11 Dec [BLOG] What I’ve learned working in a start-up and the transition working at DARETOGROW

You guessed it; I passed my probation! But of course, it was never going to be that uniform, we’re very chill here at DARETOGROW. Nevertheless, I passed my probation and I’ve officially been in the team for 6 months now. Time really does fly when you’re having fun. Being in a job you enjoy really does reflect how you show up in the world and how you look after yourself. During the 6 months, the change has been phenomenal, within the business and my personal life.

Firstly, if you know, you know: working in a start-up business is one of the most exciting things you can do.

It’s already so far-fetched from what most of us our used to. For example, in already established businesses, there are usually systems in place and when you join, and you are trained accordingly. Of course, there is nothing wrong with that, if it works it works.

Years ago, I received a somewhat glowing reference from a former employer however they mentioned that “I sometimes had a bad relationship with authority”… Yeah duh, I was a teenager working in a pub. But in addition to that, I have always had strong opinions and if something isn’t right or could be done differently, I will speak up. I don’t think that’s a sign of bad work ethic, I worked damn hard, perhaps it’s better described as being somewhat maverick?

Since joining DARETOGROW I have found that working in a start-up means one thing: Be prepared for change.

With such an enthusiastic and creative team, we are coming up with new strategies all the time. Changing the processes of how we create content, reach new audiences, win new clients and ultimately; grow! Another bonus is that with so few of us, all our opinions are heard – some are a bit crazy from time to time, but we like to think we remain level-headed in most situations…

So, a few benefits of working in as part of a start-up:

Watching the business grow from within:

It’s like a real-time countdown. You know the countdown apps you can install on your phone before your holiday to New York? You watch it unravel. As things happen in the business, you experience a shift which you wouldn’t necessarily notice in a larger, well-established business. Heck, it’s exciting. It has a knock-on effect on your day-to-day and means we need to re-strategize every 2 months or so, we are changing our roles each day. For example, when I began there was a vlog going out nearly every day. The breakdown of my day would be to write about it, upload it and distribute it. Now my role is so much more, I still hold those responsibilities but intertwined within that I now look into the analytics. I study the customer and have free reign over what we put out into the world. It’s a creative freedom that is ultimately responsive towards the growth of the business.

No two days are the same.

You’ve seen it before, when the job advert says; “You want a job where no two days are the same, where you’re constantly kept on your toes and challenging yourself?” There’s a reason it’s an advert, it’s to entice you. Let’s be real here, they were lying to you. Most days you are going in, looking at the same database, having the same conversations and looking at that vacant expression staring back at you in the mirror. That’s not how it feels at DARETOGROW. Operations are in full swing here and every, well at least week, we are trying something else, something new and something that will challenge us and our way of thinking.

Taking on more responsibilities:

Similar to how couples “try new things to ignite that lost spark”, a business is a lot like a relationship, you have to evolve and make decisions to build it into something reputable and strong. Because if we never changed anything, nothing would be exciting. The idea of going into a job and having the same responsibilities every day no longer appeals to me since starting DARETOGROW. Learning to take on new responsibilities has allowed me to make executive decisions and, actually, have more confidence in my ideas and my position within the company. Another element that is apparent in smaller businesses, no one’s role is specifically going to stay the same. As the business adapts and grows, so does the individual’s responsibilities.

We really practice the idea of work-life balance:

We’ve got to practice what we preach, right? With our brand being so unique and spreading the message of making a living doing what you love, we of course have to adhere to that image. Therefore, since joining DARETOGROW we have gone down to four-day working week. You’d be surprised how much more we get done, productivity has shot up and Matt and myself have the opportunity to focus on our interests outside of work as well as keeping up with the “admin of life”. And, well, it’s obviously awesome.

That’s the beauty of being part of a start-up, we’re changing how we do things every-single-day, and it’s so damn refreshing.

What’s my story?

Since joining the team here at DARETOGROW I have had the opportunity to utilise my skills behind the camera; I’m still getting to grips with the idea of being in front of one. Since joining, not only have I had the chance to photograph the team and various items of merchandise including workbooks, I have also been the allocated photographer at two of the events we have put on. My direction towards writing has changed and I am finding time in my personal life to focus on writing, which is major for my development in the business and outside of it too. What have I learned since being the Marketing Executive? Confirmation that I have great ideas. And yes, my opinions are valid.

Oh, and that time Matt said dilapidated.

2020 is looking at being a crazy year for us, so stay tuned to see what we get up to.

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Writing by Amy Linsdell