Recently, I attended an online workshop called “Three Things Killing Your Marketing and Sales” led by Laura Staunton, the owner of Progress Digital. I won’t spoil the key takeaways, Laura delivers them brilliantly, and if you're curious, I highly recommend checking out her Instagram to learn more.

What I will share is the effect this workshop had on me. It pushed me to pause and really reflect, not just on how I market my business, but why I do what I do, and who I truly want to help.

My Mission

My goal has always been simple: to help small start-up businesses find their feet visually. I want to ease the overwhelm that so many new business owners feel when it comes to branding, social media, and digital presence. Not everyone is a designer. Not everyone knows how to use the online tools like Canva or how to build a website. But that doesn’t mean their message is any less valuable.

I want to take that visual pressure off their shoulders, to bring their business to life in a way that feels professional, aligned, and meaningful. Because sometimes, even when you can DIY it, it might not quite land the way you imagined.

The “Instagram Grid” Giggle

I had to laugh at myself during the workshop when Laura mentioned how so many people spend hours trying to make the perfect Instagram grid, crafting pixel-perfect graphics and how, in many cases, it’s all a waste of time if the message isn’t getting across.

She’s right. A message that doesn’t connect is a message wasted.

But still… that person spending hours tweaking and perfecting every detail of a graphic? That’s 100% ME. Guilty!

I’ll be the first to admit, I’m obsessive when it comes to a visual layout. My home is clean and curated, my designs are carefully thought through, and yes, I’ve absolutely lost hours to font comparisons. But that’s my passion. That’s where I find joy. And as a consumer myself, I do judge based on appearance. If a brand’s logo is pixelated, their socials are chaotic, or their website is broken, I immediately question their professionalism and attention to detail.

That’s not to say everyone needs to share my standards. But it is why my clients come to me. Which brings me to…

Self-Doubt in Small Business

It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparison, especially in the creative and freelance world.

• “Why aren’t I getting as many enquiries?”
  

• “Is my work not good enough?”
  

• “Should I know more?”
  

• “Am I behind?”
  

I’ve asked myself all of these questions.

But the truth is, my clients are not someone else’s clients. I work with a lot of clients who aren’t tech-savvy. They’ve had ideas swirling in their minds for years, but life and work always got in the way. They’re not looking for trend-chasing designers, they’re looking for someone who gets it. Someone patient. Someone who can help bring their vision to life without the overwhelm.

And that’s exactly what I offer.

I take the time to truly understand my clients. I don’t just design and disappear. I listen, collaborate, and offer tools that empower them to move forward on their own. Editable templates, easy-to-manage websites, brand clarity, my services are built around support and sustainability.

Final Thoughts

So, when self-doubt starts to creep in, as it often does. I remind myself:

• I am good enough.
  

• My value isn’t defined by vanity metrics or how “busy” I seem online.
  

• The people who need what I offer will find me, because I’m building a business that’s rooted in service, care, and clarity.
  

To anyone else out there navigating small business life: it’s okay to question yourself. It means you care. Just don’t forget to answer those doubts with a reminder of what makes you uniquely you.

Keep showing up. Keep refining. Keep serving.

You’re not behind. You’re building something beautiful, in your own time, and in your own way.