Settling in: 5 things I've learned running a small design studio
Coase Design is now well past its 1st birthday. As the months turn into years (and the plants on my desk grow taller and healthier) I find myself settling into the rhythm of running my own little design studio.
It's taken a lot of work getting to this stage, and I'm really starting to believe this company will be my long-term professional future.
With 16 months of trading under my belt I wanted to take a few minutes to reflect, and to share some key lessons I've learned so far.
1: It's okay to say no
This is probably the simplest piece of advice I could give, and the one that took me longest to figure out. Learn to say "No".
In the early days of my business I was casting the net wide. I accepted work from anywhere and everywhere, even if it wasn't the best fit for my skills, or wasn't sufficiently well-paid to justify the time and resources it cost me.
Of course not every project can offer the dream design brief, but looking back I realise I had a 'gut' feeling about several pieces of work that just weren't for me. Listening to those instincts could have saved me many weeks of frustration with unsuitable projects and unrealistic constraints. Now I have the confidence to simply say "No" (or, better still, "No, thank you, because...").
2: Make time to make content
If 'n' and 'o' have become my favourite 2-letter combination, there are three others which seem determined to make life difficult: N-D-A.
An NDA (Non Disclosure Agreement) is a contract between the client and the designer to protect sensitive information regarding the project. This can often prohibit even the most general discussion of the project, or even its very existence.
In reality, NDAs are a very good thing, and of course I always respect the terms of the agreement. But boy do they make it tricky to publicise design projects and showcase your work.
That's why it's important to take some time to work on designs and projects which you are able to share freely. It's important to showcase your skills as they develop.
Personally I've dropped the ball on this one recently. I'm resolving to make more time to create content for my website and social media. Instagram isn't everything, but it's a really fantastic tool for a small design company like mine. In my opinion it would be foolish not to make the most of it.
3: Plan ahead - business takes time
It didn't take long for the reality of a typical project timescale to hit home. Confirming a new project can be an exciting moment, but it usually takes several months from initial discussions with a client before the first payment actually lands in your bank account.
Because of this, it's really important to plan ahead. When things are busy and there are deadlines looming it can seem difficult finding the time to plan for future projects. But keeping the momentum up will ensure you always have a comfortable workload to keep you busy. Once one big project is wrapped up you can step straight into the next one (okay, maybe with a nice little vacation in between), all without the 'cliff-edge' of finding yourself without work for an extended period.
4: Ask for help
Starting and running a new business alone is a lot to take on. Is it exciting? Yes! Is it rewarding? You bet! But can it also be overwhelming? Abso-bloody-lutely it can. Reaching out for help is essential, both for the success of the company, and for your own mental health.
Leaning on friends & family to vent about issues or enthuse about new developments can be great, but I realised I could really use some more formal targeted guidance. Enter 'Bergen Opportunity'; a mentorship scheme run by Bergen Chamber of Commerce to help the professional development of people from international backgrounds (Team UK, I'm your guy).
Being paired with a mentor for 12 months gives structured guidance from someone who can really get to know me and my business, and offer advice on a personal and professional level. I'm really excited for this one!
If that sounds good to you then look for similar schemes in your local area. If none exist, reach out to your professional network on LinkedIn. So many people are generous with their advice, and I've learned a lot from my connections there.
The 2021/22 intake for the Bergen Opportunity mentorship scheme (featuring yours truly). I'm excited to get to know this impressive group of people!
5: Enjoy the ride
With the constant push for progress and security it's easy to forget to take stock of what you've already achieved. Recently I've found myself enjoying the little moments which I realise were part of the appeal when deciding to 'go solo' in the first place.
Whether it's meeting a friend for an afternoon coffee in town, seeing the end result of a design project in the flesh, or even impulse-booking a vacation because there's no boss to answer to; be sure to appreciate the progress you're making.
Setting up this company wasn't just about my professional design ambitions; it was also an attempt to find a healthier work-life balance, and to enjoy a higher level of freedom to travel. So far, so good. Fingers crossed that will continue to be the case going forward...
If you've found this article relevant, or you're thinking of taking a similar step in setting up your own design business, feel free to get in touch any time. I'm a long way from being an expert, but I'd be happy to share my experiences so far, as others have been kind enough to share with me along the way.