And by ‘coming up for air’ I mean peeking my head out and dementedly gasping before plunging back down to resume the craziness that has become my normal.
At the end of 2017, I was determined to practice what I preached on the marketing front, be as visible as possible online and ever responsive. Then I was asked to be part of a project that took me way off the course I had imposed upon myself.
The rise of Palette and Pasture started with some graphic design projects, but within a few short months, spiralled into 3 huge projects, one of which, the Country Market, I am now a partner in. It is a very different path, but a brilliant evolution of what I had in mind.
Also at the end of 2017, my rather lovely boyfriend took me to Paris for my birthday, marched me (and my flu) to the top of the Eiffel Tower and proposed! In true Robin and Rowena style, we didn’t hang about – we got married straight away, planned a huge party to celebrate and when I looked up it was July.
When you’ve been chasing your own backside around like a nutter for a prolonged period of time, you learn a lot very quickly. Because you have to.
Here’s what I’ve learned so far in 2018 (I’m sure I’ll learn plenty more):
People are drawn to people.
I’ve mentioned this a lot in my marketing tips, but the reality/extent of it hadn’t really sunk in. My reality is that first and foremost, I’m a mother of 3. Everything I do must fit around them, it’s a tough pill to swallow at times, but I signed up for it and if you want to work with me, then you have to too. I was so worried about my professionalism that I created a version of myself that just didn’t cut it. My real personality was always going to come through, so it had to be embraced
My brand was too clinical.
Too neat and compartmentalised. Again, not really how I roll. When you’re starting out, you need to accept that there will be a level of evolution, maybe even a comletely different path. You’ll meet people and be offered opportunities that you never even considered. Go with it, learn things, meet people. I had to go back over everything and make adjustments to my packages, prices, the look and copy of my website and online appearance. I think I’ve got it now…
Children and work are basically a shitty mix.
Especially when your youngest is a rageful toddler and your ‘office’ is the corner of a room in your house. I have a few things in place that allow me to get on with various projects undisturbed for an hour or two, here and there. I’m invariably surrounded by crap, my house looks like squatters live here, and after I had the AUDACITY to go away for a couple of days, my cat has restarted his long term dirty protest involving my front door mat.
I love it.
I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way, (an actual office would be nice though) Robin supports my every decision, my kids are gorgeous and the projects I’ve worked on have been exciting and rewarding. I strop and stress (put really lightly) and everything always comes together as it should. I’m beginning to think that I might be quite good at this… Mostly.