81. Career Advice For My 2017 Self
What I did right, and what I would change about growing my business & career
Last week, I participated in a virtual career mentorship event for students in grades 8-12 through my local Junior Achievement chapter.
I joined 12 other volunteers to share our career journeys, what our work days look like, what we wanted to do for work when we were in high school, and more.
It was kind of a cool exercise to think about how we all got to where we are today, how different our career paths look to what we had imagined at age 15, and the advice we would give our younger selves.
When I was preparing my notes for the event, and thinking about how to share the highs and lows of owning your own freelance business with these students, I was brought down memory lane…
My First Official Business Event In 2017
I’ve had side hustles and creative jobs since forever. But back in 2017 I had an opportunity to showcase my photography work at my first-ever business event and I was SO excited.
I got prints done of my best photos and designed my first business cards. I think I gave maybe 4 cards out at the event and spoke to a handful of lovely folks, but I felt so proud to be putting myself out there.
I thought a lot about this 2017 version of myself as I was writing notes for the career mentorship event. What would have been helpful for me to know back then to help grow my career? What did I do right? What could I have done differently?
What I Did Right Back In 2017
Put Myself Out There Over and Over
Without a doubt, one of the things I’m most grateful for in my career and business growth over the years is that I put myself out there again and again.
I attended events, reached out to people for coffee, put my name out for opportunities, and told people what I was doing. It was hard, especially in the early days, but it has paid off in spades.
Tried a Lot of Different Things
I’m really happy I know how to do a lot of stuff. Email marketing? Learned it. Social media and content? Web design? SEO copywriting? Bookkeeping? Figured it out.
Instead of focusing in on one thing, I now have a set of skills that ranges from calendar management to photography to web design on a bunch of platforms — all of which have given me options in my career and business growth.
Was Honest About What I Wanted
I’ve seen a lot of people chase specific goals in their business or career because they feel they ‘should’ have those dreams, not because it’s what they really want.
I have always tried to be honest with myself about what I actually want — a business that allows a flexible schedule and lifestyle — even when it felt like I ‘should’ want to lead a big team or become a CMO. Being honest will always make you happier in your decisions and efforts.
What I Could Have Done Differently
Documented More of my Business Journey
I value all of the notes, journals, old blog posts, and photos from my business and career journey SO much. It’s such a good reminder to document as much as possible, because you will value it even more so as you grow and evolve.
Learned Even More Tools & Techniques
There are several tools I really wish I had spent time learning in my early days when I had more time to explore and expand my skills. As well as many free or affordable online courses I wish I had taken. It’s worth trying EVERYTHING! And learning constantly, especially in the earlier stages of business and career development.
Said No to Certain Clients/Projects/Opportunities
This, unfortunately, seems like a lesson we all need to go through to learn for both career and business growth! But I definitely could have trusted my gut more on the opportunities that didn’t feel right or I KNEW were not the right fit. Listen to that little voice (or the glaring red flags) and trust that the right opportunities will come.
Advice I Would Give Myself (Both Today & In 2017)
Your Work is Not Your Entire Identity
The advice I gave those students is what I wish I had internalized more back in 2017 (and even these days!)… Your work does not have to be the thing you’re MOST passionate about in the world. It doesn’t define you the way it feels like it does sometimes.
Sometimes a job FUELS the areas of your life that matter the most at that time — like family or travel or hobbies or giving back. There are so many areas of your life that can bring you purpose and joy, not just your job.
Create the Community You Want To Be Apart Of
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that community doesn’t just ‘appear’ and in fact it often takes a lot of intentional work on your part! Want to chat with people in your industry or city? Put together an event! Want to have coworkers because you’re sick of working alone in your house? Invite people to a coworking day at your place.
And more than anything, appreciate when you have incredible people in your corner. My heart overflows when I think about some of my biggest supporters, referral partners, and dear friends in business. It truly is one of the best parts of career and business growth.
Offer Advice and Support Whenever Possible
Whenever someone asks to pick my brain over coffee, or a friend wants to understand freelancing or personal branding a bit better, or a young creative has questions… Do it!
I have enjoyed helping others in their own business and career journeys so much. This whole idea of being ‘too busy’ to answer a question or point someone in the right direction is silly. There’s nothing more rewarding than helping others — and what goes around comes around.
Anyways…
Those are some of my reflections on growing my career and business over the past 10 years. It was such a cool process to contemplate on the highs and lows, and I love to think of all the lessons I will learn every year moving forward.
Hit reply with your greatest lessons or realizations from YOUR journey!
🤠 What’s Cool…
There have been so many branding refreshes that feel pretty silly (the Walmart Logo situation comes to mind) so I love seeing genuinely cool brand upgrades for companies that have stood the test of time.
It’s so neat to see how designers can create really amazing designs that honour the original, trusted branding but also give new life and a modern flair. This video shows how Vincent did this for Marotta and it is such a great watch!
📚 Currently Reading…
I finished Fair Play by Louise Hegarty and although it wasn’t my favorite, I did enjoy the breaking of the fourth wall in this emotional, unique whodunit novel.
This book is part traditional, Agatha Christie closed door mystery, part emotional family drama. A quirky, wonderfully odd reading experience that stretched the capacity of the genre.
I didn’t love the ending, but as a frequent reader of the whodunit novel, I did appreciate the author’s attempt to do something unique and address the real effects of death and grieving in these books.
🍊 Working On…
Here’s what’s going on at Belle White Creative HQ this week…
Not much… Spending time with family and catching up with friends is top of my list this week as I enjoy my first week off work of the year! Looking forward to coming back refreshed and hopefully nice and rested.
Staying sun safe: It’s going to be HOT this week so I’ll be using SPF moisturizer everyday. This one has been my favorite for years! Super light but actually works well and isn’t oily or anything.
Hopefully reading lots: I’ve got a bunch of good books on my list right now! Hoping to get into The Other Boleyn Girl, By The Time You Read This, and the last book in the Wayward Pines series.
Thank you so much for being here and chat next Wednesday,
xo — Belle