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I started my first business when I was 18.
I had stubbornly refused to stay on at school in the pursuit of becoming a beauty therapist. I knew that I couldn’t be a ‘cog in a wheel’ and I’ve always had trouble ‘doing as I’m told’ so, with my parent’s support, I decided to work for myself. While I enjoyed it, I quickly realised that I preferred marketing and writing about the business than doing facials and pedicures.
So, I decided to go to university and get a degree in PR and marketing. I ran the student magazine, worked for the local newspaper, and got involved with a million different projects; it gave me a real taste of working independently.
The environment and climate change have always been important to me.
I was quite militant as a student and proudly led ‘Meat is Murder’ and 'Save The Ozone Layer' campaigns, and worried incessantly about the future of our planet. Not much has changed!
About 10 years after I graduated, I jumped at the chance to work for ClimateNE – an independent partnership tackling climate change from national strategic and policy-led work to delivering projects with communities across North East England.
Again, working autonomously was a big part of the job and I met loads of like-minded people and went on to work with hundreds of businesses and run networking events and shows for the green economy. I also set up a joint business providing PR and writing services.
When ClimateNE was ‘mothballed’ following political and funding changes, long-term colleague Sharon Lashley to restart activities invited me to join as a Director for Climate Action North.
At around the same time, I also decided to go freelance and offer my PR and writing consultancy services independently.
It’s the perfect combination.
No two days are the same and I get to work with some wonderfully diverse and interesting people. One day I can be writing for 10 hours straight about anything from climate change and the environment to Brexit or technology, and the next day will bring planting flowers or interviewing students who are striking for climate change.
It’s great because I get to write and support my clients while also working to make a real difference in our world.
My biggest challenges are around the financial aspects of running a business.
But I’ve drafted in support to make it easier. I think the key is to shout out and ask for help, rather than suffer in silence.
I think my biggest learning curve to date is that while sharing ideas is incredibly important and can contribute to solving issues, always ensure you get acknowledgement. It was lovely just the other day when a guy I was speaking with turned around and said: “that was your idea; thank you.”
I can’t imagine working for anyone else now.
Collaborating with others yes but working for them, no!
Doing what I want, when I want and where I want, while ensuring my personal AND professional lives are fulfilled is just wonderful.
Yes, it sure has its stressful moments, especially when cashflow goes awry, but I wouldn’t change a thing.
I’m thrilled to be part of Sustainability Entrepreneur and can’t wait to support the community through advice on writing, social media, PR, newsletters and more.
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