My 2 Years in Business - My Biggest Learnings & What's Made the Difference
Reflecting on my two-year journey in this business, I am filled with gratitude for the valuable lessons I have learned and the factors that have truly made a difference. Throughout this time, six distinct areas have had a significant impact on my business: People, Socials, Networks, Business Tools, Family, and Me. In this blog post, I want to share my experiences and insights from each of these areas that have contributed to my growth and success. And I hope they inspire you to take action in these areas :)
This episode is also available as a half hour podcast episode on The Jen Lister Podcast - click here to take a listen on Spotify or Apple podcasts.
Me: Defining My Values and Priorities
One of the most crucial aspects of starting a business is being clear with yourself about what you represent, what you believe in, and what is important to you. We are so influenced by other people - colleagues, friends and family members (I know I am guilty of this a lot), so taking the time out on your own to figure out your true self when it comes to your business is so important.
I would advise you to invest in a journal for your crazy ideas and thoughts for your business. Spend time noting things down, figuring things out and setting your goals (no matter how scary).
I also found that taking the time out to understand my values and priorities has guided my decision-making, fueled my passion, and provided a strong foundation for my business.
And my biggest tip, is don’t look at your competitors - focus on you and your own business. Competitors can bring in all sorts of feelings of imposter syndrome, and you need to focus on being YOU!
People: Investing in Support and Collaboration
Recognising the value of investing in others, I enlisted the help of key individuals who have propelled my business forward. Here are some of the people I have worked with during my journey:-
My trusted business coach
My Virtual Assistant and brother Dean Bardrick
My cousin and podcast producer Tom Strike from Strike Productions
Amazing brand photographers Kika Mitchell, Hiral Jethwa, and Ben Lister
…Their contributions have been game-changing. First of all, delegating certain tasks allowed me to focus on client-facing activities I love, enhancing both productivity and client satisfaction. And having powerful brand photography has truly helped me with consistency on socials, website development and ultimately being clear on my brand!
Socials: Nurturing Meaningful Connections
Despite the draining nature of social media (tell me I’m not the only one!), I have discovered beautiful moments and meaningful connections that have impacted my business positively. Through platforms like Instagram, I had the privilege of meeting so many inspiring individuals, including Pariss Sailsman, founder of Journal to Dreams. I have virtual coffees and collaborate with a number of my new colleagues and friends I’ve met on Insta and I will always be grateful for that!
Plus, leveraging the support of my Virtual Assistant, I have learned to use social media in a way that aligned with my goals and maximised opportunities. I focus on the elements of social media I love (stories and engagement), and I outsource the stuff that drains the life out of me (grid posts).
So take the time out to think about what you love and don’t love about socials and see if you can find a creative way to build this into your business.
Networks: Finding Your Tribe
Joining a supportive network like The Village before launching my business provided the support I needed and introduced me to like-minded individuals facing similar challenges (I had just had a baby so I needed all the support I could get!).
Networking became an invaluable resource for me, allowing me to connect with fellow business owners and parents. I encourage others to explore different networks, attend events, and find their tribe, as the right network can provide invaluable support and opportunities.
Like I said before, friends and family are great, but within a business network, you can find people that truly get the life of a business owner and the juggle of home and family life alongside that.
Business Tools: Streamlining Operations
In my business journey, I discovered several tools that have simplified and enhanced my operations. I want to share these with you, as it can really be overwhelming when you start to look at this part of your business.
I use Squarespace for my website and trained myself up on it to launch my website - I genuinely love it!
I use Canva when I need to create designs for marketing, social media and my podcast and it’s so easy to use and fun.
Google My Business is an incredible tool for your search engine optimisation (SEO) and enhanced discoverability - I now get regular leads through google as a result.
I use Xero for financial management and this has provided me with valuable insights into my business's overall health.
I chose Buzzsprout for podcast hosting which gives me all sorts of analytics for my podcast, including opportunities for growth.
So there is a selection of systems I use and love. There are plenty of other options out there, but I wanted to give you a flavour of some that I recommend to help you on your way.
Family: Balancing Openness and Boundaries
Finally, I would say that navigating the entrepreneurial path requires open and honest communication within the family unit. Establishing clear boundaries while discussing priorities, goals, and mutual support has been essential for me.
Before I even started my business, I had conversations with me family so we could figure out a way to align our career goals and ensure we were also meeting our family’s needs. One of the best ways we did this was by creating a vision board. This has a magical way of bringing together the family in a joint vision for the future. We re-do our vision board every year and I would highly recommend doing this!
In summary
My two years in business have been an incredible journey of growth, learning, and self-discovery. By recognising the impact of eople, Socials, Networks, Business Tools, Family, and Me, I have been able to navigate challenges, embrace opportunities, and build a thriving business. I encourage aspiring entrepreneurs to reflect on these areas, seeking support, leveraging the power of connections, and aligning their actions with their values to create a strong foundation for their own entrepreneurial success.
I LOVE hearing your learnings and aspirations in business - so if you want to chat more about your business together then you can book a complimentary 30 minute chat here.
