Sharing my journey of starting a business is simply my way of documenting the processes, if it helps just one person, then I will be content.
Motivation
When I consider my journey to becoming a business owner, I realise that I have always wanted to do so, however, the motivation to actually make the leap was never sufficient. Like many before me, it was redundancy that forced the decision for me. I decided right at the start that I didn’t want to be an employee again. Despite the complexities of starting a business, that decision has never changed.
Why Clockwork?
When I was in the early stages of decision making, I started considering names, Clockwork Support was my second option, the first wasn’t available. In case you don’t know, you need to ensure you check that nobody is using the business name you want to. Companies House can help, don’t pay to do it!
I wanted to have the word Support and I love Steampunk and I have a beautiful clockwork watch, that my friend gave me. So, Clockwork Support felt right on many levels.
For me, Clockwork is how things should work, or maybe could, it is impossible to be everything, so we need to focus on what we are good at, our cogs, others can be their own cogs, we can then all work together.
The logo is AI generated, I will come back to AI at another time, it is an interesting time. I chose the colours and wanted a futuristic feel, the font for Clockwork Support is called Raleway, if you are a typography fan, you will hopefully like the clean lines and the beautiful ‘W’ which was one reason I chose this font. The logo colours incidentally, are drawn from the eyes of an anime character, Frieren.
What to do?
Admin may not seem a very exciting career choice but I am good at it, so the ‘what’ was an easy decision, remote administration support.
However, the wider decisions was harder, I looked at other remote admin, or virtual assistant roles and none seemed to fit for me. I am not a marketing person, or event planner or even someone to manage a calendar for someone. I wanted instead to focus on what I am good at, back office admin, policy drafting, compliance work, systems and strategy work. Give me a problem and I am happy to help, working with some or all of the cogs that make up an organisation.
Charities and not-for-profits
I made the decision, against advice to focus on what fits my own goals, working with charities and other not-for-profits. Those that make a difference, not being an expensive consultant but just offering affordable administrative support that can help organisations achieve their goals.
What’s next?
Starting a business if, like me, you are neurodivergent, introverted and socially awkward (aiming for the short list), is a challenge, however, each step is a step forward. I hear other’s wise words but I choose my own path, stepping forward when I can, stepping back when I need to. When I became redundant I welcomed a puppy into our home, Milo is a Sprocker (Cocker/Springer Spaniel) his energy levels go from sleep to high octane in 5 seconds and he is wonderful and is the unofficial Clockwork Support mascot!
Milo