Dearest reader,
You would agree with me that starting is the hardest and the beginning is when you make most mistakes that go ahead to form lessons that guide your business. One of such for me is learning to create boundaries and carry out background checks to ensure I am not unknowingly working as a 3rd party.
Anyone who knows me would know that I am quite thorough, or at least, I try to be. I do not like tardiness in all its forms and try not to have it associated with me in any way. This is why I read anything before using it, whether it is a new device, prescribed medication, or the expiry date on my soda.
Starting Brand Patron was a huge leap. I had people who were supporting me, but I was as nervous as a hooker in a church. I was unsure how things were going to go. I was both excited and scared. There were goosebumps. There was a lump in my throat and a knot in my belly. In the weeks leading to my official launch, even though I tried to keep it together, I was a nervous wreck.
I had spent years reading and preparing for the final launch. I have prepared myself for the business world with other businesses that I have been into and the books I have read on businesses. I have read about the pitfalls of once successful businesses and made notes on how to go around issues that might arise in the future.
I had gone through a number of training sessions that would qualify me to do what I was to do. I scoured the net, looking for tips, looking for ideas, looking for just anything. So, despite my nervousness, I was pumped. I was ready. I was sure I could do this.
Then I launched and I got my first job. My very first job!
With all my preparation, one would think my lessons will come a little down the line. Naaahhhh! It came immediately. I have since made a mental note that one cannot be too prepared for anything, hence there should always be accommodation to learn as you go. As with driving, one is never too prepared. Yes, you are warned to watch out for the recklessness of other drivers, but after the instructor is gone, one must begin to relearn on their own.
My first ever job was laborious. Things were tedious. I could not just understand why corrections were going the way they were. Consultations will be done. Meetings will be had. Agreements will be reached on the ways we are supposed to go. In the middle of implementing agreed-upon ideas, everything will be reversed. New meetings will be held, new ideas will be brought. Everything thought up will be crippled.
This kept going on, till I found out that I was not working with the direct employer. I was working as a third party.
All the while, I thought I was speaking directly to the owner of the job. Little did I know that it was only a middleman who outsourced the job to me. When we had meetings and agreed, they would have separate meetings with the direct employer, and then get back to me without my knowledge.
Was this wrong in itself? Of course not. Have I worked as a third party since then? Yes, I have.
The only issue was that I had not known to ask the correct questions, so I just rambled about, doing the work, nodding, and saying “yes ma” or “yes sir” to whatever the client brought.
This lesson was huge for me moving forward. I now know to ask the right questions. For instance, I used to be the sweet little doll, fitting only into the client’s timing, not looking into what works for me. I will wait for my clients to finish their regular 9-5 jobs, consider that they will be tired, let them get their sweet rest, and ring me up at the most inordinate times to come to discuss their job.
While I am still very understanding, I have since known to set boundaries, to ensure that timing and schedules are stipulated in the contract. I ensure I know who I am working with now. Are you the owner of this job? Can you make final decisions for this project? Should I speak with you or there is “one mightier” who must have a say in every aspect of the project, or shall we say “whose shoes you are able to unstrap”?
So dearest reader, as a freelancer, ensure at every point in time, you know exactly what you’re getting into so you can ask the right questions.
Bye for now,
Alexis.
