Being a sole trader can be a lonely business. I mean, it’s in the name, isn’t it? While being self-employed in the creative field can have a net positive impact on the lives of those who choose to walk the yellow brick road, it can also feel isolating with a whole lot of guess-work thrown in. Not to mention there’s no sick leave… 

The main thing I miss about working for other people (apart from the regular pay check, obviously) is having co-workers. People who are actively invested in the outcome of the project you’re working on, the weekly or monthly check-ins to make sure everything is running to schedule, people who are there to listen, offer advice and have a whinge about the boss.

So, I decided to create my own co-workers.

Business Buds is a personal group chat I share with curated creatives who catch up to discuss the ins and outs of business. We chat about our wins and our struggles, set goals and intentions, and keep each other accountable. Think of it like the monthly management meeting, but involving a lot more conversations about embroidery, ceramics and illustrations, plus a tasty cocktail or two (because why wouldn’t you host it at new bars in town?).

Want to create your own co-workers? Here are my recommendations:

FIND YOUR PEOPLE Have a think about a few creatives you know who might help create the kind of safe and open space you need in order to be vulnerable about your business. They don’t need to be your friends, (yet) just people you can vibe with in the creative business realm that also have the right problem-solving energy for you.

DEFINE WHAT YOU’RE HERE FOR Have a discussion about what you want from this group. Are you here for some accountability, a feeling of camaraderie to take out the loneliness of sole trading, or some help with goal setting? Do you want everyone to put their problem-solving caps on, or do you just need some kind ears to get a problem off your chest?

SET UP A SPECIFIC TIME It’s pretty easy to let the business talk go out the window when you’re catching up with friends (or soon to be friends). But because we do Business Buds once a month on a Tuesday night, we know we can’t get too distracted. We give ourselves time for a drink and a few fun tangents, but we’re all committed to keeping things somewhat on topic. 

HAVE A FEW TOPICS READY TO GO Our first Business Buds catch-up felt a bit nerve wracking. Even though we all knew each other, we knew we were here to talk about our businesses, which for creative freelancers whose identity is wrapped up in our craft, can honestly feel a bit like therapy. We opened it up by simply asking what we want to get out of this, followed by a quick breakdown of a place we’re currently thriving in our business, and something we’re striving for. Three hours later, the bar was closing and we ended up talking on the street corner, not ready to finish. Here are a few openers to get you talking:

What’s a recent win you’ve had in your business?

What is the thing you’re finding the most challenging at the moment?

Do you have a goal for the next month/quarter/year? 

KEEP IT DIVERSE It might sound counterintuitive, but I love the fact I’m the only photographer and writer in the group. There is a time and a place to catch up with other photographers and talk shop, and I love doing that too, but I find that because we’re all in slightly different creative spaces there is freedom to be more vulnerable and to think outside the box. We understand each other’s creative struggles, but because we all run slightly different businesses, we can offer insights that wouldn’t be available to those in the same industry. Like co-workers in a management meeting, everyone has a different job title, as opposed to an audition where everyone is vying for the same thing.

Although, I might start Business Buds 2.0 the photographer edition. Let’s see.

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