My top 5 small business boundaries
You probably started your small business because you have a passion for what you do, right? It's a common starting point for many people, but that excitement can only take you so far if you don't protect it.
One of the most important things you can do to care for that passion and keep it thriving is to put strict business boundaries in place for yourself and your clients from the very beginning!
I have quite a few business boundaries after 8 years of freelancing (2 with Shiny Happy) that have served me really well. Here are 5 of my non-negotiables to get you thinking:
1. I only work with clients who align with my values
I didn't start my own business to work with people I don't like or support. It's just that simple! I choose to only work with client's who align with my values of playfulness and joy, employ ethical business practices and don't cross my moral boundaries (e.g. I'd never work with a tobacco company!)
I also specifically work with people who appreciate that I am a skilled professional with years of experience in my craft - not a yes woman who will do whatever they want.
2. No contract and deposit? No work
It's so tempting to accept the promise of payment later and just crack on with work when you're new to things - but it's no way to run a small business. I don't schedule a kick-off call for a new client until the work contract is signed and a 50% deposit has been paid, regardless of the project timeline.
This is communicated to every potential client I have, so they know the deal from the get-go. Any delays that occur around this are the responsibility of the client, not me!
3. My holidays and days off are non-negotiable
If you know me - you know I take a lot of holidays (it's exactly why I run my own business, among other things). On rare occasions, I decide to take my work with me so that I can travel more, but this doesn't happen often. I communicate any time off I have booked with clients in advance and, regardless of timelines, don't work during that time so that I can rest my brain and stimulate my sense of adventure.
Oh, and I don't do client work on weekends. Ever!
4. I have a 24 hour response time
As a standard, I don't promise immediate responses or access to me to all clients. I have a workload and a whole vibrant personal life to balance, so client's will just have to wait 🤷♀️ There is no part of web design that is life-or-death, so that level of urgency simply isn't required. I advise all clients that they can expect a response from me in 24 hours.
I also don't do 'urgent' jobs - I like to have a fixed schedule, so things have to fit where I have space. No exceptions!
5. All feedback needs to written - not verbal
This is one I've learned the hard way - I no longer do feedback calls or meetings WITHOUT recieving written feedback by email first. Running a meeting, listening to the client, writing notes and looking through the website all at the same time is just too overwhelming and I'm not able to be present with client's in the way that I like to be.
With written feedback, I'm able to get a sense of things before a meeting, as well as having notes to go back to, to make sure I can satisfy the client's needs as much as possible.
Have these boundaries got you thinking? Take the ones that serve you as a starting point and consider your own principles and values to inspire your business boundaries list.
Remember: Your boundaries can and will change as you gain more experience - which is totally fine - just keep everyone (and your important documents) updated.
