are my Top Ten Things I've learned so far as a freelance entrepeneur:
10)Almost everybody wants to help you when you have that enthusiastic sparkle in your eyes. Let them.
9)Do not start off with a low asker's fee. Instead, rate yourself fairly (read: above average rate) and give your customers a big discount. This way you not only offer your services at a very reasonable and competitive price, but you also leave growing room for when you've done more work and you have gotten your name on the map.
8)Don't piss off your tax-guy.
7)You can't be inspired all day, every day. Taking time off is not only healthy, it's necessary.'Inspireless days', as I like to call them, are to be used for spoiling yourself, smelling the roses and basking in the sun. Or, when you happen to live in Amsterdam where it rains every other day, your administration. And then a Caipirinha!
6)Find a fellow start-up or someone you can bond with over your gutsy move of just having become your own boss.
Share your dreams. Cry on their shoulder. Don't sleep with them.
5)"She makes a living out of doing that?!" Yes. Apparently there's a market for almost everything. You need not to worry.
4)If you're not dating anybody when commencing your business, get through the emotional starting phase alone. Adjust to your new life and your new "you" first before hopping into the emo-laden first stages of dating. Now is not the time for "one big order of 'what am I doing with my life' with an 'extra side of confusion', please!"
3)Take. Your. Time. Rome wasn't built in a day and neither was Kelly Wearstler's career. "Kelly who?!" My point exactly...
2)"It's either to network, or to not work". Learn it, live it, love it.
1)Getting started really is the 'most hardest' part.
Of course they don't call them lessons for nothing and almost all of the things listed above I'm now saying not to do...I've done.
And have enjoyed doing them rightfully so!
The real lesson in conclusion from this all is: Go ahead, make mistakes, have eggs land on your face! Just make sure you have a nice lavender-scented washcloth to wipe it off with, then put on your Sunday's best and continue being so awesome at what you do! I know I am ;-)
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So my last post has been a while back but big things have happened since my unexpected entrepenurial move. Where a few weeks ago I was sitting in my eighteen-square-meters living space, figuring out how to go from here and being angry at my former employer, I have now found a creative studio in this beautiful old building in Amsterdam where I'll move into at the end of July. I'm very excited, but more on that later.
Oh, and I wish them everything they wish me, doubled.
Life after my previous job has actually been pretty great the past few months. Of course the occaisional tumult has presented itself, but that's ok, since it's fair to say that this has been a life-changing decision at casa Zonderland. However, next to all my well-behaved and proper professional manners I have indulged in the "no job, no responsibilities" attitude, which is hard not take on. Let´s not forget that this is a process where structure has almost no meaning and weekends never have to finish...
While doing my best (not really) to regain any of my responsible insights back, I learned quite a bit about going at it on your own.
Here are my Top Ten Things I've learned so far as a freelance entrepeneur:
10)Almost everybody wants to help you when you have that enthusiastic sparkle in your eyes. Let them.
9)Do not start off with a low asker's fee. Instead, rate yourself fairly (read: above average rate) and give your customers a big discount. This way you not only offer your services at a very reasonable and competitive price, but you also leave growing room for when you've done more work and you have gotten your name on the map.
8)Don't piss off your tax-guy.
7)You can't be inspired all day, every day. Taking time off is not only healthy, it's necessary.'Inspireless days', as I like to call them, are to be used for spoiling yourself, smelling the roses and basking in the sun. Or, when you happen to live in Amsterdam where it rains every other day, your administration. And then a Caipirinha!
6)Find a fellow start-up or someone you can bond with over your gutsy move of just having become your own boss.
Share your dreams. Cry on their shoulder. Don't sleep with them.
5)"She makes a living out of doing that?!" Yes. Apparently there's a market for almost everything. You need not to worry.
4)If you're not dating anybody when commencing your business, get through the emotional starting phase alone. Adjust to your new life and your new "you" first before hopping into the emo-laden first stages of dating. Now is not the time for "one big order of 'what am I doing with my life' with an 'extra side of confusion', please!"
3)Take. Your. Time. Rome wasn't built in a day and neither was Kelly Wearstler's career. "Kelly who?!" My point exactly...
2)"It's either to network, or to not work". Learn it, live it, love it.
1)Getting started really is the 'most hardest' part.
Of course they don't call them lessons for nothing and almost all of the things listed above I'm now saying not to do...I've done.
And have enjoyed doing them rightfully so!
The real lesson in conclusion from this all is: Go ahead, make mistakes, have eggs land on your face! Just make sure you have a nice lavender-scented washcloth to wipe it off with, then put on your Sunday's best and continue being so awesome at what you do! I know I am ;-)
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