Comments on: Self-employment advice for designers

By: David Bone

David Bone — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 20:22:32 +0000

Lots of great advice and useful tips there! Thanks for being so generous with your advice, and of course congratulations on your fifth anniversary! That is the magic number in surviving starting a business.

By: Tin

Tin — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 08:30:15 +0000

Number 12 seems very familiar, I have seen it somewhere (in a book) It makes the best impression to me. I try to be happy with everyone, everyone just remembers me. It ‘s like karma ! Thanks David for great advices.

By: David Airey

David Airey — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 22:21:46 +0000

Rob, Namita, Bryan, you’re all very welcome. Happy to publish content of interest. Thanks for dropping by.

By: Bryan D Hall

Bryan D Hall — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 18:21:04 +0000

David,

#15 is really #1 for me. Everything seems like it should follow naturally.

I’ve been the owner of a small film/design/creative firm for about 6 years.

Whenever I get bogged down by all the demands of running a business or suffer from people fatigue I sort of dream about going out on my own (in reverse) as just a solo, freelance, creative, consultant working on one client at a time…alone at home where my wife and kids can be near.

Today I woke and just knew that it was time.

Perhaps I feared this day because of some imaginary security or sense of importance that comes with being “the boss.” Or maybe I’ve just been afraid to be the only one to blame if I fail.

But no more.

This article gave me great peace. Thank you.

Bryan

By: Namita Tiwari

Namita Tiwari — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 12:40:08 +0000

Hi David,
I just stumbled upon your website by chance… and wow… what an eye opener. Your blog is a great motivational tool for all who decide to start out on their own… not just designers. These are regular roadblocks that we all come across… we have similar thoughts… but fail to comprehend… forget about expressing them so very clearly …and beautifully. Kudos!
Am myself a designer… based in Delhi… and have a tough time extracting my dues from clients… its difficult surviving if one is not a great self pusher…
I loved the Picasso piece… “It took me all my life” … and now with renewed hope and and self belief, i can say… the only thing that has been stopping me so far…has been me …and only me…if we push ourselves…we dont know where all we can go …what all we can achieve.
Your blog reads a lil like Notes To Myself…hugh prather.
Hope youy keep writing many such notes…and keep us inspired.

By: Rob

Rob — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 11:34:04 +0000

Thanks David, this is some really useful advice. I started my own practice a few months ago, and I wish i’d read the section on how to spot problem clients! It is unfortunately inevitable you will have to work with clients you don’t like.

By: Shanna Cramer

Shanna Cramer — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 13:52:40 +0000

Along the lines of “don’t go it alone” is hire a bookkeeper. As soon as you can. Your bookkeeper or accountant can be your best friend in business.

By: David Airey

David Airey — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 08:12:01 +0000

Good of you both to say, Sid, Kevin. Thanks guys.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 22:43:32 +0000

Another very informative post. Thanks so much David. Your site has been hugely beneficial to me.

By: Sedick Sasman

Sedick Sasman — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 21:43:20 +0000

I just found your blog through blog catalog, and I must say it’s awesome. I started out on my own recently (7 months) and this post was a great help.
Congratulations on your 5 years!