Archive for June, 2008
Freelancer or Business Owner?
I had a great question in my inbox recently from someone who bought my book, reads the LI blog and would like to set themselves up in business…here’s the full question:
“I’m a designer primarily, my passion is really web design and development. What I’m wondering is if, early on, it makes more sense to incorporate [...]
I had a great question in my inbox recently from someone who bought my book, reads the LI blog and would like to set themselves up in business…here’s the full question:
“I’m a designer primarily, my passion is really web design and development. What I’m wondering is if, early on, it makes more sense to incorporate as a business or to brand my name? Should I be freelance or should I be a small business?
I like the entrepreneur aspect that both freelance and business offers. I see the two of you and Project Woodward and Collis Ta’eed with Eden and all his various side projects. Then on the other hand, I see someone like Ian MacKenzie who operates under his own name but also has many side projects. And this ability to have side projects is really appealing to me.
So, I’m sure both are completely viable options for a wannabe location independent professional, but does incorporating as a business offer more benefits? Are people more likely to take you seriously as a business?”
As a business strategist, mentor and also a former freelancer-turned-business owner, here is how I’d respond if you were one of my clients…(it’s quite a long post but I think it’s important to work it out thoroughly given that it’s such an important thing to get right from the start).
The Perils Of Having Multiple Websites & Blogs
At the last count here at Project Woodward HQ we were the proud owners of 5 active blogs and 10 live websites (almost, we’re about to launch 3 of them).
For me, being a blog & website junkie that’s nothing new and actually not that many but there is one major difference these days…but before I [...]
At the last count here at Project Woodward HQ we were the proud owners of 5 active blogs and 10 live websites (almost, we’re about to launch 3 of them).
For me, being a blog & website junkie that’s nothing new and actually not that many but there is one major difference these days…but before I tell you how we do it now, let me tell you how I did it then (and why it was doomed to failure)…
Jealousy & Why It’s Not All That Bad
Most people will tell you that jealousy is an ugly emotion. They prefer to say that they’re “envious” rather than jealous because it sounds nicer (I know, because that’s what I do too!).
But honestly, sometimes when you sit down and look at what others have going on in their world and then you look at [...]
Most people will tell you that jealousy is an ugly emotion. They prefer to say that they’re “envious” rather than jealous because it sounds nicer (I know, because that’s what I do too!).
But honestly, sometimes when you sit down and look at what others have going on in their world and then you look at yours, it is hard not to be jealous.
I know that probably sounds rich coming from a girl who gallivants around the world living wherever she pleases, but I’m plenty jealous too….
- Of people who have thousands more blog subscribers than I do.
- Of people who own a penthouse in the V&A Marina Waterfront in Cape Town.
- Of people who can travel on a plane and look fabulous at the end of 10 hour flight.
- Of people who own an apartment at the Royal Phuket Marina in Thailand
- Of women who are taller than me (although I don’t really mind being 5ft 1.5in but given a choice…)
The thing is, for me, being jealous only serves to drive me on to achieve what I want to achieve so that I don’t have to be jealous anymore (except perhaps the height thing – and maybe the looking good after a long flight, I really don’t care that much but it would be nice) rather than depress the hell out of me because I’m not there yet.
Being jealous doesn’t have to be a negative, ugly emotion – it just depends on which way you look at it and how you choose to respond.
