A Moment of Clarity at The DO Lectures

A few months ago, we participated in a programme of masterclasses and seminars, to equip our creative business with the right strategies for investment and growth. It didn’t quite go to plan. An advisor told us that our business was fundamentally a “Lifestyle business”, and probably unsuitable for investment. This term was not just a casual comment, it was a judgement — one that implied we were merely ‘playing’ at business. It stung. The label, intended or not, was an undermining insult that left us feeling insignificant and undervalued.

Yesterday, I attended a workshop ‘Do. Manifesto’, alongside my good friend Emma Lightfoot. Led by David Hieatt and Mike Coulter, the intention was to provide clarity and a framework to move forward as an individual or a business.

The venue was just a few yards up from where I lived in Primrose Hill, 20 years ago. The familiar surroundings, like-minded people (it was great to see Nick Moffat from Proximity days), and the community spirit made the workshop feel very special.

Conversations around creativity, values, motivation, happiness and purpose – what matters most …

And then it hit me.
We have a lifestyle business.
And there’s nothing wrong with that.

We are not playing at it. We have intentionally made it, we are living it, and we are proud of it.

For over a decade, we have been fortunate to make a living out of something we genuinely love doing and we work with people who appreciate and value what we do for them.

Thank you, David and Mike, for that moment of clarity and for reminding me of our worth.

If you don’t Do. https://thedolectures.com