Friday 12 March 2010

FAME and Trevor Nelson



Photo by Lighthouse Fashion Photography http://www.lighthousefashion.co.uk/

On Wednesday I was on the panel for a Q & A session for FAME - The Creative Industries Show. Being on the panel meant that I got a VIP pass and was invited to the special lunch with Radio 1 broadcaster Trevor Nelson (see image above!) He was a really down to earth guy and had time to chat with everyone, which was really nice. Being on the Q & A panel was a really good thing for me. It was about setting up your own business and it was really great to hear that all the others were experiencing the same things as me - the roller coaster of emotions, finding it hard to get motivated and then finding it hard to stop working etc etc. Made a big change for me to hear all that; nobody ever discusses the bad bits when you're in business so you can feel quite isolated when things aren't going exactly how you planned. But it was also really motivating to hear that not one of us would change a thing about it. Now I've set up my own business I really can't imagine doing anything else, and I don't want to either! I really have to thank my colleagues on the Enterprise Inc Program for their honesty and helping me kick myself back into gear. In particular, the lovely ladies from Kindred Sole, Rachael Smith from Rachael Smith Illustration , the gents from Head and Griffiths, Michael from Lighthouse Fashion Photography and Yaqub Shabudin from Pigment Design Studios. You guys made my day.

Trevor Nelson's keynotes speech was really good too. He talked passionately about the path of his career, integrity, longevity and being your own brand. He also said to keep going and keep trying and eventually you will get there. You can never truly gauge how well you're doing in terms of the public's opinion and building your brand and reputation, and sometimes it can feel that no-one is paying attention but they are and you just have to keep going. I thought this was good advice and made me feel better that everyone goes through the same thoughts and feelings. Trevor said the most important thing was to do something you were truly passionate about. I am and it has made me more determined to really go for this and do as much as I possibly can. The lows can be terrifying, but the highs are extreme. I know it's all worth it in the end so I just have to keep going - with a smile on my face.

Over and Out,
Jenny

@DJTrevorNelson
www.lighthousefashion.co.uk @LHFPhotography
www.kindredsole.com @KindredSole @lizze_leary @bethellie
www.rachaelsmith.org @rachael_
www.headandgriffiths.co.uk @HeadGriffiths