What we've learned in the first year of having our own business.

It's hard to believe it's been a year since we left the corporate world to start Big M Marketing.

We've been fortunate enough to work with great people from amazing brands. We've helped create new brands and rejuvenate established ones. We've helped develop Marketing strategies and consistently bring them to life. We've worked with sports manufacturers and financial service providers. We've advised small start-ups and large global players. Our work has taken us from Amsterdam to Nairobi, via Seattle, London, Pisa and Malaga.

And along the way, we've learned a few things about starting a business:

Basic DIY skills come in very handy.

From building our own desks to badly hanging white boards, we now fully appreciate the skills of our former facilities colleagues.

You'll wear ten hats all at once.

Gary drew the short straw and became our CFO. He is now a tax expert in multiple countries. Fish became CIO and can now redesign our website in her sleep.

You don’t need a fancy office on a canal.

It’s tempting of course to splash the cash on a fabulous office. We have a simple office outside of the city centre. It works for us and our clients.

Don't buy squeaky chairs.

They will drive you nuts.

You get to have no meetings.

We talk when we need to. Imagine that. It’s marvellous.

People really are very kind.

We’ve been touched by how many people have given us support along the way. From offering advice, opening up business opportunities or just cheering us on, the genuine support and kindness from others has been wonderful.

Thank you to everyone who has helped make our first year a great one!