10 Things in 10 Years
We made it — 10 years!
Est. 2012
Put on your party hat and crack the champagne! C3 Collective is now double-digits, and oh what a trip it’s been! My team asked me to name the top ten things I’ve learned running a business over the last decade.
Here we go. You must:
Believe in yourself. I come from an academic family. Running a business wasn’t exactly on my radar growing up. In fact, it seemed near impossible. I had to dig deep and find the ‘why’, which was, showing my daughter a strong woman who could be savvy and self-sufficient.
Have a sense of humor. You must. You run into some absurdities in this business, but being able to laugh about it (eventually) and together, is key. Humor is a big part of C3 culture, and more than occasionally it makes things easier.
Adhere to your mission. This is your north star. There are many times I’ve had to take a hard look in the mirror and ask myself about my legacy. What do I want C3 to be known for?
Surround yourself with smart and supportive people. Yes, Steve Jobs had that part right. I’ve learned so much from the people I’ve worked with, most of whom have been supportive and encouraging. Having a passion for what we do, and how we do it, is critical for our success.
NEVER stop learning. My father was an English professor, and one of the most intelligent people on earth. He was also one of the most modest men, always curious about other people’s lives and their experiences, always asking more questions. This is a man with an ivy league education, whom instead of pontificating his beliefs, would listen to others. I try to emulate his approach to life and learning every day.
Know when to ask for help. OK – full transparency. This is a tough one for me. After ten years, I’m JUST getting to the point where I can comfortably delegate and ask for support in a certain area. Perhaps it’s a woman thing…?
Choose clients wisely. A friend or acquaintance may or may not be the best client. I’ve known it both ways. Do choose clients who align with your values, and understand your worth. I always start a relationship with a client by underscoring, we are their partner – not a vendor.
Get a mentor. There’s a wealth of information to be found with other leaders in your field. People who’ve spent their lives invested in an industry want to teach you and help.
Keep your skills sharp. Continuing education is mandatory for my accreditation, but even if it wasn’t, I’d still follow my curiosity. There have been so many changes in the communications field over the last few years, and a proactive approach to keeping on top of industry changes goes a really long way.
Work smarter, not more. A couple of years ago, I was diagnosed with ADD. If I had to explain what it feels like to have ADD, it’s that you think you have more hours in the day than other people. I, in fact, don’t and would pile on work, which ultimately led to working evenings and weekends. It was inefficient, at best, and took valuable time away from my daughter. Today, I have the systems in place to focus when I need to – and actually unplug to recharge.