There I was sat in my armchair on a dark January evening, happily flicking through my issue of Country Living, pretending I can buy a country mansion and fill it with beautiful antiques (hey - a girl can dream). Basically, I was in my happy place. I turned the page and came across an advert for something called the 'Kitchen Table Talent' business workshop day.
As my readers will know, I am in the early stages of a new creative project, and currently feeling like I'm peering over the edge of a precipice, pencils in hand, both a little excited and a little afraid of jumping off... I thought it was about time I met a few more people doing the same thing and listen to some much-desired advice.
And so I booked a shift off from my day job, signed up, and found myself into room full of creative women, most of whom had careers, children, and other commitments - and all of whom were asking;
"Am I supposed I be here?"
"Do I really count?"
"Is this for me?"
"Could I do that?"
Universally all of them. Even those with fantastic careers and a long string of successes to their name, which seemed pretty intimating to the likes of me! It seemed I was in good company.
I got a goodie bag out of it too |
Things I learned from the workshop:
- Your business can, and will, change.
Part of me always wants to change, expand and rethink my work so it's been struggle for me to feel I can confidently say exactly where things will go. So I must say it was a bit of a revelation when the speaker, Susy Smith, explained that change is actually good for your business. Come again? Yes - chasing perfection and trying to be everything to everyone will just hold you up. But being adaptable, flexible and responsive to your market is much better. I realize now that change is actually part of being creative. So follow where it leads and just launch!
- Build your network from those people already around you.
It's definitely dawning on me that creative people need to build a network around them to have success. Even if it is just fellow designers, they will inspire, encourage and shake up your ideas. It can be a lonely job sometimes. Too often I feel I need to start everything from scratch which can be so overwhelming. But after listening to the guest speakers, and to my fellow designer/makers, I was taught a very valuable lesson, and that is to ask; "What can I do with what I've already got?"
- You are further along than you think you are.
A strange thing happened as we networked around the room talking to each other about our creative business ideas - I stopped sounding like someone with an idea, and started to sound like someone with a plan. I think we are so conditioned to see achievement in a series of obvious steps - completed paperwork, an empty inbox, qualifications - that sometimes you can miss what you are creating for yourself day-by-day. Creativity is basically never finished. So what value can you put on ideas? Nothing in monetary terms, but they might be the most valuable asset you have. Hey... a girl can dream, right?
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