My 2022 Business Highlights
As we come to the end of another year - and my third year in business - I wanted to look back and reflect on the highlights. In doing so, there were so many things I did this year that were brilliant for my business, so where better to share them than a long overdue blog post!
Read on for a selection of my favourite projects, the aforementioned ‘best for business’ bits and some personal highlights to boot.
Here we go!
January [skate & retreat]
Best work thing:
Working with a couple of old work pals on an animated explainer video. It was great to be part of a team again and to put my motion graphic skills to good use. Can't share it because NDA!! But it was lots of fun.
Best for my business thing:
Taking a day out in the Peak District to work on my business at the brilliant Wilderness Tonic Retreat, run by Karen Webber and Katya Willems.
Best fun thing:
I started roller skating! I can now skate backwards and do other fun things that I never thought I’d be able to do. Am not amazing, but I ain’t done yet…
February [NEOTW & rebrands]
Best work thing:
Rebrand for the Institute of Interim Management, taking it from male, pale and stale to a bright and modern visual identity that better represents their inclusive community. If only it was live (long story) but I enjoyed my part in the project.
Best for my business thing:
Winning the Being Freelance ‘Non-Employee of the Week’ award. Genuinely an absolute highlight of my year. Who doesn’t love a pat on the back and some biscuits?!
Best fun thing:
Surprise 40th for one of my besties. The rest of Feb was full of covid. Bleurgh!
March [networking without the ick]
Best work thing:
Brochure designs for Ayrshire College to support their Student Carers. I love working with Ayrshire College and provide ongoing support on an adhoc basis.
Best for my business thing:
Networking with Found & Flourish, which also doubled up as my first cold water swim (sans wetsuit).
Best fun thing:
Took myself on an artist date to Liverpool, where I spent a happy hour exploring the Tate. This was after reading Keep Going by Austin Kleon for the Being Freelance Book Club (which I also love and could easily take the ‘Best for my Business’ spot!)
April [panic mode]
Best work thing: I had a quiet month in April on the client front. It was a bit scary as March was fairly quiet too. Oh how the panic set in…
Best for my business thing:
My monthly Photo Club visit, which is always a joy. What started as a sign up to get professional photos for my website led to being part of a community that fills me with sunshine. Have made so many friends here. It could be my ‘best for business’ of the year.
Best fun thing:
Eating all the Easter eggs. Oops!
May [cake & the sea]
Best work thing:
Working with Cause Communications on their new website - see the project.
Best for my business thing:
Instacake. This was an event run by my friend Katya Willems at the amazing Victoria Baths in Manchester. We had cake, coffee and chats about business and Instagram, then made some fun reels. Here’s my spooky reel!
Best fun thing:
Childfree weekend in Anglesey with one of my besties to celebrate us both turning 40. Gorgeous weather, food and relaxation by the sea. Perfection!
June [birthdays & co-working]
Best work thing:
This year I launched a new VIP Design Day service and in May I had my first VIP - Career Coach, Jaz Broughton, who needed some slide decks sprucing up.
Best for my business thing:
Freelancer Magazine Virtual Co-working! Taking place every Wednesday from 9:30 - 11am, I highly recommend (need to get myself to more in 2023). There’s even a quiz!
Best fun thing:
2 weeks in Cornwall for my 40th, followed by a surprise party the day after we got back thanks to my very sneaky but wonderful husband.
July [It can’t get Eddie Vedder than this]
Best work thing:
Rebrand for The Hormone Clinic - see the project.
Best for my business thing:
Taking some time to work on my marketing with Karen Webber’s Gentle Marketing Reset.
Best fun thing:
Weekend in London to see Pearl Jam play Hyde Park - it was my fifth time seeing them play.
August [busy busy]
Best work thing:
Designing the visuals for a new podcast, which I hope I can share soon.
Best for my business thing:
Sadly I did not have the time to do anything other than client work. It was non-stop with little work-life balance.
Best fun thing:
2 night break in a shepherd’s hut in Yorkshire. Much needed. Even got to spend a day by the sea.
September [time to rest]
Best work thing:
Month off client work
Best for my business thing:
Month off client work
Best fun thing:
Month off client work
October [back to it]
Best work thing:
Rebrand for the lovely Anja Poehlmann, a documentary family photographer and filmmaker based in Brighton. Another one I can’t wait to share in the new year!
Best for my business thing:
Big party to celebrate one year of Photo Club!
Best fun thing:
Seeing another favourite band, Incubus, with my friends.
November [accountability]
Best work thing:
Working on an inclusive guide to parental leave with Jo Lawrence, Parental Leave Career Transition Coach.
Best for my business thing:
Rut to Riot - a week-long challenge designed to help small business owners reclaim their marketing mojo (another goodie from Goodness Marketing). I came away from this one with an accountability buddy, who is really helping me stay motivated.
Best fun thing:
My brother-in-law’s wedding on bonfire night, for which I also did the stationery!
December [fa la la la la la la la la]
Best work thing:
Social media templates and website tweaks for The Hormone Clinic. It’s been fun to be working in Wordpress again!
Best for my business thing:
A very festive Freshwalks around Lyme Park.
Best fun thing:
No doubt it will be Christmas but as we’re not there just yet, it has to be Harry Potter’s Forbidden Forest - so much fun!
