Work it as a freelancer
Like anything, self-employment has its ups and downs, writes Harriet Minter, but success, freedom and happiness are within your grasp if you prepare
This month marks the five-year anniversary since I took redundancy from my staff job and became self-employed. I remember my terror as I walked out of the office for the last time and the excitement when I sold my first piece days later. There is something about working for yourself, setting your own hours and being solely responsible for your success or failure that is exhilarating. I left my job just as summer was starting, and my first few months were as blissful as the weather. When winter came, an office where someone else paid for the central heating and my salary was guaranteed, not reliant on someone else’s budget, seemed enticing. January is notoriously tough for freelancers, and it was no different for me – after masses of work, I had none. I shared my fears with a female entrepreneur I knew – what if my first months were an anomaly and the reality was more like the scarcity I was experiencing? She explained that only tinsel manufacturers make money over Christmas. Things would get better, she assured me, and they did. Many of us have used the past year to reassess our lives and find a way of working that makes us happy. Whether through choice or circumstance, the number of freelancers is rising and, if you’re just starting out, it is scary. I’ve been lucky to meet many great women making money their own way and I’ve had the opportunity to learn key lessons about what it takes. Here are the top things you need to know about working for yourself: First, you have to really love what you do. You can’t feel half-hearted about it because, at some point, you’re going to have a miserable day, week and possibly month. When that happens, you need to be able to remember why you wanted this life in the first place. Don’t quit your job for something you think might be a bit more interesting, quit it for something you can’t stop thinking about.
Wind in your sails
Second, setting up a business is tough, so have money saved and time to focus. That said, I know women who gave birth to their businesses at the same time as their babies or created incredible products while broke, moving countries or getting divorced. In an ideal world, every entrepreneur has their ducks in a row before they launch their business but, in the real world, you may have to trust your gut. Rather than waiting until all is perfect, go for the moment when it feels as if momentum is with you. Then pay attention to point three. Look after yourself. There is no sick pay when you are self-employed. You can’t do a bad day’s work and blame it on your boss. You are the backbone of your business and you need to prioritise your health and wellbeing. Rest regularly and find a tribe to support you and lift you up when things get hard. Finally, enjoy it. Freedom is yours and, if you can make it work, there is nothing better.