I’ve officially launched my website design + copywriting business. It’s out there for all the world to see.

So… now what?

As I figure out this little thing called business ownership, I’ll be documenting my progress (or lack thereof 😅) along the way. I invite you to sign up for my email updates as I share my highs, my lows, and my favorite tip, trick, and tool of the month.

Whether you’re…

• Starting a business yourself
• Trying to grow one
• Simply interested in the same things as me (like writing + web design)

…My hope is that these monthly updates educate you, inspire you, or just encourage you (and myself!) that we’re not alone, either in business or in life.

Let’s do this — together. 🤍

January Highs 😀

I launched a business.

Is that enough of a high for you people?! 😜 Truly, I’ve been so blessed by all the support I’ve already received. Thank you, dear reader, for being a huge part of that! 

Learn more about my decision to quit my job to start a business during a pandemic (and why, yes, it’s actually a “high”) in my blog post.

I started working part-time as a copywriter at Till Agency.

My adorable childhood pic has yet to appear on the About page, but rest assured, I’m a real part of the team now. I’ve already gotten to work on + even help coordinate several fun social campaigns for photographers, educators, and creative businesses.

It’s been so inspiring to work with these new clients and coworkers whose values + aesthetic complement my own!

I participated in the Downtown Sioux Falls Burger Battle.

If you follow me on Insta, you’ve surely seen (and rolled your eyes at) my IG Stories featuring my infamous burger reviews.

With the help of my husband, siblings, and select friends, I was able to consume (at least a part of) not one, but 24 burgers in January. 🍔 #DietStartsTomorrow

January Lows 😞

I’m learning the sales process.

As an introvert, I don’t love “putting myself out there.” But that’s what you’ve gotta do to make sales, right?

As I explore emailing, cold calling, posting on social, and other sales tactics — ugh, I even hate that phrase — I’m trying to find that fine line between rightfully assertive and just plain annoying. (Do let me know if I’ve crossed it, will you?) 🙏

I’m still figuring out my working schedule.

I’ll cut myself some slack on this one, since I’ve been managing my own workload for only a month now, but I’m still smoothing out the kinks.

How much time do I give Till? What’s a reasonable percentage of my day to devote to my own sales + marketing? When do I actually “call it quits” for the day (considering the work never really ends)?

I love my newfound autonomy, but striking the perfect balance will take some time.

I’m being too perfectionistic.

The “Wing 3” to my Enneagram 4 has been flaring up in full force this month! I’ve spent far too long tweaking elements on my website, researching email service providers, finicking with this + that… when really, I need to just take action. 👊

I have to keep reminding myself that “done is better than perfect.” Can you relate?

Tip / Trick / Tool of the Month 💡

Tip: Lists are a new-business-owner’s best friend.

Lists are a new-business-owner’s best friend. Isn’t that the saying?

To keep my work on track, I’ve been using a combination of:

• Asana (for digital brain-dumping)
• My PowerSheets Goal Planner (for monthly / weekly action items + daily habit tracking)
• My Rifle Paper Co notepad (for end-of-day planning)

Trick: Emoji Keyboard Shortcut

I didn’t realize how much I use the emoji keyboard shortcut (Control + Command + Space on Mac) until it stopped working in my Google Docs the other day.

I still don’t know why it won’t — it works everywhere else! — but I thought I’d pass along the shortcut for anyone who might not know it. You’re welcome. (Or, depending on your feelings toward emojis…sorry.) 🦩 🥸 🌵 👻 🍾

Sub-trick: I learned that, on Mac, you can also set your Fn key to pull up the emoji keyboard super fast. Just go to System Preferences > Keyboard to set it up.

Tool: Showit

Showit is the builder I used to design my new website. Now that I’m (mostly) used to it… it’s awesome.

Totally drag-and-drop, Showit is the most flexible website builder I’ve used to date. I’m excited to start designing websites on Showit for clients who are, shall we say, more “creatively minded”!

---

Well, that’s it for my very first monthly update.

How’d I do? 😉 (Maybe don’t answer that…)

Truly, I’d love to hear your thoughts, whether on business, writing, web design, or whatever. What are you curious about? What would you like to see from these updates going forward?

Let me know — and sign up for email updates so you never miss out!

Until next time! 😘

Favorite Photos from January 2021