Have you ever found yourself at a crossroads, wondering how you ended up where you are? Looking back at the last two years, it’s hard to believe how far I’ve come. All the unexpected twists and turns and the lessons I’ve learned along the way.
Passion Over Paychecks
Five years ago, I would have laughed in your face if you had told me I would be running my own business. Yet here I am, two years into Clare H Writes, and it’s amazing to see how my business has evolved from just an idea into something that’s really growing and taking shape.
Where did it all begin for Clare H Writes? You might wonder if it was a “midlife crisis” moment, and maybe it was?! But, after two decades in banking, I realised it was time to choose love over money. Writing has always been something I loved, and I’d been pouring my heart into a personal blog for years. So one day, I thought, “Why not give this writing malarkey a proper go?” And just like that, Clare H Writes came to life.
Carrie Bradshaw Aspirations
At first, I pictured myself as the Carrie Bradshaw of Kent, penning articles for glossy magazines and writing bestselling books. But reality soon set in, and I quickly realised I had a knack for blog posts, web copy, and social media content. Maybe not as glamorous, but I genuinely enjoyed it, and as I grew, so did my business.
When Familiarity Fades
Switching careers isn’t exactly a walk in the park. I knew I could write, but turning that skill into a full-on business? That was a whole different game. I had no idea how to go about building my own client base. Suddenly, it wasn’t just about writing well; I had to learn how to market myself and network! In my old industry, it was easy because you’d always know someone who knew someone. Now? I was starting from scratch, without a single familiar face.
Not having the structure of a 9-to-5? That was… different, to put it mildly. I loved the freedom, but trying to switch off felt like an uphill battle. And, of course, imposter syndrome decided to come along for the ride, constantly popping up with little whispers of doubt just when I didn’t need them.
Finding My Flow
I usually pick things up pretty quickly, but unlearning all those old habits took way longer than I’d expected. I always thought I did my best thinking in the mornings, but it turns out my brain sometimes wakes up later in the afternoon and even sometimes in the evenings! Who knew? And forget clock-watching; now, most days, the hours just disappear before I know it.
And then there was shiny object syndrome. I’d get sidetracked by every new tool or trend that promised to “boost my productivity”. In my endless quest to learn it all, there was always something new I just had to try, which only ended up spinning me in circles. It took time to find a workflow that actually fit, but with some patience (and plenty of trial and error), I finally found my rhythm.
Key Moments That Shaped My Business
From landing my first client to narrowing down who I love to work with (hello, tradespeople!) and even setting up a workspace I actually enjoy, each milestone felt like a step in the right direction. Here are a few moments that helped me find my feet and helped me to keep going.
A Lightbulb Moment
My very first client was a small roofing company that wanted me to manage their social media and website. The more I spoke with the owner, the clearer it became that they needed a lot more help, particularly on the admin side. Having spent years in the middle of this stuff, I couldn’t resist offering my help. So, I basically took over both the admin and copywriting tasks for their business, and that went so well that I’m still doing it now!
This experience really opened my eyes to the potential impact of my work. It was a lightbulb moment for me, realising that I had so much more to offer than just my copywriting skills. There are countless businesses out there that don’t have the time or desire to deal with all the admin chaos, and I am more than happy to get stuck in.
Nailing It Down
Another eye-opening moment was when I set up a website for an electrical engineering company. It made me realise that what I’m really good at is providing the important support that happens behind the scenes. While tradespeople are out there working hard, I’m here taking care of the admin side. I mean, when you’re focused on wiring or roofing, who wants to deal with a huge stack of paperwork at the end of the day?
I started to wonder if I was trying to cast my net too wide. I was aiming to attract anyone who needed help, but that just left me talking to no one in particular. So, I decided to zero in on tradespeople. I’ve been working with them from the start, and I get what they need without having to hold their hands through every little step. It’s all about being efficient—they want someone who can just roll up their sleeves and get the job done.
Building My Business and My Confidence
This year, I gave my business and website a facelift. I introduced new services and took the time to set some business goals, and it’s amazing how much clarity that brought! Building a loyal client base and receiving positive testimonials has been incredibly rewarding, too.
My work-life balance is better than ever. I’ve created a cosy little home office with a standing desk and a comfy chair that I actually enjoy spending time in. Plus, with the flexibility to set my own hours, exercise has become a priority for me. A walking pad is next on my wish list!
Getting my first paying client felt like winning the lottery. That little email saying, “I’d like to work with you”, filled me with both excitement and fear. When that client came back for more, I knew I was doing something right. The cherry on top was receiving a glowing testimonial. I had been putting off asking for feedback, worrying they’d either ignore me or offer up a laundry list of criticisms. So when I finally got my first testimonial and read those kind words, I was genuinely shocked. It was a huge confidence boost!
Those testimonials really helped improve my self-belief. They showed me that I’m capable and experienced enough to handle whatever comes my way. I’m not afraid to roll up my sleeves and dive into the work (metaphorically, of course). Running my own business has its fair share of learning curves, but every lesson has been invaluable, both for my business and in my personal life. Each hurdle has turned into a stepping stone, and I’m excited to see what comes next on this wild adventure!
Onward and Upward
The future of Clare H Writes feels like one big, exciting project I can’t wait to get stuck into! With so many plans for the next few years, it’s clear that my little writing business has grown beyond just “writing”—I might even need to consider a name change!
As my business grows, I’m excited to keep adding services that meet the needs of my clients. I’m still offering my copywriting services, especially for those needing KYC expertise. I’m always thinking about how to expand and improve on the tools and resources I offer, especially to help small business owners feel more in control and less stressed. Whether it’s new admin support services or practical templates that make life easier, I want to keep moving in a direction that truly supports my clients.
My main focus is still on tradespeople and small business owners who don’t have hours to spare on admin and marketing. I understand the demands of running a trade-based business. My goal is to lighten the workload of my clients so they can enjoy their evenings and weekends and get that all-important work-life balance.
With every new skill and insight I pick up, I’m ready to share it with clients. Seeing my clients succeed is my biggest motivator, and I’ll be by their side at every turn. Whether they need help managing a crazy inbox or just want to hand over the day-to-day details to someone who cares about their business as much as they do.
Want to get your evenings and weekends back?
Contact Me today, and let’s take some of those tasks off your plate.
Drop me an email at info@clarehwrites.co.uk or call, text or WhatsApp 07498 986827
Find me on LinkedIn for more updates.
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