Three years of working for myself and I sometimes 

can’t believe it. January 29, 2021

It’s been almost three years since I started working for myself and I have to say I couldn’t be happier. 

Things have been progressing steadily year on year and I’m pleased to have got through 2020 in one piece with all the turmoil and uncertainty that’s happened in the world with the Covid issues.  I’ve worked hard and feel I’ve grown as a person as well as in business. I don’t pretend to know everything and I’m still learning, but that’s what makes it interesting. The positives definitely outweigh the negatives, if I could think of anything that is and like anything I have learned a couple of valuable lessons along the way, such as people not paying their bills and difficult customers, but as long as you learn by them, then they are not wasted moments. We all learn from our mistakes and we wouldn’t be human if we didn’t make them. 

I have fabulous customers, and love working with lots of different people and companies on many different products. Variety is really good and keeps things interesting. I’ve helped with logos, business stationery, flyers, brochures, folders, posters, vehicle graphics, icons, books, adverts…the list is endless and I could go on and on, but I won’t. 

I’ve kept up my networking group BNI Academy and have been the ST this year as part of the leadership team. It’s been a strange year as we’ve had all of our meetings on Zoom which has been, at times, hard going. It took a bit of getting used to but I think we’ve done a pretty good job, all considering and the group has maintained a good level of members and new members. I’ve not done any other networking really as I’ve felt a bit zoomed out with meetings, 121s and work, but I will hopefully be able to pick things up when / if we are allowed to meet people again, face to face. I’m missing the interaction, but understand why we are not able to do certain things at the moment. I’ve adapted and survived. 

There have been lots of people who’s businesses have struggled because of COVID and some have not survived which is tough and extremely sad when they’ve invested blood, sweat and tears for years. It’s at times like these that a supportive and helpful network comes into play. 

I reflect on how my life has changed. No more office politics, no stress related to work issues, no more battling with people, I’m working from home, so no travel backwards and forwards and I can pick the times I work which has been great. I’m saving hundreds of pounds a year on travelling and commuting to and from work, plus no need to buy special work clothes and spend money on things because I popped to the supermarket at lunchtime, mainly to get away from my office, for bread and came out with £30 worth of rubbish that I didn’t really need. 

Feeling grateful to lots of people for helping me achieve my goals. In return I have tried to help other people in their business too which is a great feeling knowing I’ve done that as well. 2021 will be a strange year but I will continue to help others were I can and progress myself forward if I can. I’m grateful and thankful for everything I have, a great family, and although it’s small, they are loving, caring and supportive.  Great friends, young and old, and all from very different backgrounds, they are all diverse in age and in everything they are. A great supportive network group, where everyone wants to help you in your business. I have a lovely house, enough food and clothes and health wise, my family are all well. Things could be so much tougher than they are and for those people who find themselves in that situation, I hope things improve. 

On a personal level my partner, who helped me when I started working for myself, has semi-retired, so I’m now repaying the favour to him. It’s great that he can now take some time out and find a job that he wants to do with better hours and no silly shifts. 

The start of 2021 was as anticipated, but with hope on the horizon with the new vaccine in sight and a return to some sort of normality things are starting to feel better. The start for me was good and I started off with work immediately after my Christmas and New Year break. My BNI meetings started on the 8th January, again on Zoom, but it was good to get back into a routine. 

Brexit has happened, so only time will tell what happens there, but again I’m hoping for the best. It doesn’t affect me on a day to day basis on my work, but I’m sure it will impact me on the price of certain things, travel to and from Europe etc. 

Looking forward to working through 2021 and into 2022, going forward and upwards and onwards. 

Rachel Yarwood

Raywood Graphic Design

Rachelyarwood@aol.com |  raywoodgraphicdesign@gmail.com