I love this Caitlin! From one creative client-pleaser who takes on too much to another, I see you and feel this so much. Amazing how long it takes to realize how great boundaries can be! (I'm still learning)
Hard relate ❤️. Tough lessons for all us small agency owners who moved from larger teams - I’m still unlearning them! And working till midnight each day this week 😭😄.
It's so refreshing to hear about the lessons learned from living in a big agency and giving yourself permission to be human. Being human or "small" doesn't mean bad business. Thanks for sharing, Caitlin!
this is great — and so relatable! i get a high or thrill from overworking and from achievement— before turning 50, it was ok. now though? i’m just tired. and lately i think joy is the key to most things. where’s the joy? even if i’m working hard, i have to be able to see and feel it. otherwise, what’s it for?
Great Substack post! Balance is key! Agencies are notorious for over promising and scope creep is the worst. I used to write quite a lot for Brandchannel and have even been pulled into some naming projects back when you were probably there—so nice to find you here through Courtney!
This is such a resonant story from my own experience running a small nonprofit - the difference being the pressure to operate as big came from the board, funders and the peers in the sector. It meant we were rarely able to complete the thread of good work and I left burnt out and wilted. You’ve also given me language as I think about the agency I’m building as a one person shop now and how I do that well and true to me. I don’t have to be the Goliath.
I love this Caitlin! From one creative client-pleaser who takes on too much to another, I see you and feel this so much. Amazing how long it takes to realize how great boundaries can be! (I'm still learning)
I’m still learning too 😭😭😭
It takes so many hard-earned lessons for me to make actual change! 😭😭 Whyyyyy??!?! Lol
Your candor is beautiful and so, so helpful. Thank you for sharing this today <3
Tatiana, that means a lot coming from you ❤️ thank you!
Hard relate ❤️. Tough lessons for all us small agency owners who moved from larger teams - I’m still unlearning them! And working till midnight each day this week 😭😄.
Oh, we alllllll fall back into our old ways 😩 But we learn more about what not to do every time!
Just wanna add, shaved looks great on you! But I’m sure it was such a tough journey 💛
Real
For real.
So good — and so relatable.
Thank you for reading, Nancy! <3
It's so refreshing to hear about the lessons learned from living in a big agency and giving yourself permission to be human. Being human or "small" doesn't mean bad business. Thanks for sharing, Caitlin!
Great story. Small is beautiful. The last thing the world needs are more Landorterbrands. Cheers!
this is great — and so relatable! i get a high or thrill from overworking and from achievement— before turning 50, it was ok. now though? i’m just tired. and lately i think joy is the key to most things. where’s the joy? even if i’m working hard, i have to be able to see and feel it. otherwise, what’s it for?
Resonates! Sadly, my male pattern baldness tells me nothing abouty stress levels.
Great Substack post! Balance is key! Agencies are notorious for over promising and scope creep is the worst. I used to write quite a lot for Brandchannel and have even been pulled into some naming projects back when you were probably there—so nice to find you here through Courtney!
This is such a resonant story from my own experience running a small nonprofit - the difference being the pressure to operate as big came from the board, funders and the peers in the sector. It meant we were rarely able to complete the thread of good work and I left burnt out and wilted. You’ve also given me language as I think about the agency I’m building as a one person shop now and how I do that well and true to me. I don’t have to be the Goliath.