The Gremlins, The Mogwai, and the Hard Work of Launching a Business with Intention

Launching a business is no joke. Starting something new with intention and purpose is hard work.

A Different Kind of Beginning

I’ve been self-employed for many years, first as a consultant in Fintech, then as a freelance designer and illustrator. Neither of these experiences prepared me for the mental and emotional energy required to launch Studio Härmonē.

My most recent role was with a start-up. I learned a lot about that environment: it was exciting, empowering, and purpose-driven, with the core value of saving lives. It taught me that launching a new small business is different. The edges are sharper. The chance of not succeeding is higher. The pressure of ensuring there are enough funds for payroll feels far more potent.

Falling in Love with the Plan

I started working on my business plan in July. As many who have worked with me know, I love a plan and I love research. I’m a total nerd for cost-benefit analyses, timelines, and forecasts. I was game.

What I wasn’t prepared for was how much I’d need to draw on my internal fortitude to extract and articulate the why and how of my own business, especially when launching a business with intention.

The Mogwai and the Gremlins

We all have this chatter in our heads that fusses about the “what ifs.” As a Gen X, I like to visualize them as mogwai and gremlins from the 1984 classic Gremlins.

Some of my inner mogwai jumped at the opportunity to become gremlins on my shoulders, whispering their “what ifs” into my ears.

• On the right side one was muttering about how I’d never get any clients, wouldn’t be able to afford payroll, and was definitely going to fail.

  
  

• On the left side the other was fatally optimistic. I was going to have thousands of clients with huge projects I’d never finish on time, would do a terrible job, and earn an awful reputation. I’d be a victim of my own success, and I’d still fail.

I’m a visual thinker. Seeing my nattering “what if” thoughts as gremlins serves two purposes. First, it separates the thoughts from my core self. They’re just thoughts; I can hear them, give them a voice, and then put them away. Second, it’s funny. Humour is my favourite coping mechanism, it takes the false power away from the nattering naysayers and diffuses difficult situations.

The Work Takes Time

So, with my gremlins turned back into mogwai and tucked into their beds, I continue with the first steps of starting a business. One thing that’s surprised me is how long things take. Maybe it’s not long from the outside, but from the inside… holy!

Writing a business plan for my own business is much more effort than for a client. Coming up with my own branding and building the Studio Härmonē website have taken more time and energy than they ever would for a client.

Launching a Business with Intention

I suppose this is because I’m forming and shaping Studio Härmonē with intention. My design firm serves a purpose. Everything is done mindfully, considering our mission and target market, not just my personal preferences or aesthetics.

I’m not designing it for me. I’m not shaping it for me. Studio Härmonē is outside of myself. It’s becoming an entity. A home for like-minded creatives and a service for mission-led organizations across BC. The meticulous detail required for my own launch is the same level my clients will benefit from.

Looking Up from the Work

Maybe this is just how long it takes. Maybe it’s actually fast. For me, it feels like I’ve been hyper-focused on weaving an intricate pattern for months, using fine needlework and a magnifying glass. Then I look up, with blurred vision and tired hands, wondering where the last three months went.

Gratitude and Resolve

So here I sit, on my sofa with a view of the mighty Fraser. My four-legged colleagues are lounging in the sun. My coffee is steaming on the side table. This is one of my thinkin’ and writin’ spots.

The leaves are vibrant with autumn colours, and the air is crisp and fresh. I feel a profound gratitude for the experiences I’ve gathered, both professionally and personally.

I know I have the fortitude, savvy, and passion to shape Studio Härmonē into a strong, self-sustaining creative business that serves the community with integrity and harmony.

And So It Begins

Launching a business is no joke.

And, I’ve got this.

And, I’m looking forward to when I can shift that to we’ve got this.