Today, the 28th March 2018, is a pivotal day in my life as it was 12 months ago today, that I left my job and started working for myself, after 20 years with the same company. 

I was nervous, apprehensive and worried about whether I could actually do this and whether it would work out for me. It was a massive step, and now that I’m looking back I’m so pleased I did it. It’s a massive change of life and pace and a massive learning curve but one that I have enjoyed. It has taught me a lot about myself, and my abilities, and not to doubt myself. 

Working for yourself, means extra hours, more work and lots more to think about, but it’s on your terms. No more office politics, and no more running around like a stressed headless chicken trying to please everyone else.  No more stressing about things not getting done, because no one can be bothered to return things on time, no more travelling for 45 minutes in to work and 45 minutes home again at the end of a hard and more often than not difficult and frustrating day. 

I left my job and literally hit the ground running. I attended my first BNI networking meeting on the following day, the 29th March and sat there very early in the morning wondering what I had actually done. It was a shock to the system and for several weeks I wondered whether BNI was right for me. I had never done any networking before, so everything was alien. I thought long and hard about BNI and was unsure if I would be able to get and give referrals as was required and I realised it was a big commitment to bring visitors and get subs to stand in for me. I chatted it over with my partner and my sister, and decided to give it a try. 

On my first BNI I arrived and walked in and was made to feel very welcome by everyone. I grabbed a coffee and started to mingle with the others. A mixed bunch of people, all from different walks of life and different professions from a web designer, photographer, builder, electrician, window fitter to mortgage advisor, financial people to a printer and a gardener and many more besides. There were 40+ businesses represented within the room. 

Everyone was seated at round tables, with coffee and juice in hand ready for the actual meeting to begin. There were short, 60 second presentations from everyone educating the room about their business. I stood up and mumbled something, but honestly can’t remember what I said. I was very nervous and I didn’t like public speaking then and still don’t now. There were two other people joining BNI that first morning along with me, so I wasn’t on my own at least. 

After a few weeks I started to settle into the swing of things. I started having meetings with others from the group,  building relationships and contacts. I was enjoying meeting lots of different people, some of whom I would never have met through normal circles. The help and information and the encouragement that I received was invaluable. People want you to succeed and offer any help and support they can. It is also a way of you helping others and this also gives you a sense of achievement. 

I purchased a new Mac and printer, sorted out my software and set to getting my business cards printed. I started looking at various options with regard to work. Sent out lots of emails introducing myself to several local printers and design agencies. Some responded and some didn’t, which I expected. I was looking for work for a couple of weeks, then a friend asked me to do some business cards and I was off and running. Slowly and surely the work started to come in, some from the networking group and some from contacts and friends. 

I had a mentor from BNI, who helped me through the first few weeks. Guiding me through and telling what to do and what was expected etc. I would be asked to bring in referrals and receive them from the others in the group and hopefully this would generate work for each other. At times during this process, I felt I was out of my depth and pushing myself to deal with things that were out of my comfort zone,  but ultimately I survived. 

I had to learn about book keeping, tax returns, managing my time, looking for customers, making sure they were happy with my work, building up my contacts and my network, but it was also about enjoying what I was doing and getting some creativity and passion back into my work. I  am loving the freedom, the flexibility and the realisation that there is a big wide wonderful world out there just waiting. 

BNI has been an invaluable asset to me and I don’t think I would be where I am now had I not joined. The whole process over the last 12 months has been totally positive. I hoped that BNI would help with my confidence and I think it has in some small part. I feel comfortable and part of a much bigger team, with each member on the look out for potential business for others within the group. 
My work has steadily increased and some of the smaller jobs have grown into much bigger things. Have had some lovely testimonials and feedback and customers keep coming back time after time, which is a great achievement. 

I’m passionate about doing a good job for people and comfortable with my ability. I’m pleased with how the first year has gone and my motto is onwards and upwards. 

All of the people I have worked with have been lovely. There are always pitfalls to working for someone or working for yourself, but ultimately I’m happier than I have been for a while and even if I don’t earn as  much money as before I need and want to do my own thing. 

As a one-man band you have to be organised and efficient. You are always looking for work or opportunities but the freedom and not having to do a 9-5 job outweighs everything for me. Keep your overheads low and to start with do as much as you can yourself. Build up contacts, connections and do as much networking as you can. When asked to do something be quick, efficient and stick to your quote  and above all make sure your customer is happy. 

Bill paying is a tricky area and one where I’m learning every day. Keep on top of your invoicing and make sure people pay your bills on time. I don’t like to chase people,  but it is inevitable I’ve had to. Most smaller companies, pay on time, as they are aware of cash flow issues. Getting a deposit upfront is a good idea and depending on the amount of work, determines whether I do this or not. 
The support I have had from my partner and my family has been amazing. I have a fantastic group of friends who have all been supportive and encouraging and I am so lucky to have them all in my life. 

I wonder what the next few years will hold once now going forward ….. only time will tell on that one I suppose!