I’ve been running Aimee Willow Designs for a few years along side part time work. But the last year has been my first year going it alone. And it’s been a learning curve to get that work-life balance. I’ve learnt a lot, grown a lot, had ups and downs but smiled through it all.
What I’ve learnt: community over competition is so important. Working alone can send you crazy… ok ok I know I’m crazy already.So I am so grateful to be a part of a few stationery and business collectives via social media. We help each other in so many ways. I’ve also learnt to be strict with work hours. Yes some evenings or weekends I still find myself dipping into some work but usually because I’ve done something else in the week and I love that flexibility. It is good for clients to realise they only expect replies during working hours.
Also it’s healthy for family life and yourself. Ive built on the principle that not every client is your ideal client. And only working with those who match my ethos and really want to work with me. No time wasters.
Be you! No truer words… in a world of trends and styles to stand out you need to be you. And over time I’ve tried to be truer to myself. Looking back on early work I cringe where there’s not really been any style or bad choices, but over time you grow and learn from it all. Making mistakes are also part of the journey. If you didn’t have them you wouldn’t know where to improve.
Achievements this year…This year I won the wedding industry awards best stationer for the east. I was so overwhelmed by my clients support. It was a true honour. Bring on nationals next year. I also enjoyed exhibiting at the national wedding shows mainly at Excel. It was awesome to meet 1000’s of brides and fellow vendors.
So in a nutshell. Learn from mistakes, celebrate the highs and say ‘oh well’ to the lows. Make sure work is in its place and most of all be YOU.
A x
