A big thanks to all my Clients, Associates and LinkedIn network colleagues for all your support these past 10 years – it has been invaluable.

Reflecting on the past decade made me think about what I’ve learned and here’s my top 10 tips for anyone deciding to set up in business on their own.

  1. Self-belief. Don’t compare yourself to others, you are your USP. Think about who you can turn to for encouragement and support.
  2. Integrity. Not “Business” at any cost, be true to your values and beliefs.
  3. Expertise. Surround yourself with experts in their field and learn from, or even work with them.
  4. Lifelong Learning. Try and incorporate learning something new every month, even if that’s attending a seminar to keep your knowledge refreshed and current. Trust me, at the beginning of your journey, your head will explode with the amount of learning you have to do!
  5. Networking. It’s key in the people business and LinkedIn is a great tool when you can’t do the face to face kind. Use your network for information, general support and pointers to other information and sources of advice.
  6. Groups / Forums. Research local business groups (but not the big fee joining one’s!). These were a great source of morale support and education for me and if you’re lucky, you might even get some referrals.
  7. Free Stuff. Give-aways can be great, but be clear on the value to you/your business and whether you expect to get something in return. Be genuine but be aware of the disingenuous.
  8. Volunteering. A great opportunity to give something back, whether that’s using your expertise as part of a professional body or providing mock interviews at local schools.
  9. Thanks. Don’t forget to go back and say thanks to those who have referred or supported you and ask if there’s anything you can do for them.
  10. Personal Time. Plan your time effectively but don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s not about sitting in front of your pc for 8 hours a day.  Factor in time to relax, attend to family and domestic responsibilities and have a social life.

I have learnt that you are never too old to change your career and if I can help anyone who wants to have a chat about their next steps, or just needs a friendly ear, then please get in touch.