*Recent scenes from my remote working trip on the magical windswept Isle of Anglesey/Ynys Môn
I’ve always loved small, independent businesses and one-person brands…I’m a lover of craft and depth and when I come across a brand that feels full of soul, I immediately connect and feel excited. It’s a welcome antidote to feeling like the world is shifting and accelerating towards a terrible place full of corporate homogenous offerings purely about profit, GROWTH and efficiency. And when these things are at the core, people and planet get left behind.
When we start our businesses, we are bombarded with messages about growth. In discussions with business advisors, attending events and even taking part in local business programs, the message was always the same… GROW, TAKE ON STAFF… and for me that looked like doing less design, less creative stuff and more admin, management and STRESS!
So after a brief flirtation with trying that out, I promptly decided it’s not for me. I know I want the freedom to head off in my van and explore. Having that bigger agency with people working for me and being on-demand for clients just didn’t feel right.
It’s only recently that I’ve felt happy with my choice and that I’m not failing or avoiding fulfilling my potential. I’d often question my choice when I saw other business owners traditionally growing or find myself feeling a bit embarrassed when asked who works for me and I say my business is ‘Just me’. Not anymore… I’m going to proudly say ‘It’s ME!”
I’ve not seen many other people talk about the joy of staying small as a one-person solopreneur (@George Kao thankyou always does!). But then I read an interview with the inspirational Sally McGee who has an amazing, empowering surf school and brand called Yonder.
She shared how she wants to be the one in the water, keeping it small, knowing everyone who gets on a wave and making the whole experience feel special, connected and deep. She could easily grow and take on other teachers. Instead she’s grown in a way that works for her. Keeping her business lean, working with charities and getting marginalised groups out into the water. This, for a soul-led business owner, is more growth than £££$$$.
I type this as I finish for my usual August break where I’ll be heading off on a campervan adventure. I’m feeling fulfilled after creating a lovely new brand this week for a nature-inspired coach from one of my customisable brand kits and spending last week on 2 Design Days, I have this deep sense of ease that this is the right type of business for me.
It can be hard to go against the grain. When I see people with these unwieldy businesses that outwardly look impressive but inwardly look stressful and so far from what they originally set out doing, I breathe a sigh of relief. I’m glad I decided to get off the motorway and tread my own path through the wilderness!
If you’ve started a business that you hate and you don’t have passion for what you do, of course profit will be the main motivator. But as a creative, I can’t think of anything worse than not creating, not designing. I love it! I love that everyone I work with has high-quality design that I’ve poured my heart into.
So this is a little reminder that your growth might look like staying intentionally small, keeping things calm, enjoying simple moments and avoiding creating an unwieldy business that will stress you out.
🌿 Explore creating a brand and business that feels in alignment with your soul:
Customisable Brand Kits: feel proud to share your business with the world
Design Days: make intentional improvements to your designs
Rewild Your Business Mentoring: explore how to grow intentionally without burning out with my natural business mentoring/coaching
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