May & June 2020 Business Roundup
Well hello there and welcome to the third instalment of my Business Roundups. This month is actually two months in one. As you’ll find out, I’ve been working on launching a big project out into the world in May and June. I wanted to dedicate some proper time to writing this roundup so I decided to merge the two months whilst I focused on my big project.
Life Update
Lockdown eases
April felt much like March. Daily walks to get a dose of exercise, lots of Zoom/FaceTime calls and an absurd amount of snacking. Anyone else can’t stop eating at the moment?!
I’ve been taking a lot more time to relax (one of my big focus goals for April ✅) which has meant making the most of my Netflix and Disney+ subscriptions. My current favourite is Money Heist. I’m a few episodes into the first series and loving it! What should I add to my list next?
Kat’s Group Coaching
After signing up to Kat’s 12 Week Group Coaching programme at the start of lockdown, I felt like I was able to keep my head above the water. I know how fragile my mental health can be and the pandemic was a serious threat to it. I knew I needed to invest in looking after number one first. I loved the group coaching dynamic so much that I’ve signed up for Kat’s new Put Yourself First Sisterhood. It’s a membership which will help me to keep pushing myself both personally and professionally - all whilst surrounded by the most lovely group of ladies.
Business Update
The Shop
Only gone and ticked it off, haven’t I?! I first came up with the idea of launching a template shop about a day or two after I started freelancing a few years back. I’m not even joking. I knew it was something that could benefit so many people and a way of helping those who perhaps aren’t ready to invest in something 1:1.
Well, as the freelancing moved into a business and the schedule began to get booked out, the more fear and overwhelm began to build up. It only took a worldwide pandemic to shake my out of it and push past my insecurities. I knew now more than ever was where I could really make an impact with those who are looking to step their side hustles up or set up their own business.
I worked really hard to make sure these weren’t just templates. I’ve recorded videos and created workbooks to go alongside them, sourcing the best platforms to host everything on - and of course creating beautifully functional designs for Squarespace Websites, Social Media and MailChimp. They are a labour of my love.
I launched at the end of June and had the best week. A busy week but an amazing one. Firstly I was blown away by the love and support from my followers and friends. Then on top of that my templates were snatched up by business owners who were so excited to level up their design. We had everything from Virtual Assistants to Photographers, Social Media Managers to Beauty Therapists. I’ve seen some sneak peeks at some of the websites that they’ve been working on and - oh my - my heart feels SO full.
Client Projects
I’ve continued to work with a variety of beautiful small businesses and charities over the past couple of months. As always, it’s been SUCH A JOY to help bring their vision to life. I might have launched the shop but I’m most definitely keeping 1:1 projects open.
Self Belief Sessions
I’ve long admired NLP Practitioner Sophie French and her incredible magic. She is an incredibly wise and calming person to follow on social media so I’d highly recommend it if you haven’t already.
She recently teamed up with another absolute boss, Elizabeth Stiles. Together they created a Self Belief group coaching programme. Its 4 weeks of weekly calls, homework tasks and a Facebook group full of incredible business owners and lovely ladies. After a couple of sessions, there has been breakthroughs, tears and a whole host of magic. I believe they are running the sessions again later this year so do check out their waitlist if you haven’t already.
Quote of the month
“We can do anything. But not everything.”
— Wise Words
Blogs created
Books I’ve Read
As the launch has been a big focus of mine across the last couple of months, I’ve not been reading any business or mindset books. Instead, I’ve been enjoying sitting out in the sun (when we had some, it’s been raining for a week now), or curling up on the sofa in the evening to enjoy a good book.
Two of my favourites have been:
Circe by Madeline Miller - A story set in the world of Greek Gods and based around Circe who discovers her powers of witchcraft. Definitely been a lovely escape to switch my mind off at the end of the day. I absolutely loved it!
The Five by Hallie Rubenhold - Hallie tells the story of the lives of the five women killed by Jack the Ripper. I studied history at university and I was always fascinated my micro history, the daily lives of ordinary individuals.
Last Months Goals
Continue my yoga session every day (ish) into May.
Okay so this one hasn’t been a roaring success. I hurt my neck midway through May. Luckily the wonkiness lasted only a couple of days but I still felt like I was pushing it to do yoga or other exercise. So I was taking it nice and easy - and then kept taking it nice and easy after I got better. Oops.
Finalise products and relaunch my shop.
Check, check and check. It was a lot more work than I first thought (it always is, isn’t it). But boy am I happy to have them out in the world. If you’re not sure what I’m on about, take a peek here:
Goals for next Month
I’m taking a week off in July. And now I’ve written it, it has to happen, right? I’ve been working non stop since the start of the year. Time I had planned off was swept aside when coronavirus came charging into our lives and I wanted to put my efforts in helping people with their online presence. As we come out of lockdown here in the UK, I’m going to take some time over my birthday 🎉 away from the business.
Rethink my funnels. I’ve been plodding along happily with 1:1 services for a while now. But now I’ve added some products into the mix. I need to look back at my systems and processes to make sure I’m catering for my two slightly different audiences: those who are looking for a fully custom site and those that are looking for some help DIYing. An audit of everything first Then I’ll look to making some changes in August to get everything running smoothly behind the scenes.
How have you been these past couple of months?
