Iron is apparently the modern gift for a 6-year wedding anniversary. Symbolizing strength and confidence in the relationship, so it seemed fitting to steal it. Technically, I’ve not been an employee for 7 years but the first year was a trial before I set up my business. Seven years was my longest tenure as an employee.
The last blog I wrote was a longer retrospective looking back over my 25 years in the industry. If you’re interested, you can find that here. Before penning a new one, I always also review what I wrote about my previous business birthday.
This exercise is valuable now, especially as my memory sometimes lets me down. In years to come I’ll likely treasure this documentation. When I published last year’s Kiptum* was still alive and I was not a marathoner.
*Kelvin Kiptum died age 24. He is the men’s marathon record holder with a time of 2:00:35. He was tipped to break sub-2 at the London Marathon. I mentioned Kipchoge, another hero, in last year’s piece because at 40, he is closer to my age. My (somewhat slower) marathon story is coming up.
I worked with the same number of clients as last year (3) and in the same ratio of two returning and one new. My turnover was basically the same, but underneath the surface there were big changes marking an important shift in my business.
I increased my rates. Partly because some of my costs have risen. I have known from the start that I can command a higher rate than I charged. I may not work at that ceiling for various reasons, but it’s progress.
My mindset used to be that I don’t need to charge what I am worth to bring in enough for a comfortable life now and later. We have no mortgage or kids and live in a cheaper region. For a few years that worked well.
I was never out of work (funny that!), but over time it was tricky to fit that work around other life goals rising in importance. If I put up my rates, I could make the same but work less of the year. Simple as that.
In “employee” terms, two years ago I was working 75% FTE in a year, versus 65% in the year I’ve just closed. Of course, much more flexibly than an employee. Sometimes taking off months at a time when it suited.
I’m looking forward to comparing next year because I’m trying different work patterns (part time) and different types of work too. If you’re looking for someone with my skills, I’m currently booking for May 2025 onwards :)
When I wrapped 5 years in business, I had been volunteering with Bookmark for just a few months. I’ve now done over 60 online reading sessions with 5 children who needed a reading helper for a variety of reasons. My current student is a very reluctant reader with a mischievous streak. Fun times indeed!
In December 2023 I embarked on my biggest challenge yet and started training for Brighton Marathon, raising money for Mind. Mission accomplished and I write more about my experience here. My running is journaled on Instagram @jo_runs_slow.
Since then, I’ve cracked out a new half marathon PB and started a strength program to combat the overpronation identified in a gait analysis by my sports therapist. I have two races in 2025 to get match fit for (Manchester Marathon and Great North Run.)
Although I did not start running to lose weight, I have dropped 16kg (2.5 stone), which improved many other health metrics. I’m in great physical shape to deal with the menopause as its impacts ramp up relentlessly.
A rosy picture, but against a backdrop of failing parental health on both sides. Further afield, several family members have passed away in the last year, one unexpectedly soon. And a fellow runner only last week, at 47.
I'm grateful that I’ve been able to establish a business to generate the income I need to do what I want before its too late. More importantly it gives me the flexibility to adapt to situations as they unfold.
None of the above was written with the assistance of AI. Never will be…
© Jo Gordon Consulting Ltd 2024