5 things I’ve learned since I founded VP Comms

This February, VP Comms turned TWO! It’s been an incredible two years and I have been lucky enough to work with some seriously inspiring people to deliver positive impact. Here, I’ve shared a handful of the things I’ve learned as an entrepreneur:

1. There will be wins and losses.

Highs and lows. Busy periods and not so busy periods. And I am learning to embrace them all. I’ve found it’s important to rejoice the times you achieve your goals, but equally important to reflect on why something didn’t turn out the way you expected. That’s how we learn and grow.

2. A sounding board is vital.

I’ve formed a tight knit group of people that I really trust and whose opinions I care about deeply. They’re not in the same field as me, but they understand what I do and they give me honest feedback – no bullshit. I go to them when I’m struggling with a decision, or want their input into something I’ve created. That second pair of eyes and alternative perspective is one of my most valuable assets.

3. Never lose sight of why you launched.

It’s tempting to agree to projects that don’t quite align with where you want to go. I’m learning to say yes to things that take me in the general direction of my vision. I also set up VP Comms to have more freedom and flexibility in my lifestyle. That means I can chair the school PTA and launch local campaigns like Love Haslemere, Hate Waste, all whilst delivering great work for my clients.

4. Say YES!

As long as the opportunities help you deliver your vision – say yes! I said, ‘Yes’ to presenting at the Holmes Report Summit in Washington DC in October 2018 and loved the experience of presenting on stage, even though I was really nervous when I was first asked. I prepared and prepared and it felt like such an achievement afterwards.

5. Keep on learning

Learning is such a huge part of our growth. When you’re not in a big company, it’s easy to lose sight of your learning and development journey. When you run your own business, your learning becomes your responsibility, and you can shape it in any way you like. I love reading books like How to be More Pirate, listening to TED talks like A Few Ways to Fix a Government, and heading to the RSA to take part in training events like RSA Coaching Network.

So, here’s to the next two years, and beyond!

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Victoria Page (VP Comms) is a corporate purpose, communications and brand strategy expert. Get in touch if you’d like to know more.