This month I celebrate 10 years of Claire Best Marketing. 🍾🍾

A lot has happened both personally and in the business over the last decade, but as I write this, with 60% of businesses failing within the first five years, I am proud to be celebrating CBMs 10th birthday.

I’ve been approached by some fledging businesses recently to ask my advice on starting up, so I’ve been reflecting on what I wish I’d known, or someone had told me 10 years ago. Here’s my top 10 thoughts:

GET COMFORTABLE WEARING ALL THE HATS. At the start, you’re finance, marketing, sales, operations and more, but once you’re established, you can outsource and focus on what you do best.

DELEGATE AND OUTSOURCE WHAT DRAINS YOU. Outsourcing the right tasks can be a game changer for your time, sanity, and growth. Think about freeing up your time and energy for the work only you can do.

BEING YOUR OWN BOSS ISN’T ALL ABOUT FLEXIBILITY AND FREEDOM. It can be long hours and lonely days. It takes grit, resilience, and a genuine love for what you do to keep going.

SURROUND YOURSELF WITH YOUR TRIBE. People who support you, you enjoy working with, challenge you and help you grow as a business owner.

IT’S OK TO TURN AWAY CLIENTS. In the beginning we go after any low hanging fruit. It takes time and courage to say no, but this creates space for the work that really aligns with you.

MINDSET IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOU THINK. Having a strategy is important, well I would say that! But mindset is what gets you through the lows and helps you reach the highs.

NUTURE YOUR NETWORK. It’s not just your next client that could come from someone you know or who they know, I’ve built up great relationships with collaborators too.

MARKETING IS JUST AS IMPORTANT WHEN YOU’RE BUSY. It’s tempting to pause it when the business is rolling in, but don’t forget today’s efforts fuel tomorrow’s pipeline.

GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK When you're running solo, the praise has to come from you. You’ve got to be the one that notices the wins, big or small.

REMEMBER WHY YOU DID IT Whether that’s to make more money, spend more time with your family, always remember why you set up by yourself and work towards achieving this.