I wanted to say a big Thanks for all the kind messages, Follows and Likes that I have received since announcing my new content consultancy business on LinkedIN a couple of weeks ago.
I always liked the idea of being my own boss and in Autumn of 2022, I finally bit the bullet and began setting up my new business venture ‘HART Content’. The stark reality of this move came into sharp focus this week when I received confirmation from Companies House and HMRC that I was officially registered. Now for the serious stuff!
Getting to this point has been a full-time job in itself.
There is so much you need to do to support your core business strategy such as financing, marketing, building your own company website, (launched but still working on it), as well as all the research required throughout the whole process. It is a steep yet highly rewarding learning curve.
One of the first things I had to consider was a company name. I thought about so many variations such as HART of The Matter, Contented Hart, HART 2 HART???, believe me I considered them all before arriving at the name HART Content (Ltd).
I like it as it’s a play on the word ‘content’, as a noun and as a verb, ‘to be’ content. I guess it could also be used as an adjective in some cases or even as an adjectival noun. 
OK, admittedly it does sound a bit like a dating agency, but HART Content it is!
What I’ve enjoyed most so far is having the freedom to determine my own future and setting out an organisational culture that suits my values. In my case, this means having the flexibility to work when I’m feeling at my most creative – which is important when your core service is writing engaging content for business leaders.
It also means not working when I’m not feeling at my most creative – that doesn’t necessarily mean leaving my desk to watch daytime TV, but to listen to a podcast about social media or marketing, maybe whilst going out for a brisk walk.
I try to set one day aside as a training day and am really keen to keep up with new technologies and developments that can affect my business – I once read the ‘7 Habits of Highly Effective People’ and recall Habit 7 ‘Sharpen the Saw’, when we are urged to evaluate not only the importance of learning but other considerations such as our values, exercise, and nutrition etc – ok I need to work on the last one.
I did initially set aside Monday mornings to go to the David Lloyd Club, not only for a gym session but to spend a few good hours using the spa, going for a swim, or just relaxing in the lounge with a coffee and bacon roll. Today however, (on a Monday morning) I find myself at my desk having worked on one project already now writing this article for my own LinkedIN company page.
So why the change? What happened to determining my own business culture and having a relaxed start to the week?
Well since receiving last week’s confirmation that I was now a Director of my own company, something clicked and there was a change in my mindset.
Running your own company isn’t really about going to the gym when you want, but about maximising a fantastic opportunity to develop a successful business. So here I am working away and I hasten to add, in a bit of discomfort as I’m at my desk wearing-in my ski-boots for next week’s visit to the Italian Alps. (Makes a change from pyjamas and slippers) I will of course use the alpine experience as an opportunity to consider my next article about the similarities of skiing and business. e.g., commit to your turn as you would commit to a key business decision.
And of course, ‘to always look ahead’.
Any more business metaphors, skiing or otherwise?
I’d be keen to hear them!