I’ve been contemplating what to write to celebrate the milestone of 14 years in business. 

I could write a version of an “Oscars Acceptance Speech”, but where’s the value in that?

So here’s my list of 14 things I’ve learned from 14 years in business (in no particular order). 

1. Practice makes perfect – Rewriting and reworking media releases, rehearsing a speech, whatever it is you’re working on – practice in all its variations does make perfect. 
2. READ! For pleasure and business, this is one point that I constantly reinforce with my clients. Reading across various outlets and genres is excellent for opening your mind. 
3. Proofread everything. As a one-person band, I am solely responsible for proofing everything that leaves my computer. The buck stops with me. So I read, re-read, then re-read again and again before I hit send on any document and I encourage you to do the same. The difference between re-reading something or dealing with the fallout of an error in a document is a no-brainer for me. (I’d prefer to spend the time re-reading; thank you!)  
4. Listen – One of the most valuable lessons a mentor shared with me was to listen to what someone is saying. Listen to what they’re saying, don’t listen to simply respond. By actively listening, you’ll find that a conversation can go in directions you never imagined. 
5. With this in mind – Ask questions – ALWAYS! There’s no such thing as a dumb question. I LOVE learning new things about my clients, and “asking the dumb question” has often helped both the client and me!
6. Use your senses proportionately. There’s a saying, “You have two eyes, two ears and one mouth; use them proportionately”. As with point three, I remind myself of this saying daily. 
7. Always get “the photo” – I’m guilty of not recording a lot of the start of Pursuit – specifically the behind-the-scenes “stuff”. Don’t be embarrassed to ask someone to take the photo. You’ll be glad you did later on. 
8. Highlight your successes. If you don’t, who will? You’ve worked hard to reach these goals – big or small; you deserve your time in the sunshine.
9. Reward the small wins – As above – highlight your successes. What you consider small, someone else may believe to be a considerable achievement and want to collaborate with you or engage with you to find out “how” you achieved your win. 
10. Network – I knew no one when I moved from Sydney to the NSW Central Coast in 2008. Networking was critical for my business. Yes, it was daunting, but what was more daunting was the possibility of not succeeding without networking. You’ll often find others there as nervous as you and keen to initiate a conversation. 
11. Respect your boundaries – If the pandemic has taught the workforce anything, it’s the critical importance of boundaries. Health and well-being, work-life – it’s all important to get the right balance. 
12. Keep your own goals – Stay focused on what your competitors are doing – look for ways you could potentially collaborate! Keep a visual list and put it somewhere you can see it. Then refer to point 7 when you kick those goals. 
13. As I’ve stated, don’t compare yourself to others. Professionally and personally, Theodore Roosevelt said, “comparison is the thief of joy“. I couldn’t agree more. 
14. Have fun. The idea of “having fun” and working are often at other ends of the spectrum. That’s not what Pursuit is about. I started Pursuit to be different and “not offer a cookie cutter approach” – a line I used from day one and continue to use. I also love to show potential clients and our existing clients how a little creativity can benefit their business and reach their target audience in various ways. 

So here’s to 14 years of Pursuit. Thanks for your support, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing, but that’s what I love. I thrive on challenges, the ability to showcase businesses of all sizes, and the privilege of running my own business.