[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FAB833″ custom_padding_tablet=”125px||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”125px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_post_title meta=”off” featured_image=”off” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_main_element_last_edited=”off|desktop”][\/et_pb_post_title][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#4E3162″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ module_class=”equal-col” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” background_enable_color=”off” background_layout=”dark” width=”100%” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″ locked=”off”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9kYXRlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiRGF0ZTogIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJkYXRlX2Zvcm1hdCI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJjdXN0b21fZGF0ZV9mb3JtYXQiOiIifX0=@[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ module_class=”equal-col” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” background_enable_color=”off” background_layout=”dark” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9jYXRlZ29yaWVzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiQ2F0ZWdvcmllczogIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9mZiIsInNlcGFyYXRvciI6IiB8ICIsImNhdGVnb3J5X3R5cGUiOiJjYXRlZ29yeSJ9fQ==@[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ module_class=”equal-col” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” background_enable_color=”off” background_layout=”dark” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiVGFnczogIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6InBvc3RfdGFnIn19@[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_color=”off” custom_padding=”5px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”20px||0px||false|false” custom_css_main_element=”display: flex;||flex-wrap: wrap;” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” custom_css_main_element=”margin: auto;” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_main_element_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_css_main_element_tablet=”order: 2;” custom_css_main_element_phone=”order: 2;”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
As\u00a0it was recently\u00a0Small\u00a0Business Saturday,\u00a0it got us thinking about what being a young entrepreneur in Greater Manchester feels like.<\/p>\n
Starting your own business can feel like a\u00a0scary prospect, especially if you\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0have anyone in your life that works as a freelancer or runs a business of their own.<\/p>\n
Knowing where to start and what to expect can feel the one of the biggest obstacles to starting your own business.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s\u00a0why\u00a0we\u2019re\u00a0talking to\u00a0young entrepreneurs in Greater Manchester who have pursued their passions on their own\u00a0terms,\u00a0and\u00a0are now giving advice to the next generation of future business owners \u2013 you!<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”20px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
This is something I find\u00a0really hard\u00a0because I am neurodiverse, however having a written list of things I\u00a0have to\u00a0do and by when,\u00a0can help with staying organised.<\/p>\n
My working patterns are not the standard 9-5\u00a0work day, most weeks I am working from 10am to around 8pm, with a break in the middle to do non-work things,\u00a0like the washing or food shopping.<\/p>\n
I also find having a set deadline motivates me to get things done.\u00a0If\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0working for someone else or a client, ask for your deadlines to be adjusted before the actual deadline, so you have time for feedback and changes,\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0do it\u00a0all the day\u00a0before like I used to!<\/p>\n
If\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0reading this and you are also neurodiverse, just know that\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0okay to take a break or to bitesize your work into do-able chunks.\u00a0Don\u2019t\u00a0try and do everything at once because you will burn out!<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/gmacs.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Keiran.jpg” title_text=”Keiran” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”20px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Running a business has made me so much more confident in myself and my own abilities, as well as knowing my own strengths and weaknesses. I know I am not great with numbers, so I have friends or\u00a0business people\u00a0I know who can check it for me.<\/p>\n
Online, I really like making content and connecting with other small businesses as well as my customers. 5 years\u00a0ago\u00a0I would never have had the confidence to even talk to a customer, let alone another business owner.<\/p>\n
When I first started\u00a0Katchee, I\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0really care to know about the numbers or my audience.<\/p>\n
Nowadays, I am constantly on top of the numbers, constantly wanting to improve margins and understand my audience better, what makes them tick, why would they buy from me, what other products would they like?<\/p>\n
I have developed so many skills I\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0even realise I would need, from content creation to product photography and SEO,\u00a0to working out margins on a spreadsheet, as a sole trader you really do have to do it all.<\/p>\n
I think I have gained valuable transferable skills like customer service, interpersonal skills, problem solving and so many other things. I will also admit I\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0know everything about business and\u00a0probably never\u00a0will. If there is a day where I am no longer learning something new,\u00a0that\u2019s\u00a0the day I retire.<\/p>\n
Learn the fundamentals of business before you grow, know your audience and what they need, what problem do you solve for them?\u00a0Don\u2019t\u00a0be afraid to ask for help from someone who knows their stuff, sometimes\u00a0you\u2019d\u00a0be surprised what you learn from a mentor,\u00a0more experienced\u00a0business person,\u00a0or an organisation like\u00a0The Kings Trust\u00a0or The Growth Company.<\/p>\n
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At first, nails were just something I enjoyed on the side to get me through university. But over time, I realised I\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0fit inside traditional jobs. I wanted work that\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0drain me but nurtured me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
What began as something small,\u00a0slowly grew because people believed in me before I fully believed in myself. Clients shared my work, told their friends, and little by little, it became clear that I was allowed to build something different.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Not every season is about growth, and I try to lean into that. I conserve energy when I need to, and grab inspiration whenever it hits.\u00a0Then, when I have the time and energy, I dive into the new things\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0most excited to try.\u00a0<\/p>\n
On days I\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0bounce out of bed ready for work, I remind myself\u00a0I\u2019ve\u00a0had days like these before -and most often, I end up feeling lighter, brighter, and quietly proud by the time I finish.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Organisation-wise\u00a0let\u2019s\u00a0just say\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0a work in progress.\u00a0\u00a0Morning rituals like lighting incense, softening the\u00a0lights\u00a0and setting the mood via music help me stay grounded. Not an organisation queen, but I know how to deliver a playlist that brings the vibes!\u00a0Beyond that, I live by my calendar and Notes app. (Tips welcome -I\u2019ll\u00a0take all the hacks!)<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”20px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve\u00a0become more resilient.\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0less scared to try new things, because even if they fail, I know\u00a0I\u2019ll\u00a0learn something along the\u00a0way and\u00a0give my clients a good giggle.<\/p>\n
Running my business has also shown me how much I really love people – my people. My vibe has attracted my tribe, and it keeps attracting them!\u00a0I\u2019ve\u00a0learned to trust myself and my intuition more, and to honour my own pace. Taking time for me\u00a0actually adds\u00a0to my business.<\/p>\n
Slowing down helps me show up for myself, my business, and my clients,\u00a0feeling rejuvenated and fully like me.<\/p>\n
Well,\u00a0I\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0know I had this much resilience!\u00a0I\u2019ve\u00a0also built confidence I never thought\u00a0I\u2019d\u00a0have, just by showing up consistently for my clients and for the business in my own way.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve\u00a0discovered the magic of my own rhythm.\u00a0\u00a0I\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0do things the \u2018traditional\u2019 way. And that works for me. Turns out, following your own pace, and giving yourself a break when needed, is a\u00a0skill\u00a0in itself.<\/p>\n
Find your people (by being yourself)-mentors, workshops, communities of other small business owners -and soak up inspiration. The scary parts feel less scary when you know\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0not alone, and your tribe will help you trust yourself, keep your momentum, and enjoy the ride.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t\u00a0get stuck on soaking up the\u00a0inspiration\u00a0though.\u00a0Do it wrong. Do it\u00a0scared. But\u00a0Do.<\/p>\n
You don\u2019t have to have it all figured out, and you definitely don\u2019t have to follow a traditional playbook. Show up, take the leaps, make mistakes, and trust your intuition.<\/p>\n
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If that’s got you excited about the idea of being an entrepeneur, why not check out our article on Curriculum for Life about how to set up your business<\/a>?<\/p>\n